Numbers 32:6 - Moses said to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, “Shall your brothers go to the war, and shall you sit here?

Generated Verse: Numbers 32:6

What does "Numbers 32:6" mean?


This verse, Numbers 32:6, captures Moses's sharp rebuke to the tribes of Gad and Reuben. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

Context: The tribes of Gad and Reuben, having seen the fertile land east of the Jordan River, which was captured from the Amorites, requested to settle there instead of crossing the Jordan into Canaan proper. They argued the land was ideal for their large herds of livestock.

"Shall your brothers go to the war...": This refers to the Israelite men who were expected to fight to conquer Canaan. It highlights the communal obligation of all tribes to participate in the conquest.

"...and shall you sit here?": This is the core of Moses's criticism. "Sit here" implies inaction, selfishness, and a lack of commitment to the larger Israelite community. Moses accuses them of prioritizing their personal comfort and economic advantage over the shared goal of conquering the Promised Land.

Meaning: Moses is accusing Gad and Reuben of being selfish and shirking their responsibilities to the other tribes. He sees their desire to settle east of the Jordan as a betrayal of the collective effort and a potential source of discouragement for the rest of the Israelites. He's worried they will demoralize the fighting men and cause the whole nation to fail.

In essence, Moses is challenging their loyalty, patriotism, and sense of shared destiny with the rest of the Israelite tribes. He emphasizes that the conquest of Canaan is a shared mission that requires everyone's participation and sacrifice.