Tyndale Open Study NotesNumbers 32

After Israel took control of the central area east of the Jordan River, during the battles described in chapter 21, they began preparing to enter Canaan.

At that time, the Israelites needed to remain united. But two tribes asked for permission to settle on the east side of the Jordan River instead of crossing into Canaan.

• very large herds and flocks: The Israelites had flocks and herds when they left Egypt (see Exodus 12:38). They gained more animals as plunder in the war with Midian (see Numbers 31:32–33). They might have also gained it in their victories over Sihon and Og (see 21:21–35).

• Gilead can refer to either the entire northern region of the plateau east of the Jordan River (for example, 32:29). It can also refer only to the land between the Jabbok River and the Arnon River.

• Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh settled in the land Israel had recently captured from Sihon the Amorite and Og of Bashan (see 21:21–35).

• Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, and Elealeh have been connected with known archaeological sites. These places have been identified with ruins that researchers have studied.

• The location of Sebam is unknown.

• The exact location of the town called Nebo is not known. However, it was likely near a mountain or ridge with the same name. This mountain stood along the steep slope (escarpment) that rises above the northern end of the Dead Sea.

• The place called Beon is almost certainly the same as “Baal-meon” in 32:38. It likely matches the ruins at Ma’in.

Moses assumed that Reuben and Gad wanted to stay east of the Jordan River to avoid the dangers that awaited the other tribes in Canaan (compare chapters 13–14).

Caleb is identified as a Kenizzite, a descendant of Esau (see Genesis 36:10–11). This suggests that Caleb was not born as an Israelite. He may have been a convert (someone who joined Israel’s faith). Even so, he became fully part of Israel’s life and worship.

Later, Caleb represented the tribe of Judah when Moses sent out the twelve spies to explore the promised land (Numbers 13:6).

The Reubenites and Gadites assured Moses that they would not discourage their fellow Israelites and would support the war to its very end. There were still dangers east of the Jordan River, so they wanted to keep their livestock and families safe.

Moses agreed to the terms offered by Reuben and Gad. If they helped their relatives fight the Canaanites, they would fulfill their part of the agreement. Then they could return to their settlements east of the Jordan River (32:22). If they did not keep their promise, it would be a serious sin against God (32:23).

Reuben and Gad kept their promise (Joshua 4:12–13; 22:1–9).

Israel's leaders were Eleazar, Joshua, and the heads of clans. They would help enforce the commands of Moses since he would soon die (compare Joshua 22:1–2).

Gad and Reuben reaffirmed their pledge before all of Israel’s leaders.

• The tribes of Gad and Reuben, along with half the tribe of Manasseh, settled east of the Jordan River (for example, Deuteronomy 3:12–13; 4:43; 29:7–8). These tribes lived in lands and towns captured from King Sihon the Amorite and King Og of Bashan (Numbers 32:33; see 21:21–35).

• Half the tribe of Manasseh suddenly appears in the discussion about distributing the land. Part of Manasseh's tribe settled east of the Jordan River, while another part settled in Canaan, west of the Jordan (compare Joshua 17:1–12; 22:7).

The exact locations of Atroth-shophan, Jogbehah, and Beth-haran are unknown. Aroer was on the northern edge of the Arnon canyon.

Some towns may have received new names to remove connections with pagan gods. For example, Baal was the name of a well-known Canaanite god. Nebo was the name of a Babylonian god (see Isaiah 46:1). However, this passage does not give the new names of those towns.

• Three clans of Manasseh conquered part of Gilead and Bashan (compare Deuteronomy 3:13–15; Joshua 13:29–31). The exact location of Nobah is still unknown (compare Judges 8:11).

• Havvoth-jair: Compare Deuteronomy 3:14; Joshua 13:30; Judges 10:4; 1 Kings 4:13; 1 Chronicles 2:21–23).