32:1 the land of Jazer Numbers 21:32 distinguishes Jazer from the Heshbon region. See Deut 3:12–13; Josh 12:2, 5; 13:31.

32:2 Eleazar As the eldest living son of Aaron, Eleazar became high priest after his father died (Num 20:25–28). The allotment of the land involved assigning regions by lot (25:55–56), and Eleazar, as high priest was responsible for the Urim and Thummim used to determine such a matter (27:21; see note on Exod 28:30).

32:4 the land that Yahweh struck The tribes identify the areas they wish to settle by listing nine of the towns conquered in the region. Since Yahweh conquered the Transjordan, it was His land—just like Canaan. Consequently, He could give the land to Gad and Reuben. The division of the towns between the two tribes is noted in Num 32:34–38. The first four towns listed in v. 3 are assigned to Gad; the others go to Reuben. See ch. 21 and 31 (compare Deut 1:4, 2–3).

32:6 your brothers go to war while you yourselves live here Moses raises the objection that granting their request would essentially allow these two tribes to opt out of the conquest of the land for the rest of their countrymen, whose promised land is still unconquered. The military might of all 12 tribes is necessary for the upcoming task.

32:8 This is what your fathers did Moses disapproves of the request based on the negative precedent he witnessed before, when 10 of the 12 spies he sent to spy out the land of Canaan gave a bad report, based on fear (chs. 13–14). Moses suspects that Reuben and Gad, like the 10 spies from the previous generation, fear the giant Anakim and Rephaim tribes in Canaan and are making an excuse to remain to the east. Numbers 32:8–13 refer to chs. 13–14.

Giant Clans in the Old Testament

32:11 from those twenty years old and above Those of military age, included in the census of ch. 1.

I swore with an oath to Abraham For the promise of land to Abraham’s descendants, see Gen 12:1–3; 15:1–6, 18–20.

32:12 Caleb Caleb and Joshua were the two spies who gave a favorable report of the land and argued that the people should move ahead in faith.

Joshua Moses’ right-hand man and military general since the beginning of the Israelite’s trek in the wilderness (Exod 17:9). See note on Josh 1:1.

32:14 in the place of your fathers Moses accuses these people of being as rebellious and fearful as those who were destined to die in the wilderness because of their own stubbornness. Moses has good reason to believe this generation acts with the same heart, as they too complained as the previous generation had done (Num 20:1–13).

32:17 but we ourselves will become armed The tribes of Reuben and Gad promise they will fight in Canaan for the inheritance of their countrymen. Unlike the previous generation, they are unafraid. Having just seen the defeat of the giant Rephaim in the Transjordan, they have no reason to fear (see ch. 21; compare chs. 13–14). Moses accepts the compromise, as it allays his fears and suspicions, but not without emphasizing what will happen if they do not follow through on their promise (see v. 23).

32:22 be free of obligation Implies that the soldiers of Gad and Reuben took an oath with respect to their promise. See ch. 30.

32:23 behold, you have sinned against Yahweh In case Gad and Reuben have second thoughts and go back on their promise, Moses informs them that this decision will have consequences (see v. 30).

32:24 cities for your little children Moses gives Gad and Reuben time to secure their families and possessions before all the tribes move into Canaan to take the land. The task would involve rebuilding and repairing destroyed towns and other property.

32:26 the cities of Gilead Nine of these cities are named in v. 3.

32:27 everyone who is armed for Every man over the age of 20 (1:3).

my lord The people are referring to Moses. The Hebrew word adon means “lord” or “master.” Here it is spelled adoni (meaning “my lord”). When adon is used to refer to Yahweh, it is usually spelled adonai (Exod 5:22; 15:17).

32:28 Eleazar the priest, Joshua Eleazar, the high priest, and Joshua, Moses’ successor and military general, are the leaders who will take the Israelites into the promised land.

32:30 they will acquire land in your midst If Gad and Reuben go back on their promise, they would forfeit their preferred land in the Transjordan and live in Canaan instead. They had to fight with their countrymen in order to be allowed to live in this land. Moses gives the terms to Eleazar and Joshua since it will be up to them to hold the Gadites and Reubenites accountable.

32:33 to the descendants of Gad and the descendants of Reuben This grant fulfills the request of Reuben and Gad (see Num 32:1–5).

half of the tribe of Joseph’s son Manasseh This half-tribe is mentioned as part of the agreement here for the first time. They apparently asked for the same favor. Half of Manasseh settles in the Transjordan while the other half settles in Canaan proper (see Josh 22:7). Numbers 32:39–42 notes that they, too, played a major role in conquering the Transjordan region (compare 21:21–35). Three of the clans (sons) of Manasseh are mentioned specifically—Machir, Jair, and Nobah.

Sihon the king of Amorites and the kingdom of Og These land holdings were taken in 21:21–35; compare Deut 2–3. The kingdom of Og was the land of Bashan, which King Og had ruled.

32:39 Amorites who were in it The Amorites were weakened when the Israelites defeated King Sihon in 21:21–30, but they remained in the land. They are never fully removed.

32:41 Jair Possibly the same Jair who served as judge of Israel (Judg 10:3–5).

32:42 Nobah Probably a son of Manasseh, a clan of the tribe.

Kenath Located in eastern Bashan.