◄ Numbers 32:16 ►
And they came near to him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
Treasury of Scripture

This proposal was very equitable, and it was honestly made and faithfully executed; though it did not imply that all men capable of bearing arms should go, and so leave their families and possessions defenceless, but only a sufficient detachment of them. Among the inhabitants of the land were the Ammonites, Moabites, Idumeans, and the remains of the Midianites and Amorites; and as it was impossible for the women and children to keep the defenced cities, when placed in them, many of the men of war must of course stay behind. In the last census, the tribe of Reuben consisted of

43,730 men; the tribe of Gad

40,500; and the tribe of Manasseh

52,700; the half of which is

26,350; which together amount to

110,580. Now from

Joshua 4:13 About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD to battle, to the plains of Jericho.

we learn, that of these tribes only

40,000 armed men passed over Jordan to assist their brethren; consequently

70,580 men were left behind for the defence of the women, the children, and the flocks; which was amply sufficient for this purpose.

Genesis 34:22 Only herein will the men consent to us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised...

Genesis 33:17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle...



Context
Reuben and Gad Appease Moses

16And they came near to him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones: 17But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them to their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land. 18We will not return to our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance. 19For we will not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan, or forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward. 20And Moses said to them, If you will do this thing, if you will go armed before the LORD to war, 21And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he has driven out his enemies from before him, 22And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward you shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. 23But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. 24Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which has proceeded out of your mouth. 25And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spoke to Moses, saying, Your servants will do as my lord commands. 26Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead: 27But your servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord said. 28So concerning them Moses commanded Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel: 29And Moses said to them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan, every man armed to battle, before the LORD, and the land shall be subdued before you; then you shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession: 30But if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan. 31And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As the LORD has said to your servants, so will we do. 32We will pass over armed before the LORD into the land of Canaan, that the possession of our inheritance on this side Jordan may be ours.
Parallel Verses
American Standard Version
And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:

Douay-Rheims Bible
But they coming near, said: We will make sheepfolds, and stalls for our cattle, and strong cities for our children :

Darby Bible Translation
And they drew near to him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones;

King James Bible
And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:

Young's Literal Translation
And they come nigh unto him, and say, 'Folds for the flock we build for our cattle here, and cities for our infants;

Numbers 32:15
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