but we will take up arms, ready to go before the people of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. And our little ones shall live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse reveals that the "little ones" are not just children, but represent the entire defenseless population—wives, elderly, and all who couldn't fight—who would be secured in fortified cities while the men went to war. Their safety was a deliberate provision, a practical arrangement to allow the fighting men to fulfill their duty to the rest of Israel, trusting God to protect those left behind.
but we will take up arms, ready to go before the people of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. And our little ones shall live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The tribes of Reuben and Gad, possessing vast herds, have just requested to settle on the fertile lands east of the Jordan River. Moses, initially stern, has acknowledged their proposal after they pledge to send armed men to fight alongside their brethren west of the Jordan until the Promised Land is fully conquered. This verse is their response, outlining their commitment: they will actively participate in the conquest, while ensuring their families are secured in fortified cities due to the lingering threats from the region's inhabitants.
These tribes chose a unique path: settling east of the Jordan while promising to fight alongside their brothers in the west. How does this division of labor reveal their commitment?
The tribes of Reuben and Gad, possessing large herds, saw fertile land east of the Jordan and desired to settle there.
A Strategic Compromise
Their request wasn't about shirking responsibility, but about a strategic division of labor. They pledged to equip themselves and go ahead of the rest of Israel into battle, fighting until the promised land was conquered. This meant they would leave their families and livestock temporarily in fortified cities on their side of the Jordan for safety.
The Covenantal Bond
This arrangement highlights a profound understanding of their covenant. They recognized that conquering the land was a collective task, and while they secured a home base for their families, they committed their fighting men to the arduous campaign west of the Jordan. It was a demonstration that their settlement didn't diminish their commitment to the whole nation's inheritance.
Why did they need fortified cities for their families? What does this reveal about their trust (or lack thereof) in God's protection?
The decision to settle in fortified cities east of the Jordan for their families was a practical measure born out of the realities of the ancient world.
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The Threat of the Land
Even after significant victories, the land of Canaan and its surrounding territories were still inhabited by various peoples. These 'inhabitants of the land' posed a potential threat to those left behind – the women, children, and the elderly.
A Layer of Security
Fortified cities provided a necessary layer of defense. It wasn't necessarily a sign of mistrust in God, but rather an acknowledgment of the need for human diligence and preparation while the men were away fighting. Their faith was in God's ultimate provision and protection, but they also acted wisely by securing their vulnerable population. This allowed the men to engage in the war without the constant worry for their families' immediate safety.
Understand the original words
chaluts · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
The act of preparing for battle; signifies military readiness and commitment to a shared covenantal cause.
mivtsar · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Protected or walled settlements, reflecting the need for defense against the Canaanite peoples during the period of conquest.
This agreement highlights a crucial moment where practical needs (protecting families and livestock) met the divine command for conquest, showing a tension between securing immediate safety and fulfilling the larger mission.
c. 1406 BC
Israelites Cross the Jordan River
After 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites, led by Joshua, crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land. This marked the beginning of the conquest of Canaan.
c. 1406-1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
The Israelites began their military campaign to conquer the lands of Canaan. This involved a series of battles and sieges against the various inhabitants of the land.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Reuben and Gad Request Land East of Jordan
The tribes of Reuben and Gad, having vast herds, saw the fertile lands east of the Jordan River and requested to settle there, rather than crossing over to Canaan.
c. 1406 BC
Moses Agrees to Reuben and Gad's Request
Moses agreed to their request on the condition that their fighting men would first cross the Jordan and help the other tribes conquer Canaan before returning to their new territory.
c. 1406 BC
Reuben and Gad Prepare Their Families' Security
Before joining the main conquest, the tribes of Reuben and Gad began building fortified cities east of the Jordan to protect their families and livestock.
c. 1406 BC
40,000 Soldiers Cross to Fight
Approximately 40,000 armed men from Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh crossed the Jordan River to assist their brethren in the conquest of Canaan.
This passage directly follows the conquest and describes Moses' command for the men of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh to arm themselves and go before the rest of the Israelites into the promised land, mirroring the commitment made in Numbers 32:17.
Deuteronomy 3:18-20Moses reminds the tribes of Reuben and Gad of their pledge to fight alongside their brethren until the land is subdued, highlighting the agreement that the armed men would go over the Jordan before the Lord, just as stated in Numbers 32:17.
Genesis 49:3-4This prophetic blessing by Jacob on Reuben speaks of his strength and primacy, which resonates with the Reubenites' willingness to be 'ready armed' and go first into battle for their people, as promised in Numbers 32:17.
Exodus 34:24This verse offers a divine assurance that if Israel goes to war, God will protect their land and possessions, providing a theological underpinning for the faith and trust required by the tribes of Reuben and Gad to leave their families protected in fortified cities while they fought.
bensonNumbers 32:17: "But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land."
Numbers 32:17 . We ourselves will go — Either all, or as many of us as shall be thought necessary, leaving only so many as may be requisite to provide for the support and defence of our wives and children. Because of the inhabitants of the land — The Moabites and Edomites, or…
wesleyNumbers 32:17: "But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land."
32:17 We ourselves - Either all, or as many as shall be thought necessary, leaving only so many as may be necessary to provide for the sustenance and defence of our wives and children here.
This verse reveals that the "little ones" are not just children, but represent the entire defenseless population—wives, elderly, and all who couldn't fight—who would be secured in fortified cities while the men went to war. Their safety was a deliberate provision, a practical arrangement to allow the fighting men to fulfill their duty to the rest of Israel, trusting God to protect those left behind.
The tribes of Reuben and Gad, possessing vast herds, have just requested to settle on the fertile lands east of the Jordan River. Moses, initially stern, has acknowledged their proposal after they pledge to send armed men to fight alongside their brethren west of the Jordan until the Promised Land is fully conquered. This verse is their response, outlining their commitment: they will actively participate in the conquest, while ensuring their families are secured in fortified cities due to the lingering threats from the region's inhabitants.
The tribes of Reuben and Gad, possessing vast herds, have just requested to settle on the fertile lands east of the Jordan River. Moses, initially stern, has acknowledged their proposal after they pledge to send armed men to fight alongside their brethren west of the Jordan until the Promised Land is fully conquered. This verse is their response, outlining their commitment: they will actively participate in the conquest, while ensuring their families are secured in fortified cities due to the lingering threats from the region's inhabitants.
"but we will take up arms, ready to go before the people of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. And our little ones shall live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land." — This verse reveals that the "little ones" are not just children, but represent the entire defenseless population—wives, elderly, and all who couldn't fight—who would be secured in fortified cities wh…
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Last reviewed October 2026