And the people of Reuben built Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Hebrew text uses the word "built" for these cities, but it doesn't mean they constructed them from scratch. Instead, they likely repaired and fortified existing cities that were once prominent Amorite strongholds, securing them for their families and livestock before the rest of Israel entered the Promised Land.
And the people of Reuben built Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim,
English Standard Version (ESV)
After conquering the lands east of the Jordan, the tribes of Reuben and Gad requested to settle there instead of crossing into Canaan. Moses agreed, provided they send armed warriors to help the other tribes conquer the Promised Land before returning to their new homes. This verse lists some of the cities the Reubenites rebuilt and settled in this conquered territory.
The Reubenites didn't just move into empty land; they claimed cities with a history. Discover the significance of these specific locations.
The verse lists specific cities that the Reubenites built: Heshbon, Elealeh, and Kiriathaim. These weren't new settlements from scratch, but rather existing cities that the Israelites, specifically the Reubenites, fortified and occupied after conquering the Amorites.
A Rich History
By 'building' these cities, the Reubenites were likely repairing and strengthening existing structures to make them suitable for their families and livestock, as they agreed to do before crossing the Jordan.
Why were these cities important for Reuben? It wasn't just about finding a home; it was tied to a promise made before entering the Promised Land.
The settling of the Reubenites and Gadites on the east side of the Jordan wasn't a simple land grab. It was part of a conditional agreement brokered by Moses.
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This verse, detailing Reuben's 'building,' is the fulfillment of that promise. They established their homes and families in these reclaimed cities after their military service was complete, ensuring the rest of Israel could inherit their portions.
Understand the original words
amim · Hebrew Noun
One of the groups descended from the patriarch Jacob/Israel. Throughout the Old Testament, this term identifies the covenant community who are the recipients of God's promises and laws, and who serve as His witnesses among the nations.
These cities were not newly built but were established or fortified by the Reubenites after conquering them from the Amorites, serving as their new home while they fulfilled their promise to aid the other tribes in conquering the land west of the Jordan.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites enter Canaan
After 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, begin conquering and dividing the Promised Land of Canaan.
During the conquest of Canaan
Conquest of Sihon and Og
The Israelites decisively defeat Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, conquering their territories east of the Jordan River.
During the conquest of Canaan
Reuben and Gad request land east of Jordan
The tribes of Reuben and Gad, having vast herds, ask Moses to settle in the newly conquered lands east of the Jordan River, rather than crossing into Canaan proper.
During the conquest of Canaan
Moses grants land east of Jordan
Moses agrees to let Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh settle east of the Jordan, provided they send warriors to help the other tribes conquer the land west of the Jordan.
After the conquest of Canaan— this verse
Reubenites settle Heshbon and surrounding cities
The tribe of Reuben claims and begins to fortify/rebuild cities in their allocated territory, including Heshbon, Elealeh, and Kirjathaim.
Later
Loss of cities to Moab
Many of the cities settled by Reuben, including Heshbon, were eventually lost to the Moabites, as prophesied by Isaiah and Jeremiah.
This passage lists the cities that were specifically allotted to the tribe of Reuben, including Heshbon and Elealeh, providing further detail on their inheritance after the conquest.
Deuteronomy 2:26-36This account describes Moses' initial request to pass through the land of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who ruled over cities like Heshbon before Israel conquered it, setting the stage for Reuben's later occupation.
Isaiah 15:2-4This prophecy lamenting the fall of Moab mentions Heshbon and Elealeh, indicating that these cities, after being rebuilt and occupied by Reuben, eventually came under Moabite control again, showing the shifting political landscape of the region.
Numbers 21:25-30This earlier chapter details Israel's conquest of Heshbon from King Sihon, providing the historical context for why this city was available for the tribe of Reuben to occupy and rebuild.
gillNumbers 32:37: "And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim,"
And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim. Heshbon was the royal city of Sihon king of the Amorites, and Elealeh was within a mile of it, see Numbers 32:3 , this shows that those cities were not built anew properly, only repaired, for they were cities in being long before; besides, they had not time to build new cities, for in a few months after this they passed over Jordan; thoug…
calvinNumbers 32:1-42: "Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle;"
Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, because they have not wholly followed me:
Si videbunt homines qui ascenderunt ex AEgypto, a filio viginti armorum…
The Hebrew text uses the word "built" for these cities, but it doesn't mean they constructed them from scratch. Instead, they likely repaired and fortified existing cities that were once prominent Amorite strongholds, securing them for their families and livestock before the rest of Israel entered the Promised Land.
After conquering the lands east of the Jordan, the tribes of Reuben and Gad requested to settle there instead of crossing into Canaan. Moses agreed, provided they send armed warriors to help the other tribes conquer the Promised Land before returning to their new homes. This verse lists some of the cities the Reubenites rebuilt and settled in this conquered territory.
After conquering the lands east of the Jordan, the tribes of Reuben and Gad requested to settle there instead of crossing into Canaan. Moses agreed, provided they send armed warriors to help the other tribes conquer the Promised Land before returning to their new homes. This verse lists some of the cities the Reubenites rebuilt and settled in this conquered territory.
"And the people of Reuben built Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim," — The Hebrew text uses the word "built" for these cities, but it doesn't mean they constructed them from scratch. Instead, they likely repaired and fortified existing cities that were once prominent Am…
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Last reviewed October 2026