Bible Strands
Numbers 32:1
Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, and they saw that the region was suitable for livestock.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative describes the Reubenites and Gadites surveying the territory of Jazer and Gilead after the Israelite conquest of the Amorite villages in that region. This observation occurs immediately before they approach Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the tribal leaders to propose settling east of the Jordan.
The words — The text highlights their substantial wealth using the Hebrew terms מִקְנֶה (mikneh, "livestock") and עָצ֣וּם ('atzum, "numerous"). These terms literally convey that their herds and flocks were exceptionally large and belonged to the descendants of Reuben and Gad.
The thread — The connection between large livestock holdings and territorial assessment appears in Genesis 13:2 regarding Abram’s wealth and Genesis 13:10 when Lot evaluates the well-watered Jordan plain. The specific mention of Jazer also links back to Numbers 21:32, where Israelite troops previously captured its villages.
Why it lands — The verse records a pragmatic assessment of land suitability for animal husbandry before any negotiation begins. It requires the reader to note how material considerations directly shape the subsequent request to Moses and the tribal leaders.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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;
Cross-references
- Numbers 21:32 After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, Israel captured its villages and drove out the Amorites who were there.
- Genesis 13:2 And Abram had become extremely wealthy in livestock and silver and gold.
- Genesis 13:10 And Lot looked out and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan, all the way to Zoar, was well watered like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)
- Numbers 32:3 “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon,
- Numbers 32:35 Atroth-shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah,
- Genesis 13:5 Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.
- Genesis 29:32 And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.”
- Genesis 30:10 And Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son.
- Genesis 47:4 Then they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live in the land for a time, because there is no pasture for the flocks of your servants, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please allow your servants to settle in the land of Goshen.”
- Exodus 12:38 And a mixed multitude also went up with them, along with great droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.