Bible Strands
Numbers 32:16
Then the Gadites and Reubenites approached Moses and said, “We want to build sheepfolds here for our livestock and cities for our little ones.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Gadites and Reubenites approach Moses to propose settling east of the Jordan before the conquest begins. They speak directly to him immediately after his warning about the consequences of abandoning the campaign.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיִּגְּשׂוּ (va.yi.geshu) means “they drew near,” describing their physical approach, followed by נִבְנֶה (nivneh), “we will build,” which states their immediate construction plan. These terms anchor the verse in a concrete logistical proposal rather than abstract devotion.
The thread — The request to build livestock shelters echoes Jacob’s construction of shelters at Succoth in Genesis 33:17. The tribal settlement pattern parallels the territorial leadership structure outlined in Numbers 34:22.
Why it lands — The text records a practical request to secure family and property before military campaigns. It asks a reader to observe how tribal leaders negotiate land allocation within a broader divine mandate.
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
And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
Cross-references
- Genesis 33:17 but Jacob went on to Succoth, where he built a house for himself and shelters for his livestock; that is why the place was called Succoth.
- Numbers 34:22 Bukki son of Jogli, a leader from the tribe of Dan;