Numbers
Verse 3. Saban, and Nebo. These towns were afterwards retaken by the Moabites. Isaiah 15:2. 8.—Beon. Perhaps the same with Mehon, or Beth Baal Mehon. Joshua 13:17. Calmet.
EXPLANATIONS
Numbers 32
Historical chapter commentary
Numbers
Verse 5. Jordan. They are a figure of those who would possess heaven without labour. But none is crowned, except he strive lawfully. 2 Timothy 2:5. Worthington.
Numbers
Verse 7. Overturn. Hebrew nua, “to discourage,” ( Bible.) break, dissolve, and so forth verse 9. Menochius.—The same history is mentioned, (Deuteronomy 3:12. 18,) but without these reproaches. Calmet.
Numbers
Verse 11. If, and so forth They shall not see Chanaan. Menochius.—In Scripture, odious things are not fully expressed, particularly in oaths. Psalms 88:36 and 131:2. Calmet.—Hebrew “surely none … shall see … because they have not perfectly followed me.” Grot. Bible.
Numbers
Verse 12. Cenezite. His father was either called Cenez, or a part of the country of the Cenezites, being promised to Caleb at Cades-barne, he assumed his title. Joshua 14:6.
Numbers
Verse 13. Led, and so forth Septuagint “he rolled them over,” to denote their afflictions. Bible.
Numbers
Verse 15. Of all. Hebrew “if, or because you will not follow after him. He will stop them in the desert, and you will destroy all the people.” Septuagint “because you will turn away from him, to abandon him again in the desert, and you will sin against all this congregation.” God had decreed that all should go together to the conquest of the promised land; so that, if these children of Ruben and of Gad should refuse to comply, Moses was afraid that all might be ruined. Perceiving that his discourse turned on this subject, they approached with greater confidence, and shewed their readiness to fight for their brethren. Upon which Moses was satisfied. Bible.
Numbers
Verse 17. Cities, which in the space of two months they would repair sufficiently, so that their children might be protected against the Amorrhites, and so forth They left strong garrisons, very prudently, to keep possession of the conquered country: 70,580 remained in the cities; while 40,000 went before their brethren. See Calmet. 26:7. 18 and Joshua 4:13.
Numbers
Verse 19. Jordan. Hebrew adds, “or forward,” any where, in case fresh conquests be made. Calmet.
Numbers
Verse 20. Lord, or the ark, under the guidance and protection of God.
Numbers
Verse 21. Man, that may be required: Josue only took 40,000 for the vanguard. Bible.
Numbers
Verse 25. Ruben. No mention is made of those of the half tribe of Manasses. Perhaps they only joined the rest afterwards. Calmet. 5:31. They occupied the northern parts. Bible.—The Hebrew has here a solecism, “the sons of Gad he said;” to avoid which, Onkelos adds, the tribe, and so forth Houbig.
Numbers
Verse 26. Galaad. Only a small part of the territory properly went by that name, verse 39. Calmet.
Numbers
Verse 30. With you. Septuagint “armed for war before the Lord; take by force their baggage, wives and cattle, before you, into Chanaan, and let them have shares with you in Chanaan.” Bible.
Numbers
Verse 34. Built, or repaired; for they had been cities of the Amorrhites before.—Aroer was occupied by the Moabites after the Israelites were led into captivity. Jerem. 48:1. 19.
Numbers
Verse 35. Sophan. Some believe that this is the same city with Etroth, and that it took its name from Saphon, the son of Gad. Calmet. 26:15.—Jegbaa perhaps the Beon, verse 3. See Judges 8:11.
Numbers
Verse 36. Betharan, which Herod enlarged, and called Livias, south of Hesebon. Calmet.
Numbers
Verse 38. Nabo. Probably the same as Nebo and Nobe.—Baalmeon. This city had a variety of names, verse 3. 35. Those who rebuilt these cities gave them their own names, verse 42. Hebrew Targum of Jerus. Yet they were often known by their former appellations. Calmet.—The rebuilders chiefly objected to the names of idols, Baal, and so forth which were joined with these cities. Menochius.
Numbers
Verse 40. In it, by means of his descendants. For Machir must have been above 250 years old, if he were still alive. Many children are attributed to Machir and his father, Manasses, who were not their immediate offspring. The latter had only Machir, who survived him; Ezriel was probably a grandson of Machir, as he is styled the son of Galaad. Calmet. 26:31. Joshua 17:2. See 1 Chronicles 7. Adoptive and legal children are often confounded with those who are really born of a person, as also those places which are inhabited by his posterity. Calmet.
Numbers
Verse 41. Jair was born of Segub, the son of Esron, by a daughter of Machir, 1 Chronicles 1:21. He did not remain in the tribe of Juda, but dwelt in that of his mother, ( Calmet.) or perhaps he married a descendant of Machir, and obtained these villages. Seld. Suc. c. xviii.—Havoth, means “a circle of cabins or shepherds’ huts,” in Arabic. Bochart.
Numbers
Verse 42. Canath. This town is reckoned among those of Jair, (1 Chronicles 2:23,) either because Nobe conquered it under his banners, or because it fell to the share of Jair, after the death of Nobe. Calmet.