Numbers 32:16-42

New International Version

¹⁶ Then they came up to him and said, “We would like to build pens^(A) here for our livestock^(B) and cities for our women and children. ¹⁷ But we will arm ourselves for battle^[a] and go ahead of the Israelites^(C) until we have brought them to their place.^(D) Meanwhile our women and children will live in fortified cities, for protection from the inhabitants of the land. ¹⁸ We will not return to our homes until each of the Israelites has received their inheritance.^{(E) 19} We will not receive any inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan, because our inheritance^(F) has come to us on the east side of the Jordan.”^(G)

²⁰ Then Moses said to them, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the Lord for battle^{(H) 21} and if all of you who are armed cross over the Jordan before the Lord until he has driven his enemies out before him^(I)— ²² then when the land is subdued before the Lord, you may return^(J) and be free from your obligation to the Lord and to Israel. And this land will be your possession^(K) before the Lord.^(L)

²³ “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.^{(M) 24} Build cities for your women and children, and pens for your flocks,^(N) but do what you have promised.^(O)”

²⁵ The Gadites and Reubenites said to Moses, “We your servants will do as our lord commands.^{(P) 26} Our children and wives, our flocks and herds will remain here in the cities of Gilead.^{(Q) 27} But your servants, every man who is armed for battle, will cross over to fight^(R) before the Lord, just as our lord says.”

²⁸ Then Moses gave orders about them^(S) to Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun^(T) and to the family heads of the Israelite tribes.^{(U) 29} He said to them, “If the Gadites and Reubenites, every man armed for battle, cross over the Jordan with you before the Lord, then when the land is subdued before you,^(V) you must give them the land of Gilead as their possession.^{(W) 30} But if they do not cross over^(X) with you armed, they must accept their possession with you in Canaan.^(Y)”

³¹ The Gadites and Reubenites answered, “Your servants will do what the Lord has said.^{(Z) 32} We will cross over before the Lord into Canaan armed,^(AA) but the property we inherit will be on this side of the Jordan.^(AB)”

³³ Then Moses gave to the Gadites,^(AC) the Reubenites and the half-tribe of Manasseh^(AD) son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites^(AE) and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan^(AF)—the whole land with its cities and the territory around them.^(AG)

³⁴ The Gadites built up Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer,^{(AH) 35} Atroth Shophan, Jazer,^(AI) Jogbehah,^{(AJ) 36} Beth Nimrah^(AK) and Beth Haran as fortified cities, and built pens for their flocks.^{(AL) 37} And the Reubenites rebuilt Heshbon,^(AM) Elealeh^(AN) and Kiriathaim,^{(AO) 38} as well as Nebo^(AP) and Baal Meon (these names were changed) and Sibmah.^(AQ) They gave names to the cities they rebuilt.

³⁹ The descendants of Makir^(AR) son of Manasseh went to Gilead,^(AS) captured it and drove out the Amorites^(AT) who were there. ⁴⁰ So Moses gave Gilead to the Makirites,^(AU) the descendants of Manasseh, and they settled there. ⁴¹ Jair,^(AV) a descendant of Manasseh, captured their settlements and called them Havvoth Jair.^{[b](AW) 42} And Nobah captured Kenath^(AX) and its surrounding settlements and called it Nobah^(AY) after himself.^(AZ)