16 And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
16 Then they came up to him and said, "We would like to build pens here for our livestock and cities for our women and children.
16 Then they came near to him and said, "We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones,
16 They came close to him and said, "All we want to do is build corrals for our livestock and towns for our families.
16 Then they came near to him and said: "We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones,
16 But they approached Moses and said, "We simply want to build pens for our livestock and fortified towns for our wives and children.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 32:16
Commentary on Numbers 32:16-27
(Read Numbers 32:16-27)
Here is the good effect of plain dealing. Moses, by showing their sin, and the danger of it, brought them to their duty, without murmuring or disputing. All men ought to consider the interests of others as well as their own; the law of love requires us to labour, venture, or suffer for each other as there may be occasion. They propose that their men of war should go ready armed before the children of Israel into the land of Canaan, and that they should not return till the conquest of Canaan was ended. Moses grants their request, but he warns them of the danger of breaking their word. If you fail, you sin against the Lord, and not against your brethren only; God will certainly reckon with you for it. Be sure your sin will find you out. Sin will surely find out the sinner sooner or later. It concerns us now to find our sins out, that we may repent of them, and forsake them, lest they find us out to our ruin.