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 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 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.
24 Build cities for your women and children, and pens for your flocks, but do what you have promised."
24 Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth.
24 Build cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep, and do what you have promised."
24 So, go ahead. Build towns for your families and corrals for you livestock. Do what you said you'd do."
24 Build cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep, and do what has proceeded out of your mouth."
24 Go ahead and build towns for your families and pens for your flocks, but do everything you have promised."
(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.
36 Beth Nimrah and Beth Haran as fortified cities, and built pens for their flocks.
36 And Bethnimrah,
36 Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran, fortified cities, and folds for sheep.
36 Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran as fortified cities; they also built corrals for their animals.
36 Beth Nimrah and Beth Haran, fortified cities, and folds for sheep.
36 Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran. These were all fortified towns with pens for their flocks.
(Read Numbers 32:28-42)
Concerning the settlement of these tribes, observe, that they built the cities, that is, repaired them. They changed the names of them; probably they were idolatrous, therefore they should be forgotten. A spirit of selfishness, of seeking our own, not the things of Christ, when each one ought to assist others, is as dangerous as it is common. It is impossible to be sincere in the faith, sensible of the goodness of God, constrained by the love of Christ, sanctified by the power of the Holy Ghost, and yet be indifferent to the progress of religion, and the spiritual success of others, through love of ease, or fear of conflict. Let then your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
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.