Numbers 32 - Introduction

The assignment of land to tribes on the east of Jordan

The chapter as a whole is the work of P, but Numbers 32:39; Numbers 32:41f. are much earlier, and must be assigned either to J E or to an ancient document akin to J E.

The writers of Israelite history felt it to be a matter of importance to explain how it was that certain of the tribes lived on the east of Jordan, separate from the main body of the nation. The traditions bearing on the subject differed greatly in many details, and the results are somewhat confusing. It will be noticed that, with the exception of Numbers 32:33; Numbers 32:39, the chapter deals only with Reuben and Gad. These two tribes asked permission to settle east of the Jordan because they possessed large herds and flocks (Numbers 32:1). Moses was angry at what appeared to be their wish to desert the main body, and said that they would discourage the rest of Israel in their efforts to win Canaan (Numbers 32:6). But they explained that they were willing, after having built dwelling-places for their cattle and families, to go with the rest of Israel until the conquests west of Jordan were completed (Numbers 32:16). And to this Moses consented, charging Eleazar and Joshua to see that it was carried out (Numbers 32:20). The names of their towns are enumerated in Numbers 32:34. They lay in the territory which Israel had already taken from Sihon (Numbers 21:21-32).

But there are two elements in the chapter which cause confusion. (1) In Numbers 32:33 the half tribe of Manassehis coupled with Reuben and Gad as receiving this territory from Moses; and in Numbers 32:40 Moses gives it to Machir, a -son," i.e. a clan or division, of Manasseh. It seems probable, therefore, that the words in Numbers 32:33, -and unto the half tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph" (or perhaps the whole verse), and Numbers 32:40 are later additions to P's narrative, The tradition which assigned the land to Reuben and Gad only is less well known than that which included the half tribe of Manasseh, because the latter appears frequently elsewhere; see Deuteronomy 3:12 f., Numbers 4:43; Numbers 29:7 f.; Joshua 12:6; Joshua 13:29; Joshua 13:31; Joshua 14:3; Joshua 18:7. (2) In Numbers 32:39; Numbers 32:41f. the fact that Sihon's territory had already been conquered is disregarded, and portions of the tribe of Manasseh, represented by three clans, Machir, Jair, and Nobah, are related to have attacked Gilead on their own account. Now in Joshua 17:14 the -house of Joseph" (i.e. Ephraim and Manasseh) had -one lot only," which was in the central hills on the west of Jordan. It seems therefore that at first the Manassites as a whole settled west of the Jordan, and that at a later time some of them made expeditions and gained land on the east. It may therefore be concluded that Numbers 32:39; Numbers 32:41are not in their right position. They have been extracted from a much earlier account, such as we have in Judges 1, of the efforts of individual tribes, after Moses" death, to establish themselves in the country. See also note on Numbers 32:41.