Numbers 32:15-42
turn <07725> [if ye turn.]
once <03254> [he will yet.]
destruction <07843> [ye shall.]
This proposal was very equitable, and it was honestly made and faithfully executed; though it did not imply that all men capable of bearing arms should go, and so leave their families and possessions defenceless, but only a sufficient detachment of them. Among the inhabitants of the land were the Ammonites, Moabites, Idumeans, and the remains of the Midianites and Amorites; and as it was impossible for the women and children to keep the defenced cities, when placed in them, many of the men of war must of course stay behind. In the last census (ch. 26), the tribe of Reuben consisted of 43,730 men; the tribe of Gad 40,500; and the tribe of Manasseh 52,700; the half of which is 26,350; which together amount to 110,580. Now from Jos 4:13, we learn, that of these tribes only 40,000 armed men passed over Jordan to assist their brethren: consequently 70,580 men were left behind for the defence of the women, the children, and the flocks: which was amply sufficient for this purpose.
inheritance <05157> [we will.]
inheritance <05159> [because.]
side .................. side <05676> [on this side.]
land ......................... land <0776> [land.]
return <07725> [ye shall.]
obligation <05355> [be guiltless.]
land ......................... land <0776> [this land.]
do <06213> [if ye will.]
know .... sin <02403 03045> [be sure your sin.]
If the persons concerned prevaricated, and so imposed on men, or if they afterwards refused to fulfil their engagement, God would most certainly detect and expose their wickedness, and inflict condign punishment upon them. Of all the ways, says Dr. South, to be taken for the prevention of that great plague of mankind, Sin, there is none so rational and efficacious as to confute and baffle those motives by which men are induced to embrace it; and among all such motives, the heart of man seems to be chiefly overpowered and prevailed upon by two, viz. secrecy in committing sin, and impunity with respect to its consequences. Accordingly, Moses, in this chapter, having to deal with a company of men suspected of a base and fraudulent design, though couched under a very fair pretence, as most such designs are, endeavours to quash it in its very conception, by secretly applying himself to encounter those secret motives and arguments, which he knew were the most likely to encourage them in it. And this he does very briefly, but effectually, by assuring them, that how covertly and artificially soever they might carry on their dark project, yet their sin would infallibly find them out. Though the subject and occasion of these words are indeed particular, yet the design of them is manifestly of an universal import, as reaching the case of all transgressors, in their first entrance on any sinful act or course.
servants <05650> [thy servants.]
armed <02502> [armed.]
lord <0113> [as my lord.]
Moses <04872> [Moses.]
half ... tribe <02677 07626> [half the.]
realm .......... realm <04467> [the kingdom.]
Dibon <01769> [Dibon.]
Eusebius says that Dibon was a large town, near the river Arnon. Burckhardt says, that when he was about an hour's distance north of the Modjeb or Arnon, he was shown to the N. E. the ruins of Diban, the ancient Dibon, situated in the low ground of the Koura, or plains of Moab.
Aroer <06177> [Aroer.]
Aroer was situated, according to Eusebius, on a mountain on the north bank of the river Arnon. This is confirmed by Burckhardt, who says it is called Araayr, and is seated on the edge of the precipice, at the foot of which the river flows.
Jazer <03270> [Jaazer.]
[Jazer]
Beth Nimrah <01039> [Beth-nimrah.]
Probably the same as Nimrim in Jer 48:34, and the Bethnabris mentioned by Eusebius, five miles north from Livias. Burckhardt says, that "in the valley of the Jordan, south of Abou Obeida, are the ruins of Nemrim, probably the Beth-nimrah of the Scriptures."
[Nimrah. fenced cities.]
Heshbon <02809> [Heshbon.]
[Eleahleh.]
Elealeh is placed, by Eusebius, a mile from Heshbon. It is now called El Aal, "the high," and is situated on a hill.
Nebo <05015> [Nebo.]
Baal Meon <01186> [Baal-meon.]
This town is placed, by Eusebius and Jerome, nine miles from Heshbon, at the foot of mount Abarim.
name ..... renamed ... cities <08034 05892 07121> [gave other names unto the cities. Heb. they called by names the names of the cities.]
Jair <02971> [Jair.]
Havvoth Jair <02334> [Havoth-jair.]
