The Transjordan Tribes

32 The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks,^(A) saw that the lands of Jazer^(B) and Gilead^(C) were suitable for livestock.^{(D) 2} So they came to Moses and Eleazar the priest and to the leaders of the community,^(E) and said, ³ “Ataroth,^(F) Dibon,^(G) Jazer,^(H) Nimrah,^(I) Heshbon,^(J) Elealeh,^(K) Sebam,^(L) Nebo^(M) and Beon^(N)— ⁴ the land the Lord subdued^(O) before the people of Israel—are suitable for livestock,^(P) and your servants have livestock. ⁵ If we have found favor in your eyes,” they said, “let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.^(Q)”

⁶ Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, “Should your fellow Israelites go to war while you sit here?

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.”