Numbers 32:1-9 ▼

1 The tribes of Reuben and Gad owned vast numbers of livestock. So when they saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were ideally suited for their flocks and herds,

2 they came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the other leaders of the community. They said,

3 “Notice the towns of Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sibmah, Nebo, and Beon.

4 The LORD has conquered this whole area for the community of Israel, and it is ideally suited for all our livestock.

5 If we have found favor with you, please let us have this land as our property instead of giving us land across the Jordan River.”

6 “Do you intend to stay here while your brothers go across and do all the fighting?” Moses asked the men of Gad and Reuben.

7 “Why do you want to discourage the rest of the people of Israel from going across to the land the LORD has given them?

8 Your ancestors did the same thing when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land.

9 After they went up to the valley of Eshcol and explored the land, they discouraged the people of Israel from entering the land the LORD was giving them.