Numbers 32:16-22 ▼

16 Then they approached him and said, “ We want to build sheepfolds here for our livestock and cities for our dependents.

17 But we will arm ourselves and be ready to go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them into their place. Meanwhile, our dependents will remain in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.

18 We will not return to our homes until each of the Israelites has taken possession of his inheritance.

19 Yet we will not have an inheritance with them across the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance will be across the Jordan to the east.”

20 Moses replied to them, “ If you do this  — if you arm yourselves for battle before the LORD,

21 and every one of your armed men crosses the Jordan before the LORD until He has driven His enemies from His presence,

22 and the land is subdued before the LORD  — afterward you may return and be free from obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will belong to you as a possession before the LORD.