Numbers 32:22
New International Version
then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free from your obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will be your possession before the LORD.

New Living Translation
then you may return when the LORD has conquered the land. You will have fulfilled your duty to the LORD and to the rest of the people of Israel. And the land on the east side of the Jordan will be your property from the LORD.

English Standard Version
and the land is subdued before the LORD; then after that you shall return and be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel, and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will belong to you as a possession before the LORD.

King James Bible
And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.

New King James Version
and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you may return and be blameless before the LORD and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you may return and be free of obligation toward the LORD and toward Israel, and this land shall be yours as property before the LORD.

NASB 1995
and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you shall return and be free of obligation toward the LORD and toward Israel, and this land shall be yours for a possession before the LORD.

NASB 1977
and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you shall return and be free of obligation toward the LORD and toward Israel, and this land shall be yours for a possession before the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
and the land is subdued before Yahweh, then afterward you shall return and be free of obligation toward Yahweh and toward Israel, and this land shall be yours for a possession before Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
and the land [west of the Jordan] is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you shall return and be blameless [in this matter] before the LORD and before Israel, and this land [east of the Jordan] shall be yours as a possession before the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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.

American Standard Version
and the land is subdued before Jehovah; then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless towards Jehovah, and towards Israel; and this land shall be unto you for a possession before Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
then after the LORD helps Israel capture the land, you can return to your own land. You will no longer have to stay with the others.

English Revised Version
and the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless towards the LORD, and towards Israel; and this land shall be unto you for a possession before the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
and the land is conquered. Then you may come back. You will have fulfilled your military duty to the LORD and Israel. This land will be your own property in the LORD's presence.

Good News Translation
and takes possession of the land. After that, you may return, because you will have fulfilled your obligation to the LORD and to the other Israelites. Then the LORD will acknowledge that this land east of the Jordan is yours.

International Standard Version
and subjugated the land before him, then afterwards when you return, you'll be able to stand blameless before the LORD and before Israel. This land will then be your possession before the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will belong to you as a possession before the LORD.

NET Bible
and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you may return and be free of your obligation to the LORD and to Israel. This land will then be your possession in the LORD's sight.

New Heart English Bible
and the land is subdued before the LORD; then afterward you shall return, and be guiltless towards the LORD, and towards Israel; and this land shall be to you for a possession before the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the land shall be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.

World English Bible
and the land is subdued before Yahweh; then afterward you shall return, and be clear of obligation to Yahweh and to Israel. Then this land shall be your possession before Yahweh.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the land has been subdued before YHWH, then afterward you return, and have been acquitted by YHWH and by Israel, and this land has been to you for a possession before YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
and the land hath been subdued before Jehovah -- then afterwards ye do turn back, and have been acquitted by Jehovah, and by Israel; and this land hath been to you for a possession before Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the land subdued before Jehovah: and afterwards ye shall turn back, and be unpunished from Jehovah and from Israel; and this land shall be to you for a possession before Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And all the land be brought under him, then shall you be blameless before the Lord and before Israel, and you shall obtain the countries that you desire, before the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and all the land is subjected to him. Then you will be guiltless with the Lord and with Israel, and you will obtain the regions which you desire before the Lord.

New American Bible
and the land is subdued before the LORD, then you may return here, free from every obligation to the LORD and to Israel, and this land will be your possession before the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
and the land is subdued before the LORD—then after that you may return and be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel, and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the land is subdued before the LORD; then after that you shall return and be guiltless before the LORD and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the land will be subdued before LORD JEHOVAH then, and you will return and you will be declared guiltless by LORD JEHOVAH and by Israel, and you shall have this land for an inheritance before LORD JEHOVAH.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and the land be subdued before the LORD, and ye return afterward; then ye shall be clear before the LORD, and before Israel, and this land shall be unto you for a possession before the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and the land shall be subdued before the Lord, then afterwards ye shall return, and be guiltless before the Lord, and as regards Israel; and this land shall be to you for a possession before the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Tribes East of the Jordan
21and if every one of your armed men crosses the Jordan before the LORD, until He has driven His enemies out before Him, 22then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will belong to you as a possession before the LORD. 23But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD—and be assured that your sin will find you out.…

Cross References
Joshua 22:4
And now that the LORD your God has given your brothers rest as He promised them, you may return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you across the Jordan.

Deuteronomy 3:18-20
At that time I commanded you: “The LORD your God has given you this land to possess. All your men of valor are to cross over, armed for battle, ahead of your brothers, the Israelites. / But your wives, your children, and your livestock—I know that you have much livestock—may remain in the cities I have given you, / until the LORD gives rest to your brothers as He has to you, and they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them across the Jordan. Then each of you may return to the possession I have given you.”

Joshua 1:13-15
“Remember what Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you when he said, ‘The LORD your God will give you rest, and He will give you this land.’ / Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But all your mighty men of valor must be armed for battle to cross over ahead of your brothers and help them, / until the LORD gives them rest as He has done for you, and your brothers also possess the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you may return to the land of your inheritance and take possession of that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the east side of the Jordan.”

Joshua 21:43-45
Thus the LORD gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their fathers, and they took possession of it and settled in it. / And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. / Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel had failed; everything was fulfilled.

Joshua 11:23
So Joshua took the entire land, in keeping with all that the LORD had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to the allotments to their tribes. Then the land had rest from war.

Joshua 22:1-6
Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh / and told them, “You have done all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and you have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you. / All this time you have not deserted your brothers, up to this very day, but have kept the charge given you by the LORD your God. ...

Hebrews 4:8-10
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. / There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. / For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.

Joshua 23:14
Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and soul that not one of the good promises the LORD your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed.

1 Kings 8:56
“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses.

Deuteronomy 31:7-8
Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. / The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

Joshua 18:1
Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. And though the land was subdued before them,

Judges 2:6
After Joshua had dismissed the people, the Israelites went out to take possession of the land, each to his own inheritance.

Joshua 13:1-7
Now Joshua was old and well along in years, and the LORD said to him, “You are old and well along in years, but very much of the land remains to be possessed. / This is the land that remains: All the territory of the Philistines and the Geshurites, / from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites; ...

Joshua 14:1-5
Now these are the portions that the Israelites inherited in the land of Canaan, as distributed by Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families of the tribes of Israel. / Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses. / For Moses had given the inheritance east of the Jordan to the other two and a half tribes. But he granted no inheritance among them to the Levites. ...

Joshua 19:51
These are the inheritances that Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families distributed by lot to the tribes of Israel at Shiloh before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. So they finished dividing up the land.


Treasury of Scripture

And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward you shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.

land

Deuteronomy 3:20
Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan: and then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I have given you.

Joshua 10:30,42
And the LORD delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho…

Joshua 11:23
So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.

ye shall

Joshua 22:4,9
And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan…

be guiltless

Joshua 2:19
And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.

2 Samuel 3:28
And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:

this land

Deuteronomy 3:12-18
And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites…

Joshua 1:15
Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD'S servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.

Joshua 13:8,29-32
With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them; …

Jump to Previous
Acquitted Afterward Afterwards Clear Israel Obligation Possession Rule Subdued Towards Turn Wrong
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Acquitted Afterward Afterwards Clear Israel Obligation Possession Rule Subdued Towards Turn Wrong
Numbers 32
1. The Reubenites and Gadites ask for inheritance on the east side of Jordan
6. Moses reproves them
16. They offer him conditions with which he is content
33. Moses assigns them the land
39. They conquer it.














then when the land is subdued before the LORD
This phrase indicates the completion of a military conquest, emphasizing that the victory is attributed to the LORD's power and authority. The Israelites were to conquer the land of Canaan, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21). The subduing of the land signifies God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His covenant. The phrase "before the LORD" underscores that the conquest is not merely a human endeavor but a divine mandate, aligning with God's will and purpose.

you may return and be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel
This part of the verse addresses the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who requested to settle on the east side of the Jordan River. Their obligation was to assist the other tribes in conquering Canaan before returning to their chosen land. The phrase "free of obligation" implies a conditional promise; their duty to God and the nation of Israel is fulfilled only after they have participated in the collective mission. This reflects the biblical principle of communal responsibility and unity among God's people, as seen in the New Testament's emphasis on the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

And this land will belong to you as a possession before the LORD
The land east of the Jordan, including Gilead and Bashan, is granted to the tribes of Reuben and Gad as their inheritance. The phrase "as a possession before the LORD" indicates that their ownership is sanctioned by God, highlighting the divine allocation of land. This concept of land as a divine gift is central to Israel's identity and covenant relationship with God. It also foreshadows the eternal inheritance promised to believers in Christ (1 Peter 1:3-4), where the ultimate possession is not earthly but heavenly.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Tribes of Reuben and Gad
These tribes requested to settle on the east side of the Jordan River because the land was suitable for their livestock.

2. Moses
The leader of Israel who negotiated with the tribes of Reuben and Gad, ensuring they would help the other tribes conquer the land west of the Jordan before settling.

3. The Land of Canaan
The Promised Land that the Israelites were to conquer and settle, as promised by God.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who promised the land to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

5. The Jordan River
The geographical boundary that the Israelites needed to cross to enter the Promised Land.
Teaching Points
Commitment to Community
The tribes of Reuben and Gad were reminded of their obligation to the larger community of Israel. This teaches us the importance of fulfilling our commitments to our community and church family.

Faithfulness to God's Commands
The passage emphasizes the necessity of obedience to God's commands. Our faithfulness is a testament to our relationship with God and our trust in His promises.

The Importance of Accountability
Moses held the tribes accountable to their promise, highlighting the role of accountability in spiritual growth and community life.

The Role of Leadership
Moses' leadership in negotiating and ensuring the tribes' commitment shows the importance of strong, godly leadership in guiding and maintaining unity within the community.

Possession and Inheritance
The concept of land as a possession before the LORD reminds us of our spiritual inheritance in Christ, which requires faithfulness and obedience to fully realize.(22) And this land shall be your possession before the Lord.--See Deuteronomy 3:12-20; Joshua 13:15-33.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
then when the land
הָאָ֜רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

is subdued
וְנִכְבְּשָׁ֨ה (wə·niḵ·bə·šāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3533: To subdue, bring into bondage

before
לִפְנֵ֤י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD,
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

you may return
תָּשֻׁ֔בוּ (tā·šu·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

and be
וִהְיִיתֶ֧ם (wih·yî·ṯem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

free
נְקִיִּ֛ים (nə·qî·yîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 5355: Clean, free from, exempt

of obligation to the LORD
מֵיְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and to Israel.
וּמִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (ū·mî·yiś·rā·’êl)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

And this
הַזֹּ֥את (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

land
הָאָ֨רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

will belong to
וְ֠הָיְתָה (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

you as a possession
לַאֲחֻזָּ֖ה (la·’ă·ḥuz·zāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 272: Something seized, a possession

before
לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Law: Numbers 32:22 And the land is subdued before Yahweh (Nu Num.)
Numbers 32:21
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