Numbers 32:27
New International Version
But your servants, every man who is armed for battle, will cross over to fight before the LORD, just as our lord says.”

New Living Translation
But all who are able to bear arms will cross over to fight for the LORD, just as you have said.”

English Standard Version
but your servants will pass over, every man who is armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord orders.”

Berean Standard Bible
But your servants are equipped for war, and every man will cross over to the battle before the LORD, just as our lord says.”

King James Bible
But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith.

New King James Version
but your servants will cross over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, just as my lord says.”

New American Standard Bible
while your servants, that is, everyone who is armed for war, cross over in the presence of the LORD to battle, just as my lord says.”

NASB 1995
while your servants, everyone who is armed for war, will cross over in the presence of the LORD to battle, just as my lord says.”

NASB 1977
while your servants, everyone who is armed for war, will cross over in the presence of the LORD to battle, just as my lord says.”

Legacy Standard Bible
but your servants, everyone who is armed for war, will cross over in the presence of Yahweh to battle, just as my lord says.”

Amplified Bible
But your servants will cross over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to the battle, just as my lord says.”

Christian Standard Bible
but your servants are equipped for war before the LORD and will go across to the battle as my lord orders.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but your servants are equipped for war before the LORD and will go across to the battle as my lord orders.”

American Standard Version
but thy servants will pass over, every man that is armed for war, before Jehovah to battle, as my lord saith.

Contemporary English Version
But those of us who are prepared for battle will cross the Jordan and fight for the LORD.

English Revised Version
but thy servants will pass over, every man that is armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But in the LORD's presence we will all get ready for battle and go with you, as you have said."

Good News Translation
But all of us are ready to go into battle under the LORD's command. We will cross the Jordan and fight, just as you have said."

International Standard Version
but every soldier that we've equipped for battle will cross the Jordan River in the presence of the LORD, as our master has spoken."

Majority Standard Bible
But your servants are equipped for war, and every man will cross over to the battle before the LORD, just as our lord says.?

NET Bible
but your servants will cross over, every man armed for war, to do battle in the LORD's presence, just as my lord says."

New Heart English Bible
but your servants will pass over, every man who is armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord says."

Webster's Bible Translation
But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith.

World English Bible
but your servants will pass over, every man who is armed for war, before Yahweh to battle, as my lord says.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and your servants pass over, every armed one of the host, before YHWH, to battle, as my lord is saying.”

Young's Literal Translation
and thy servants pass over, every armed one of the host, before Jehovah, to battle, as my lord is saying.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And thy servants will pass over, all being armed, to war before Jehovah for battle, as my lord spake.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And we thy servants all well appointed will march on to the war, as thou, my lord, speakest.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And we, your servants, all well-equipped, will go forth to battle, just as you, our ruler, has spoken.”

New American Bible
all your servants will go across as armed troops before the LORD to battle, just as my lord says.”

New Revised Standard Version
but your servants will cross over, everyone armed for war, to do battle for the LORD, just as my lord orders.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But your servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD for battle, as our lord said.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And your Servants shall pass over when they are equipped in the army before LORD JEHOVAH for battle, as our Lord said.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
but thy servants will pass over, every man that is armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But thy servants will go over all armed and set in order before the Lord to battle, as our lord says.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Tribes East of the Jordan
26Our children, our wives, our livestock, and all our animals will remain here in the cities of Gilead. 27But your servants are equipped for war, and every man will cross over to the battle before the LORD, just as our lord says.” 28So Moses gave orders about them to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua son of Nun, and to the family leaders of the tribes of Israel.…

Cross References
Joshua 1:14-15
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.”

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 4:12-13
The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over before the Israelites, armed for battle as Moses had instructed them. / About 40,000 troops armed for battle crossed over before the LORD into the plains of Jericho.

Judges 5:2
“When the princes take the lead in Israel, when the people volunteer, bless the LORD.

1 Chronicles 5:18-22
The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 warriors—valiant men who carried the shield and sword, drew the bow, and were trained for battle. / They waged war against the Hagrites, as well as Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. / And because they cried out to God in battle, they were helped against their enemies, and the Hagrites and all their allies were delivered into their hands. Because they put their trust in God, He answered their prayers. ...

Joshua 22:1-4
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. ...

Deuteronomy 20:8
Then the officers shall speak further to the army, saying, “Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him return home, so that the hearts of his brothers will not melt like his own.”

Exodus 13:18
So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt arrayed for battle.

1 Samuel 8:20
Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”

2 Chronicles 14:8
Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin bearing small shields and drawing the bow. All these were mighty men of valor.

1 Samuel 25:13
And David said to his men, “Strap on your swords!” So David and all his men strapped on their swords, and about four hundred men followed David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.

2 Kings 4:13
and Elisha said to Gehazi, “Now tell her, ‘Look, you have gone to all this trouble for us. What can we do for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’” “I have a home among my own people,” she replied.

Matthew 8:9
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one to go, and he goes, and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it.”

Luke 7:8
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one to go, and he goes, and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it.”

Hebrews 11:33-34
who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.


Treasury of Scripture

But your servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord said.

thy servants

Joshua 4:12
And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them:

armed

Numbers 32:17
But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land.

2 Corinthians 10:4,5
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) …

Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might…

as my lord

Numbers 11:28
And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.

Numbers 12:11
And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.

Numbers 36:2
And they said, The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters.

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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.














But your servants are equipped for war
This phrase indicates readiness and preparation for battle, highlighting the commitment of the tribes of Reuben and Gad. In the context of ancient Israel, being "equipped for war" involved not only physical weapons but also spiritual readiness, as battles were often seen as divinely guided. The Israelites' military organization and equipment are detailed in other parts of the Pentateuch, reflecting a structured approach to warfare. This readiness can be seen as a type of spiritual preparedness that Christians are called to have, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18, where believers are urged to put on the "full armor of God."

and every man will cross over to the battle
The commitment of "every man" underscores the collective responsibility and unity among the tribes. Crossing over to battle signifies a transition from the east side of the Jordan River to the west, where the Promised Land lay. This act of crossing over is symbolic of faith and obedience, reminiscent of the Israelites' earlier crossing of the Red Sea. It also prefigures the Christian concept of crossing from death to life through faith in Christ, as seen in John 5:24.

before the LORD
The phrase "before the LORD" indicates that the battle is not merely a physical struggle but a spiritual one, conducted under the watchful eye of God. This reflects the belief that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people, guiding and protecting them. The presence of the LORD in battle is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, as seen in the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17), where David acknowledges that the battle belongs to the LORD.

just as our lord says.
The term "our lord" refers to Moses, the leader and prophet of Israel, who conveyed God's commands to the people. This phrase emphasizes obedience to divinely appointed leadership and the importance of following God's instructions. It reflects the hierarchical structure of Israelite society, where Moses served as the intermediary between God and the people. This obedience to leadership is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to submit to spiritual authorities (Hebrews 13:17). Moses, as a type of Christ, foreshadows Jesus' role as the ultimate leader and mediator between God and humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Reubenites and Gadites
These are the tribes of Israel who requested to settle on the east side of the Jordan River, as the land was suitable for their livestock.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who communicated God's commands and mediated the agreement with the Reubenites and Gadites.

3. The Promised Land
The land west of the Jordan River that God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

4. The Jordan River
A significant geographical boundary that the Israelites needed to cross to enter the Promised Land.

5. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who commands and leads His people into battle and into the fulfillment of His promises.
Teaching Points
Commitment to Community
The Reubenites and Gadites demonstrate a commitment to the larger community of Israel by agreeing to fight alongside their brethren, even though they had already received their inheritance. This teaches us the importance of supporting our community and fulfilling our commitments.

Obedience to God’s Commands
The tribes' willingness to fight "before the LORD" highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands. Our actions should align with God's will, even when we have personal interests at stake.

Preparedness for Spiritual Battle
Just as the Reubenites and Gadites were equipped for physical battle, Christians are called to be spiritually equipped. This involves putting on the full armor of God to stand firm against spiritual challenges.

Faith in God’s Promises
The willingness to fight for the Promised Land reflects faith in God's promises. Believers today are encouraged to trust in God's promises and act in faith, knowing that God is faithful to fulfill His word.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But your servants
וַעֲבָדֶ֨יךָ (wa·‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

are equipped
חֲל֥וּץ (ḥă·lūṣ)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2502: To pull off, to strip, to depart, to deliver, equip, present, strengthen

for war,
צָבָ֛א (ṣā·ḇā)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

and every man
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

will cross over
יַֽעַבְר֜וּ (ya·‘aḇ·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

to the battle
לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה (lam·mil·ḥā·māh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

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

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

just as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

our lord
אֲדֹנִ֖י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

says.”
דֹּבֵֽר׃ (dō·ḇêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue


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OT Law: Numbers 32:27 But your servants will pass over every (Nu Num.)
Numbers 32:26
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