The Eastern Tribes Make a Promise

The tribes of Gad and Reuben had very large flocks and herds. When they saw the land of Jazer and Gilead, they noticed it was suitable for livestock. So they came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders, asking for that land instead of being taken across the Jordan.

Moses answered strongly. He asked whether their brothers should go to war while they stayed behind. He reminded them how earlier Israelites had discouraged the people after spying out the land, and how the Lord's anger led to forty years of wandering until that generation was gone. Moses warned them not to repeat that sin.

Then Gad and Reuben came closer and explained their plan. They would build folds for their livestock and cities for their little ones. But their fighting men would go armed before the rest of Israel. They would not return to their houses until the other tribes had received their inheritance.

Moses agreed with a clear condition. If their armed men crossed the Jordan and fought before the Lord until the land was subdued, they could have that land as their possession. But if they failed, they would be sinning against the Lord. Gad and Reuben answered that they would do what had been said.

Moses passed the agreement on to Eleazar, Joshua, and the leaders, so it would be remembered. If Gad and Reuben kept their word, they were to receive the land of Gilead. Moses then gave land from the kingdoms of Sihon and Og to Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh. Gad and Reuben built cities there, and men from Manasseh took Gilead, villages later called Havvoth Jair, and Kenath with its villages.