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Moses agrees to Reuben and Gad's request, provided that they do not in fact participate in conquering the rest of the Land. (Note that in 32:16 they had spoken of building pens for their animals and cities for their children, but here in 32:24 Moses sets their priorities straight by reversing the order of their promises.) Reuben, Gad, and part of the tribe of Menasseh build cities in their territories to protect their families while the men go to war. With chapter 34, a detailed itinerary of the Israelites' journey through the desert begins.
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| Thoughts to Consider and Discuss |
1. When and why does the tribe of Menasseh become a part of the Reuben and Chizkuni on Numbers 32:33.
2. What were to be the consequences for Reuben, Gad, and Menasseh if they reneged on their promise? Was this agreement reasonable? See Numbers 32:23 and 32:30.
3. Psalm 106 is also a recounting of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. How does it compare with this fourth aliyah?
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"And to the half of the tribe of Menasseh - the sons of Menasseh did not request an inheritance of the land of Sichon and Og, rather only the sons of Reuben and Gad requested [that inheritance], but since their father (Joseph) caused the tribes to tear their clothing because of the incident of the goblet (See Genesis 44:1-18), [Menasseh] was given his inheritance in two pieces on two sides of the Jordan."
Chizkuni on Numbers 32:33
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 | | Points to Ponder | |
How does the tribe of Menasseh become a part of the Reuven/Gad agreement?
Is the participation of Menasseh in this agreement positive or negative?
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