30 but if they will not cross over with you armed , they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan ." 31 The sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben answered , saying , "As the Lord has said to your servants , so we will do . 32 "We ourselves will cross over armed in the presence of the Lord into the land of Canaan , and the possession of our inheritance shall remain with us across e the Jordan ." 33 So Moses gave to them, to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Reuben and to the half-tribe e of Joseph's son Manasseh , the kingdom of Sihon , king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og , the king of Bashan , the land with its cities with their territories , the cities of the surrounding land . 34 The sons of Gad built Dibon and Ataroth and Aroer , 35 and Atroth-shophan and Jazer and Jogbehah , 36 and Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran as fortified cities , and sheepfolds for sheep . 37 The sons of Reuben built Heshbon and Elealeh and Kiriathaim , 38 and Nebo and Baal-meon -their names being changed -and Sibmah , and they gave other names to the cities which they built . 39 The sons of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead and took it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were in it. 40 So Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh , and he lived in it. 41 Jair the son of Manasseh went and took its towns , and called them Havvoth-jair . 42 Nobah went and took Kenath and its villages , and called it Nobah after his own name .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 32:30-50
Commentary on Numbers 32:28-42
(Read Numbers 32:28-42)
Concerning the settlement of these tribes, observe, that they built the cities, that is, repaired them. They changed the names of them; probably they were idolatrous, therefore they should be forgotten. A spirit of selfishness, of seeking our own, not the things of Christ, when each one ought to assist others, is as dangerous as it is common. It is impossible to be sincere in the faith, sensible of the goodness of God, constrained by the love of Christ, sanctified by the power of the Holy Ghost, and yet be indifferent to the progress of religion, and the spiritual success of others, through love of ease, or fear of conflict. Let then your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.