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THE MESSAGE
Numbers 32:20
Moses said, "If you do what you say, take up arms before God for battle and together go across the Jordan ready, before God , to fight until God has cleaned his enemies out of the land, then when the land is secure you will have fulfilled your duty to God and Israel. Then this land will be yours to keep before God .
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- CondensedParallel Translations
Hebrew Names Version
Moshe said to them, If you will do this thing, if you will arm yourselves to go before the LORD to the war,
Moshe said to them, If you will do this thing, if you will arm yourselves to go before the LORD to the war,
King James Version
And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the Lord to war,
And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the Lord to war,
Lexham English Bible
So Moses said to them, "If you do this thing, if you arm yourselves before Yahweh for the war,
So Moses said to them, "If you do this thing, if you arm yourselves before Yahweh for the war,
English Standard Version
So Moses said to them, "If you will do this, if you will take up arms to go before the Lord for the war,
So Moses said to them, "If you will do this, if you will take up arms to go before the Lord for the war,
New Century Version
So Moses told them, "You must do these things. You must go before the Lord into battle
So Moses told them, "You must do these things. You must go before the Lord into battle
New English Translation
Then Moses replied, "If you will do this thing, and if you will arm yourselves for battle before the Lord ,
Then Moses replied, "If you will do this thing, and if you will arm yourselves for battle before the Lord ,
Amplified Bible
Moses replied, "If you will do as you say, if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for war,
Moses replied, "If you will do as you say, if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for war,
New American Standard Bible
So Moses said to them, "If you will do this, if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for the war,
So Moses said to them, "If you will do this, if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for the war,
Geneva Bible (1587)
And Moses saide vnto them, If ye will doe this thing, and goe armed before the Lord to warre:
And Moses saide vnto them, If ye will doe this thing, and goe armed before the Lord to warre:
Legacy Standard Bible
So Moses said to them, "If you will do this, if you will arm yourselves before Yahweh for the war,
So Moses said to them, "If you will do this, if you will arm yourselves before Yahweh for the war,
Contemporary English Version
Moses said: You promised that you would be ready to fight for the Lord .
Moses said: You promised that you would be ready to fight for the Lord .
Complete Jewish Bible
(RY: iv, LY: vii) Moshe said to them, "If you will do this — if you will arm yourselves to go before Adonai to the war,
(RY: iv, LY: vii) Moshe said to them, "If you will do this — if you will arm yourselves to go before Adonai to the war,
Darby Translation
And Moses said to them, If ye do this thing, if ye arm yourselves before Jehovah for war,
And Moses said to them, If ye do this thing, if ye arm yourselves before Jehovah for war,
Easy-to-Read Version
So Moses told them, "If you do all these things, this land will belong to you. But your soldiers must go before the Lord into battle.
So Moses told them, "If you do all these things, this land will belong to you. But your soldiers must go before the Lord into battle.
George Lamsa Translation
And Moses said to them, If you will do this thing and arm yourselves before the LORD for war,
And Moses said to them, If you will do this thing and arm yourselves before the LORD for war,
Good News Translation
Moses answered, "If you really mean what you say, then here in the presence of the Lord get ready to go into battle.
Moses answered, "If you really mean what you say, then here in the presence of the Lord get ready to go into battle.
Christian Standard Bible®
Moses replied to them, “If you do this—if you arm yourselves for battle before the Lord,
Moses replied to them, “If you do this—if you arm yourselves for battle before the Lord,
Literal Translation
And Moses said to them, If you will do this thing; if you will arm for battle before Jehovah,
And Moses said to them, If you will do this thing; if you will arm for battle before Jehovah,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Moses sayde vnto them: Yf ye wil do this, that ye wil harnesse youre selues to the warre before the LORDE,
Moses sayde vnto them: Yf ye wil do this, that ye wil harnesse youre selues to the warre before the LORDE,
American Standard Version
And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will arm yourselves to go before Jehovah to the war,
And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will arm yourselves to go before Jehovah to the war,
Bible in Basic English
Then Moses said to them, If you will do this, arming yourselves to go before the Lord to the war,
Then Moses said to them, If you will do this, arming yourselves to go before the Lord to the war,
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And Moyses sayde vnto them: If ye wyll do this thyng, and go harnessed before the Lorde to warre,
And Moyses sayde vnto them: If ye wyll do this thyng, and go harnessed before the Lorde to warre,
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And Moses said unto them: 'If ye will do this thing: if ye will arm yourselves to go before the LORD to the war,
And Moses said unto them: 'If ye will do this thing: if ye will arm yourselves to go before the LORD to the war,
King James Version (1611)
And Moses said vnto them, If ye will doe this thing, if ye will goe armed before the Lord to warre,
And Moses said vnto them, If ye will doe this thing, if ye will goe armed before the Lord to warre,
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And Moses said to them, If ye will do according to these words, if ye will arm yourselves before the Lord for battle,
And Moses said to them, If ye will do according to these words, if ye will arm yourselves before the Lord for battle,
English Revised Version
And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing; If ye will arm yourselves to go before the LORD to the war,
And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing; If ye will arm yourselves to go before the LORD to the war,
Berean Standard Bible
"If you do this," Moses replied, "if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for battle,
"If you do this," Moses replied, "if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for battle,
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
To whiche Moises seide, If ye doen that, that ye biheten, be ye maad redi, and go ye to batel bifor the Lord;
To whiche Moises seide, If ye doen that, that ye biheten, be ye maad redi, and go ye to batel bifor the Lord;
Young's Literal Translation
And Moses saith unto them, `If ye do this thing: if ye are armed before Jehovah for battle,
And Moses saith unto them, `If ye do this thing: if ye are armed before Jehovah for battle,
Update Bible Version
And Moses said to them, If you will do this thing, if you will arm yourselves to go before Yahweh to the war,
And Moses said to them, If you will do this thing, if you will arm yourselves to go before Yahweh to the war,
Webster's Bible Translation
And Moses said to them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war,
And Moses said to them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war,
World English Bible
Moses said to them, If you will do this thing, if you will arm yourselves to go before Yahweh to the war,
Moses said to them, If you will do this thing, if you will arm yourselves to go before Yahweh to the war,
New King James Version
Then Moses said to them: "If you do this thing, if you arm yourselves before the LORD for the war,
Then Moses said to them: "If you do this thing, if you arm yourselves before the LORD for the war,
New Living Translation
Then Moses said, "If you keep your word and arm yourselves for the Lord 's battles,
Then Moses said, "If you keep your word and arm yourselves for the Lord 's battles,
New Life Bible
So Moses said to them, "Do as you say. Get ready for war before the Lord.
So Moses said to them, "Do as you say. Get ready for war before the Lord.
New Revised Standard
So Moses said to them, "If you do this—if you take up arms to go before the Lord for the war,
So Moses said to them, "If you do this—if you take up arms to go before the Lord for the war,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And Moses said unto them, If ye will indeed do this thing, - if ye will arm yourselves, before Yahweh, for the war;
And Moses said unto them, If ye will indeed do this thing, - if ye will arm yourselves, before Yahweh, for the war;
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Moses said to them: If you do what you promise, go on well appointed for war before the Lord:
And Moses said to them: If you do what you promise, go on well appointed for war before the Lord:
Revised Standard Version
So Moses said to them, "If you will do this, if you will take up arms to go before the LORD for the war,
So Moses said to them, "If you will do this, if you will take up arms to go before the LORD for the war,
New American Standard Bible (1995)
So Moses said to them, "If you will do this, if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for the war,
So Moses said to them, "If you will do this, if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for the war,
Contextual Overview
16They came close to him and said, "All we want to do is build corrals for our livestock and towns for our families. Then we'll take up arms and take the front lines, leading the People of Israel to their place. We'll be able to leave our families behind, secure in fortified towns, safe from those who live in the land. But we won't go back home until every Israelite is in full possession of his inheritance. We won't expect any inheritance west of the Jordan; we are claiming all our inheritance east of the Jordan." 20Moses said, "If you do what you say, take up arms before God for battle and together go across the Jordan ready, before God , to fight until God has cleaned his enemies out of the land, then when the land is secure you will have fulfilled your duty to God and Israel. Then this land will be yours to keep before God . 23"But if you don't do what you say, you will be sinning against God ; you can be sure that your sin will track you down. So, go ahead. Build towns for your families and corrals for your livestock. Do what you said you'd do." 25The families of Gad and Reuben told Moses: "We will do as our master commands. Our children and wives, our flocks and herds will stay behind here in the towns of Gilead. But we, every one of us fully armed, will cross the river to fight for God , just as our master has said."
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Deuteronomy 3:18-20, Joshua 1:13-15, Joshua 4:12, Joshua 4:13, Joshua 22:2-4
Reciprocal: Numbers 32:29 - General Joshua 6:8 - before the Lord Judges 11:9 - If ye bring 1 Samuel 18:17 - the Lord's
Cross-References
Genesis 32:9
And then Jacob prayed, "God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, God who told me, ‘Go back to your parents' homeland and I'll treat you well.' I don't deserve all the love and loyalty you've shown me. When I left here and crossed the Jordan I only had the clothes on my back, and now look at me—two camps! Save me, please, from the violence of my brother, my angry brother! I'm afraid he'll come and attack us all, me, the mothers and the children. You yourself said, ‘I will treat you well; I'll make your descendants like the sands of the sea, far too many to count.'"
And then Jacob prayed, "God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, God who told me, ‘Go back to your parents' homeland and I'll treat you well.' I don't deserve all the love and loyalty you've shown me. When I left here and crossed the Jordan I only had the clothes on my back, and now look at me—two camps! Save me, please, from the violence of my brother, my angry brother! I'm afraid he'll come and attack us all, me, the mothers and the children. You yourself said, ‘I will treat you well; I'll make your descendants like the sands of the sea, far too many to count.'"
Genesis 32:17
Then he instructed the first one out: "When my brother Esau comes close and asks, ‘Who is your master? Where are you going? Who owns these?'—answer him like this, ‘Your servant Jacob. They are a gift to my master Esau. He's on his way.'"
Then he instructed the first one out: "When my brother Esau comes close and asks, ‘Who is your master? Where are you going? Who owns these?'—answer him like this, ‘Your servant Jacob. They are a gift to my master Esau. He's on his way.'"
Genesis 43:11
Their father Israel gave in. "If it has to be, it has to be. But do this: stuff your packs with the finest products from the land you can find and take them to the man as gifts—some balm and honey, some spices and perfumes, some pistachios and almonds. And take plenty of money—pay back double what was returned to your sacks; that might have been a mistake. Take your brother and get going. Go back to the man. And may The Strong God give you grace in that man's eyes so that he'll send back your other brother along with Benjamin. For me, nothing's left; I've lost everything."
Their father Israel gave in. "If it has to be, it has to be. But do this: stuff your packs with the finest products from the land you can find and take them to the man as gifts—some balm and honey, some spices and perfumes, some pistachios and almonds. And take plenty of money—pay back double what was returned to your sacks; that might have been a mistake. Take your brother and get going. Go back to the man. And may The Strong God give you grace in that man's eyes so that he'll send back your other brother along with Benjamin. For me, nothing's left; I've lost everything."
1 Kings 20:31
At about this same time Ben-Hadad king of Aram mustered his troops. He recruited in addition thirty-two local sheiks, all outfitted with horses and chariots. He set out in force and surrounded Samaria, ready to make war. He sent an envoy into the city to set his terms before Ahab king of Israel: "Ben-Hadad lays claim to your silver and gold, and to the pick of your wives and sons." The king of Israel accepted the terms: "As you say, distinguished lord; I and everything I have is yours." But then the envoy returned a second time, saying, "On second thought, I want it all—your silver and gold and all your wives and sons. Hand them over—the whole works. I'll give you twenty-four hours; then my servants will arrive to search your palace and the houses of your officials and loot them; anything that strikes their fancy, they'll take." The king of Israel called a meeting of all his tribal elders. He said, "Look at this—outrageous! He's just looking for trouble. He means to clean me out, demanding all my women and children. And after I already agreed to pay him off handsomely!" The elders, backed by the people, said, "Don't cave in to him. Don't give an inch." So he sent an envoy to Ben-Hadad, "Tell my distinguished lord, ‘I agreed to the terms you delivered the first time, but this I can't do—this I won't do!'" The envoy went back and delivered the answer. Ben-Hadad shot back his response: "May the gods do their worst to me, and then worse again, if there'll be anything left of Samaria but rubble." The king of Israel countered, "Think about it—it's easier to start a fight than end one." It happened that when Ben-Hadad heard this retort he was into some heavy drinking, boozing it up with the sheiks in their field shelters. Drunkenly, he ordered his henchmen, "Go after them!" And they attacked the city. Just then a lone prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and said, " God 's word: Have you taken a good look at this mob? Well, look again—I'm turning it over to you this very day. And you'll know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that I am God ." Ahab said, "Really? And who is going to make this happen?" God said, "The young commandos of the regional chiefs." "And who," said Ahab, "will strike the first blow?" God said, "You." Ahab looked over the commandos of the regional chiefs; he counted 232. Then he assessed the available troops—7,000. At noon they set out after Ben-Hadad who, with his allies, the thirty-two sheiks, was busy at serious drinking in the field shelters. The commandos of the regional chiefs made up the vanguard. A report was brought to Ben-Hadad: "Men are on their way from Samaria." He said, "If they've come in peace, take them alive as hostages; if they've come to fight, the same—take them alive as hostages." The commandos poured out of the city with the full army behind them. They hit hard in hand-to-hand combat. The Arameans scattered from the field, with Israel hard on their heels. But Ben-Hadad king of Aram got away on horseback, along with his cavalry. The king of Israel cut down both horses and chariots—an enormous defeat for Aram. Sometime later the prophet came to the king of Israel and said, "On the alert now—build up your army, assess your capabilities, and see what has to be done. Before the year is out, the king of Aram will be back in force." Meanwhile the advisors to the king of Aram said, "Their god is a god of the mountains—we don't stand a chance against them there. So let's engage them on the plain where we'll have the advantage. Here's the strategy: Remove each sheik from his place of leadership and replace him with a seasoned officer. Then recruit a fighting force equivalent in size to the army that deserted earlier—horse for horse, chariot for chariot. And we'll fight them on the plain—we're sure to prove stronger than they are." It sounded good to the king; he did what they advised. As the new year approached, Ben-Hadad rallied Aram and they went up to Aphek to make war on Israel. The Israelite army prepared to fight and took the field to meet Aram. They moved into battle formation before Aram in two camps, like two flocks of goats. The plain was seething with Arameans. Just then a holy man approached the king of Israel saying, "This is God 's word: Because Aram said, ‘ God is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys,' I'll hand over this huge mob of an army to you. Then you'll know that I am God ." The two armies were poised in a standoff for seven days. On the seventh day fighting broke out. The Israelites killed 100,000 of the Aramean infantry in one day. The rest of the army ran for their lives back to the city, Aphek, only to have the city wall fall on 27,000 of the survivors. Ben-Hadad escaped into the city and hid in a closet. Then his advisors told him, "Look, we've heard that the kings of Israel play by the rules; let's dress in old gunnysacks, carry a white flag of truce, and present ourselves to the king of Israel on the chance that he'll let you live."
At about this same time Ben-Hadad king of Aram mustered his troops. He recruited in addition thirty-two local sheiks, all outfitted with horses and chariots. He set out in force and surrounded Samaria, ready to make war. He sent an envoy into the city to set his terms before Ahab king of Israel: "Ben-Hadad lays claim to your silver and gold, and to the pick of your wives and sons." The king of Israel accepted the terms: "As you say, distinguished lord; I and everything I have is yours." But then the envoy returned a second time, saying, "On second thought, I want it all—your silver and gold and all your wives and sons. Hand them over—the whole works. I'll give you twenty-four hours; then my servants will arrive to search your palace and the houses of your officials and loot them; anything that strikes their fancy, they'll take." The king of Israel called a meeting of all his tribal elders. He said, "Look at this—outrageous! He's just looking for trouble. He means to clean me out, demanding all my women and children. And after I already agreed to pay him off handsomely!" The elders, backed by the people, said, "Don't cave in to him. Don't give an inch." So he sent an envoy to Ben-Hadad, "Tell my distinguished lord, ‘I agreed to the terms you delivered the first time, but this I can't do—this I won't do!'" The envoy went back and delivered the answer. Ben-Hadad shot back his response: "May the gods do their worst to me, and then worse again, if there'll be anything left of Samaria but rubble." The king of Israel countered, "Think about it—it's easier to start a fight than end one." It happened that when Ben-Hadad heard this retort he was into some heavy drinking, boozing it up with the sheiks in their field shelters. Drunkenly, he ordered his henchmen, "Go after them!" And they attacked the city. Just then a lone prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and said, " God 's word: Have you taken a good look at this mob? Well, look again—I'm turning it over to you this very day. And you'll know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that I am God ." Ahab said, "Really? And who is going to make this happen?" God said, "The young commandos of the regional chiefs." "And who," said Ahab, "will strike the first blow?" God said, "You." Ahab looked over the commandos of the regional chiefs; he counted 232. Then he assessed the available troops—7,000. At noon they set out after Ben-Hadad who, with his allies, the thirty-two sheiks, was busy at serious drinking in the field shelters. The commandos of the regional chiefs made up the vanguard. A report was brought to Ben-Hadad: "Men are on their way from Samaria." He said, "If they've come in peace, take them alive as hostages; if they've come to fight, the same—take them alive as hostages." The commandos poured out of the city with the full army behind them. They hit hard in hand-to-hand combat. The Arameans scattered from the field, with Israel hard on their heels. But Ben-Hadad king of Aram got away on horseback, along with his cavalry. The king of Israel cut down both horses and chariots—an enormous defeat for Aram. Sometime later the prophet came to the king of Israel and said, "On the alert now—build up your army, assess your capabilities, and see what has to be done. Before the year is out, the king of Aram will be back in force." Meanwhile the advisors to the king of Aram said, "Their god is a god of the mountains—we don't stand a chance against them there. So let's engage them on the plain where we'll have the advantage. Here's the strategy: Remove each sheik from his place of leadership and replace him with a seasoned officer. Then recruit a fighting force equivalent in size to the army that deserted earlier—horse for horse, chariot for chariot. And we'll fight them on the plain—we're sure to prove stronger than they are." It sounded good to the king; he did what they advised. As the new year approached, Ben-Hadad rallied Aram and they went up to Aphek to make war on Israel. The Israelite army prepared to fight and took the field to meet Aram. They moved into battle formation before Aram in two camps, like two flocks of goats. The plain was seething with Arameans. Just then a holy man approached the king of Israel saying, "This is God 's word: Because Aram said, ‘ God is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys,' I'll hand over this huge mob of an army to you. Then you'll know that I am God ." The two armies were poised in a standoff for seven days. On the seventh day fighting broke out. The Israelites killed 100,000 of the Aramean infantry in one day. The rest of the army ran for their lives back to the city, Aphek, only to have the city wall fall on 27,000 of the survivors. Ben-Hadad escaped into the city and hid in a closet. Then his advisors told him, "Look, we've heard that the kings of Israel play by the rules; let's dress in old gunnysacks, carry a white flag of truce, and present ourselves to the king of Israel on the chance that he'll let you live."
Proverbs 15:18
Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.
Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.
Proverbs 16:14
An intemperate leader wreaks havoc in lives; you're smart to stay clear of someone like that.
An intemperate leader wreaks havoc in lives; you're smart to stay clear of someone like that.
Proverbs 21:14
A quietly given gift soothes an irritable person; a heartfelt present cools a hot temper.
A quietly given gift soothes an irritable person; a heartfelt present cools a hot temper.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And Moses said unto them,.... Being better disposed towards them, and more satisfied with the reasonableness of their request, it being explained unto him:
if ye will do this thing; which they had promised:
if ye will go armed before the Lord to war; they had said they would go ready armed before the children of Israel, but Moses expresses it "before the Lord"; which is more agreeable to their encampment and order in marching, for not the standard of Reuben but that of Judah went foremost, yet the standard of Reuben marched directly before the sanctuary bore by the Kohathites, Numbers 10:18, and so might be properly said to go before the Lord, who dwelt there.
