The Meaning of Numbers 32:17 Explained

Numbers 32:17

KJV: 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.

YLT: and we -- we are armed hasting before the sons of Israel till that we have brought them in unto their place; and our infants have dwelt in the cities of defence because of the inhabitants of the land;

Darby: but we ourselves will go with diligence armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them to their place; and our little ones shall dwell in the strong cities because of the inhabitants of the land.

ASV: but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Numbers 32:17 Mean?

Context Summary

Numbers 32:1-19 - Seeking Inheritance Beyond Jordan
Reuben and Gad were contiguous to each other when the host encamped. They had, therefore, many opportunities for conference, and finally united in asking permission to settle on the east of Jordan, where vast tracks of pasturage were eminently suited to their flocks. They have been held up as types of those whose "much cattle" hinder the realization to the full of the heavenly inheritance. Certainly many professing Christians live on the world's side of the Cross. They have no desire to share in the crucifixion of the self-life, if only they may build sheepcotes and cities and provide for their little ones. "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than"¦."
At first Moses was indignant at the request, thinking that they desired to evade the hardships, but their explanation modified his wrath. Be swift to hear, slow to speak! [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Numbers 32:17 mean?

but we [ourselves] will be armed ready [to go] before the sons of Israel until that lo we have brought them to their place and will dwell our little ones in cities the fortified because of the inhabitants of the land
וַאֲנַ֜חְנוּ נֵחָלֵ֣ץ חֻשִׁ֗ים לִפְנֵי֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל עַ֛ד אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִם־ הֲבִֽיאֹנֻ֖ם אֶל־ מְקוֹמָ֑ם וְיָשַׁ֤ב טַפֵּ֙נוּ֙ בְּעָרֵ֣י הַמִּבְצָ֔ר מִפְּנֵ֖י יֹשְׁבֵ֥י הָאָֽרֶץ

וַאֲנַ֜חְנוּ  but  we  [ourselves] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, first person common plural
Root: אֲנַחְנוּ  
Sense: we (first pers.
נֵחָלֵ֣ץ  will  be  armed 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, first person common plural
Root: חָלַץ 
Sense: to remove, draw out, draw off, take off, withdraw, equip (for war), arm for war, rescue, be rescued.
חֻשִׁ֗ים  ready  [to  go] 
Parse: Verb, Qal, QalPassParticiple, masculine plural
Root: חוּשׁ 
Sense: to haste, make haste, hurry.
לִפְנֵי֙  before 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, common plural construct
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
בְּנֵ֣י  the  sons 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל  of  Israel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יִשְׂרָאֵל  
Sense: the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel.
עַ֛ד  until 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַד  
Sense: as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
אִם־  lo 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: אִם  
Sense: if.
הֲבִֽיאֹנֻ֖ם  we  have  brought  them 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, first person common plural, third person masculine plural
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
מְקוֹמָ֑ם  their  place 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: מָקֹום  
Sense: standing place, place.
וְיָשַׁ֤ב  and  will  dwell 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
טַפֵּ֙נוּ֙  our  little  ones 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common plural
Root: טַף 
Sense: children, little children, little ones.
בְּעָרֵ֣י  in  cities 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine plural construct
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.
הַמִּבְצָ֔ר  the  fortified 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִבְצָר 
Sense: fortification, fortress, fortified city, stronghold.
מִפְּנֵ֖י  because 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, common plural construct
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
יֹשְׁבֵ֥י  of  the  inhabitants 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
הָאָֽרֶץ  of  the  land 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.

What are the major concepts related to Numbers 32:17?

Loading Information...