Numbers 32

“Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of…” Naming Gad and Gilead keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the…” Naming Eleazar and Gad keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon,” Naming Ataroth and Beon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have…” Naming Even and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land.” Naming Kadesh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the LORD’s anger was kindled the same time, and he sware, saying,” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD .” Naming Caleb and Jephunneh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD’s anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the…” The number forty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers’ stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:” The line’s distinctive content terms include build, cattle, cities. Its relationship to verses 15 and 17 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance.” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For we will not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan, or forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war,” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD , until he hath driven out his enemies from before him,” Naming Jordan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the land be subdued before the LORD : then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD , and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD : and be sure your sin will find you out.” The line’s distinctive content terms include find, LORD, sinned. Its relationship to verses 22 and 24 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth.” Naming Build keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spake unto Moses, saying, Thy servants will do as my lord…” Naming Gad and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead:” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith.” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, armed, battle. Its relationship to verses 26 and 28 shows what work it does in this passage.

“So concerning them Moses commanded Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Moses said unto them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan, every man…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As the LORD hath said unto thy servants, so will…” Naming Gad and Reuben keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“We will pass over armed before the LORD into the land of Canaan, that the possession of our inheritance on this side…” Naming Canaan and Jordan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of…” Naming Amorites and Bashan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,” Naming Aroer and Ataroth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah,” Naming Atroth and Jaazer keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran, fenced cities: and folds for sheep.” Naming Beth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim,” Naming Elealeh and Heshbon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Nebo, and Baal-meon, (their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names unto the cities which they…” Naming Baal and Nebo keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorite which was in…” Naming Amorite and Gilead keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein.” Naming Gilead and Machir keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havoth-jair.” Naming Havoth and Jair keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name.” Naming Nobah and Kenath keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.