Num 32: "The destruction of the power of Midian, who might
have harassed them from the east, secured to Israel the quiet possession of the
district east of Jordan, which their arms had already conquered. All along, from
the river Arnon in the south, which divided Israel from Moab, to the river
Jabbok and far beyond it, the land of Gilead and of Bashan, their borders were
safe from hostile attacks.
"The accounts of travelers are unanimous in describing that
district as specially suited for pastoral purposes. We read of magnificent
park-like scenery, of wide upland pastures, and rich forests, which everywhere
gladden the eye. No wonder that those of the tribes which had all along
preserved their nomadic habits, and whose flocks and herds constituted their
main possessions and their wealth, should wish to settle in those plains and
mountains. To them they were in very truth the land of promise, suited to their
special wants, and offering the very riches which they desired. The other side
Jordan had little attraction for them; and its possession would have been the
opposite of advantageous to a strictly pastoral people. Accordingly, the
children of Gad and Reuben requested of Moses: 'Let this land be given unto thy
servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan' (Num 32:5).
"If this proposal did not actually imply that those tribes
intended henceforth quietly to settle down, leaving their brethren to fight
alone for the conquest of Palestine proper, it was at least open to such
interpretation. Moses seems to have understood it in that sense. But, if such
had been their purpose, they would not only have separated themselves from the
Lord's work and leading, but, by discouraging their brethren, have re-enacted,
only on a much larger scale, the sin of those unbelieving spies who, 38 years
before, had brought such heavy judgment upon Israel. And the words of Moses
prevailed. Whether from the first their real intentions had been right, or the
warning of Moses had influenced them for good, they now solemnly undertook to
accompany their brethren across Jordan, and to stand by them till they also had
entered on their possession. Until then they would only restore the "folds" for
their sheep, and rebuild the destroyed cities, to afford safe dwelling-places
for their wives and children, and, of course, for such of their number as were
either left behind for defense, or incapable of going forth to war.
"On this express promise, their request was granted, and the
ancient kingdoms of Sihon and of Og were provisionally assigned to Reuben, Gad,
and half the tribe of Manasseh, which latter had made special conquests in
Gilead (Numbers 32:39). But the actual division of the district among these
tribes was left over for the period when the whole country should be allocated
among the children of Israel (Jos 13)" (OTH).
JAZER: "Jazer," or "Jaazer" (Num 21:32) was a town on
the way between Heshbon in the south and Bashan in the north. It gave its name
to the district, and was probably specially mentioned by the Reubenites as
perhaps the township east of Jordan nearest to the camp of Israel. It is
supposed to be the modern Seir -- almost in a line with Jericho, east of the
Jordan (OTH).