Numbers 32:22

Verse

then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will belong to you as a possession before the LORD.

American Standard Version (1901)

and the land is subdued before Jehovah; then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless towards Jehovah, and towards Israel; and this land shall be unto you for a possession before Jehovah.

Bible in Basic English

And the land is under the rule of the Lord: then after that you may come back, having done no wrong to the Lord and to Israel; and this land will be yours for your heritage before the Lord.

Free Bible Version

then once the country is conquered with the Lord's help then you may return, and you will have fulfilled your obligations to the Lord and to Israel. You will own this land, granted to you by the Lord.

King James (Authorized) Version

And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.

One Unity Resource Bible

and the land is subdued before Adonai ; then afterward you shall teshuvah ·completely return·, and be guiltless towards Adonai , and towards Israel [God prevails]; and this land shall be to you for a possession before Adonai .

Translation for Translators

After Yahweh helps us to take that land from the people who live there, you will be permitted to return to your homes. You will have done what you have promised Yahweh and the Israeli people that you would do, and you may keep this land to be your own, given to you by Yahweh.

Unlocked Literal Bible

and the land is subdued before him. Then afterward you may return. You will be guiltless toward Yahweh and toward Israel. This land will be your possession before Yahweh.

Noah Webster Bible

And the land shall be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.

World English Bible

and the land is subdued before Yahweh; then afterward you shall return, and be clear of obligation to Yahweh and to Israel. Then this land shall be your possession before Yahweh.

Young's Literal Translation

and the land hath been subdued before Jehovah — then afterwards ye do turn back, and have been acquitted by Jehovah, and by Israel; and this land hath been to you for a possession before Jehovah.

Context

The Tribes East of the Jordan

²¹and if every one of your armed men crosses the Jordan before the LORD, until He has driven His enemies out before Him,²²then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will belong to you as a possession before the LORD.²³But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD—and be assured that your sin will find you out.

Summary

In this verse, Moses is addressing the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who desired to settle on the east side of the Jordan River instead of entering the Promised Land with the rest of the Israelites. Moses warns them that if they fail to keep their promise to help their fellow Israelites conquer the land, they will sin against the Lord and bring judgment upon themselves. This serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and fulfilling commitments within the community of believers, emphasizing the need for faithfulness and cooperation in God's plans.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

But if ye will not do so,.... As they promised they would, and Moses insisted on it that they should: behold, ye have sinned against the Lord making such a request, and not fulfilling the conditions on which it was granted: and be sure your sin will find you out; fly in their faces, accuse them in their consciences, charge and load them with guilt, and bring deserved punishment upon them: sin may be put, as it often is, for the punishment of sin, which sooner or later will find out and come upon the impenitent and unpardoned sinner.