Numbers 32:7

Verse

Why are you discouraging the Israelites from crossing into the land that the LORD has given them?

American Standard Version (1901)

And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which Jehovah hath given them?

Bible in Basic English

Why would you take from the children of Israel the desire to go over into the land which the Lord has given them?

Free Bible Version

Why discourage the Israelites from crossing into the country that the Lord has given them?

King James (Authorized) Version

And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them?

One Unity Resource Bible

Why do you discourage the heart of the children of Israel [God prevails] from going over into the land which Adonai has given them?

Translation for Translators

If you do that, you will cause the other Israelis to be discouraged, with the result that they will not cross the Jordan River to the land that Yahweh is giving to them [RHQ].

Unlocked Literal Bible

Why discourage the hearts of the people of Israel from going over into the land that Yahweh has given them?

Noah Webster Bible

And why discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them?

World English Bible

Why do you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which Yahweh has given them?

Young's Literal Translation

and why discourage ye the heart of the sons of Israel from passing over unto the land which Jehovah hath given to them?

Context

The Tribes East of the Jordan

⁶But Moses asked the Gadites and Reubenites, “Shall your brothers go to war while you sit here?⁷Why are you discouraging the Israelites from crossing into the land that the LORD has given them?⁸This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to inspect the land.

Summary

In Numbers 32:7, Moses expresses concern to the tribes of Reuben and Gad about repeating the sins of their ancestors who refused to enter the Promised Land. He warns them that their reluctance to cross the Jordan River may discourage the rest of the Israelites, leading to further delays in claiming the inheritance God had promised them. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience in following God's plans, urging believers to trust in His guidance and not be swayed by fear or doubt.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Thus did your fathers,.... Meaning not particularly and only the fathers of these two tribes he was speaking to, but of them and the other tribes also, who acted much such a part; did not choose to go into the good land to possess it, when they were bid to do it, but were for sending spies first, which brought an ill report of it, and discouraged the people from going into it; the history of which Moses here gives: when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land; called only Kadesh, Num 13:26 the reason of the name See Gill on Num 32:13.