And Moses said unto them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan, every man armed to battle, before the LORD, and the land shall be subdued before you; then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession:
Moses said to them, 'If the people of Gad and Reuben cross the Jordan River with you, with every man armed for battle before the LORD, and if the land is conquered before you, then you shall give them the land of Gilead as their possession.'
Moses is setting conditions for the tribes of Gad and Reuben to receive their inheritance - they must first help conquer the Promised Land before settling in their chosen territory.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs as Israel prepares to enter the Promised Land after 40 years in the wilderness. The tribes of Gad and Reuben had requested to settle east of the Jordan River in Gilead because the land was good for their livestock. Moses initially worried they were abandoning their fellow Israelites, but here he's agreeing to their request with conditions.
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