Numbers 32:20

20 Then Moses said to them, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for battle

Numbers 32:20 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
20 And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war,
English Standard Version (ESV)
20 So Moses said to them, "If you will do this, if you will take up arms to go before the LORD for the war,
New Living Translation (NLT)
20 Then Moses said, “If you keep your word and arm yourselves for the LORD ’s battles,
The Message Bible (MSG)
20 Moses said, "If you do what you say, take up arms before God for battle
American Standard Version (ASV)
20 And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will arm yourselves to go before Jehovah to the war,
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
20 Moses answered, "Do what you have said. In the LORD's presence have all your armed men get ready for battle.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
20 Moses replied to them, "If you do this-if you arm yourselves for battle before the Lord,
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
20 Then Moses said to them, "Do what you have promised to do. Prepare yourselves to fight for the Lord.

Numbers 32:20 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 32:20

And Moses said unto them
Being better disposed towards them, and more satisfied with the reasonableness of their request, it being explained unto him:

if ye will do this thing;
which they had promised:

if ye will go armed before the Lord to war;
they had said they would go ready armed before the children of Israel, but Moses expresses it "before the Lord"; which is more agreeable to their encampment and order in marching, for not the standard of Reuben but that of Judah went foremost, yet the standard of Reuben marched directly before the sanctuary bore by the Kohathites, ( Numbers 10:18 Numbers 10:21 ) , and so might be properly said to go before the Lord, who dwelt there.

Numbers 32:20 In-Context

18 We will not return to our homes until each of the Israelites has received their inheritance.
19 We will not receive any inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan, because our inheritance has come to us on the east side of the Jordan.”
20 Then Moses said to them, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for battle
21 and if all of you who are armed cross over the Jordan before the LORD until he has driven his enemies out before him—
22 then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free from your obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will be your possession before the LORD.

Cross References 1

  • 1. ver 17; Deuteronomy 3:18
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.