THE LAND OF GILEAD 1) When the tents of the congregation were pitched in the land of Moab, the children of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh coveted to own it because it was grazing land and they were the clans owning herds and cattle in great numbers. They wanted to have all the land especially the cities of Ataroth (crowns), Dibon (disgrace), Jazer (helper), Elealeh (God of High) Shebam (cold) Nebo (announcer) and Beon (Baal of the house). 2) These tribes might have wanted to acquire the first pick of the fruit of victory as a compensation for losing the right of the first-born, Reuben being the eldest and Gad the eldest of Zilpah Leah's maid and Manasseh was the first-born of Ephraim. These settlers of east Jordan represent the Old Testament whereas the rest of the tribes that crossed the Jordan represent the New Testament, because they enjoyed the water of baptism. The former won victory over the kings under the leadership of Moses but the latter won under Joshua. 3) Moses firmly but compassionately reproached the two and half tribes because they asked to be allowed [5] not to cross the Jordan saying:" do not take us accross the Jordan" [5]. As if they stopped at the gates and because they gave their herds and cattle priority over helping their brethren in their war after crossing. He granted their wish on condition that they help their brethren. In fact they even asked to go on the foremost line of the army [16]. They also vowed not to return to their land until all the tribes had had their share [18]. This put Moses mind at rest. He assured them that their proposal was a commitment before the Lord [20].
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