Deuteronomy 3:19
But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle, (for I know that ye have much cattle,) shall abide in your cities which I have given you;
Original Language Analysis
רַ֠ק
H7535
רַ֠ק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
וְטַפְּכֶם֮
and your little ones
H2945
וְטַפְּכֶם֮
and your little ones
Strong's:
H2945
Word #:
3 of 14
a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)
מִקְנֶ֥ה
and your cattle
H4735
מִקְנֶ֥ה
and your cattle
Strong's:
H4735
Word #:
4 of 14
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
יָדַ֕עְתִּי
for I know
H3045
יָדַ֕עְתִּי
for I know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
5 of 14
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִקְנֶ֥ה
and your cattle
H4735
מִקְנֶ֥ה
and your cattle
Strong's:
H4735
Word #:
7 of 14
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
רַ֖ב
that ye have much
H7227
רַ֖ב
that ye have much
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
8 of 14
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
יֵֽשְׁבוּ֙
shall abide
H3427
יֵֽשְׁבוּ֙
shall abide
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בְּעָ֣רֵיכֶ֔ם
in your cities
H5892
בְּעָ֣רֵיכֶ֔ם
in your cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
11 of 14
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
The extensive livestock holdings of Reuben and Gad motivated their Transjordan settlement request (Numbers 32:1). God's permission for families to remain showed grace—the men wouldn't have to choose between duty to nation and duty to family. Both could be honored through wise planning.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's compassion in your circumstances encourage faithful obedience?
- What responsibilities can you fulfill without neglecting other legitimate obligations?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The exception 'But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle... shall abide in your cities' shows compassionate provision. God doesn't require impossible burdens—families could stay in security while fighting men fulfilled their obligation. The parenthetical acknowledgment '(for I know that ye have much cattle)' recognizes their specific circumstances. God's commands account for practical realities while maintaining moral standards.