Numbers 32:14
And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel.
Original Language Analysis
קַמְתֶּ֗ם
And behold ye are risen up
H6965
קַמְתֶּ֗ם
And behold ye are risen up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
2 of 15
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
תַּ֚חַת
H8478
תַּ֚חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
3 of 15
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
אֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
in your fathers
H1
אֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
in your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
4 of 15
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
אֲנָשִׁ֣ים
men
H582
אֲנָשִׁ֣ים
men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
6 of 15
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
לִסְפּ֣וֹת
to augment
H5595
לִסְפּ֣וֹת
to augment
Strong's:
H5595
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e., to accumulate or increase) or away (i.e., to scatter, remove, or r
ע֗וֹד
H5750
ע֗וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
עַ֛ל
H5921
עַ֛ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אַף
anger
H639
אַף
anger
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
Historical Context
The tribes of Reuben and Gad had "very great multitudes of cattle" (Numbers 32:1) and saw the lush grazing land east of Jordan as ideal. Their request seemed practical but threatened national unity and trust in God's promised land west of Jordan. Moses's sharp rebuke shows he initially viewed this as treasonous self-interest that could demoralize Israel and repeat the Kadesh disaster. Only when they pledged to fight alongside their brothers (vv. 16-19) did Moses relent.
Questions for Reflection
- How do generational sin patterns intensify when successive generations fail to learn from ancestors' failures?
- In what ways might pragmatic self-interest disguise spiritual compromise?
- How should Christian communities balance individual liberty with corporate covenant responsibility?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel—Moses accuses Reuben and Gad of being a "brood of sinners" (literal Hebrew: tarbut anashim chattaim, תַּרְבּוּת אֲנָשִׁים חַטָּאִים). "Increase" suggests they multiplied or bred sinfulness, becoming worse than their fathers. "Augment" (saphah, סָפָה) means to add to or heap up—their request would pile more fuel on God's already fierce anger.
This verse powerfully depicts generational sin patterns—children inheriting and often intensifying parental rebellion. Moses fears they would discourage the nation from crossing Jordan just as the spies discouraged their fathers from entering from the south. The phrase "fierce anger" (charon aph, חֲרוֹן אַף) depicts God's burning wrath. Moses warns that covenant communities face corporate judgment when individual tribes prioritize selfish interests over collective obedience.