Numbers 32:22

Authorized King James Version

PDF

And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.

Original Language Analysis

וְנִכְבְּשָׁ֨ה be subdued H3533
וְנִכְבְּשָׁ֨ה be subdued
Strong's: H3533
Word #: 1 of 17
to tread down; hence, negatively, to disregard; positively, to conquer, subjugate, violate
הָאָ֨רֶץ And the land H776
הָאָ֨רֶץ And the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 2 of 17
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
לִפְנֵ֥י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 3 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָֽה׃ before the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ before the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְאַחַ֣ר then afterward H310
וְאַחַ֣ר then afterward
Strong's: H310
Word #: 5 of 17
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
תָּשֻׁ֔בוּ ye shall return H7725
תָּשֻׁ֔בוּ ye shall return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 6 of 17
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וִֽהְיִיתֶ֧ם H1961
וִֽהְיִיתֶ֧ם
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 7 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
נְקִיִּ֛ם and be guiltless H5355
נְקִיִּ֛ם and be guiltless
Strong's: H5355
Word #: 8 of 17
innocent
יְהוָֽה׃ before the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ before the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 9 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּמִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֑ל and before Israel H3478
וּמִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֑ל and before Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 10 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְ֠הָֽיְתָה H1961
וְ֠הָֽיְתָה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 11 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הָאָ֨רֶץ And the land H776
הָאָ֨רֶץ And the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 12 of 17
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
הַזֹּ֥את H2063
הַזֹּ֥את
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 13 of 17
this (often used adverb)
לָכֶ֛ם H0
לָכֶ֛ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 14 of 17
לַֽאֲחֻזָּ֖ה shall be your possession H272
לַֽאֲחֻזָּ֖ה shall be your possession
Strong's: H272
Word #: 15 of 17
something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)
לִפְנֵ֥י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 16 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָֽה׃ before the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ before the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 17 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD—"Subdued" (kavash, כָּבַשׁ) means thoroughly conquered and brought under control. The repeated phrase "before the LORD" (three times in one verse) emphasizes God as witness, judge, and sovereign. Every element—conquest, returning home, land possession—occurs under divine scrutiny.

"Guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel" establishes dual accountability: vertical (to God) and horizontal (to the covenant community). Being guiltless (naqiy, נָקִי, innocent, free from obligation) requires fulfilling all covenant commitments. Only then does their possession become legitimate "before the LORD"—divine approval rests on covenant faithfulness. This verse demonstrates that legitimate blessing depends on faithful obedience. Premature return would make them guilty of covenant-breaking, forfeiting God's blessing and incurring community condemnation.

Historical Context

Joshua 22:1-9 records the fulfillment: after conquest, Joshua commended Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh for keeping their pledge, declared them guiltless, and dismissed them to Transjordan with blessing. However, controversy immediately arose over an altar they built (Joshua 22:10-34), demonstrating how geographical separation could generate misunderstanding. Later, these tribes faced assimilation pressures. First Chronicles 5:25-26 records that they "transgressed against the God of their fathers" and were carried captive by Assyria before the western tribes.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources