Numbers 32:4
Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle:
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִכָּ֤ה
smote
H5221
הִכָּ֤ה
smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
3 of 12
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
יְהוָה֙
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לִפְנֵי֙
before
H6440
לִפְנֵי֙
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
עֲדַ֣ת
the congregation
H5712
עֲדַ֣ת
the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
6 of 12
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מִקְנֶֽה׃
for cattle
H4735
מִקְנֶֽה׃
for cattle
Strong's:
H4735
Word #:
9 of 12
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
הִ֑וא
H1931
הִ֑וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
10 of 12
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Cross References
Numbers 21:34And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.Numbers 21:24And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong.
Historical Context
Israel defeated Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan (Numbers 21) while traveling the 'King's Highway' north through Transjordan. This territory was never part of God's Abrahamic land promise, which focused on Canaan west of Jordan (Genesis 15:18-21).
Questions for Reflection
- How can you distinguish between God's providential provision and His ultimate purposes for your life?
- When have you used God's blessing as justification for settling short of His best?
- What's the difference between pragmatic wisdom and spiritual presumption in decision-making?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel (הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר הִכָּה יְהוָה לִפְנֵי עֲדַת יִשְׂרָאֵל)—they acknowledge God's military victory using the verb נָכָה (nakah, 'to strike down/defeat'). Yet this acknowledgment becomes an excuse: since God conquered it, why not settle there? Is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle (אֶרֶץ מִקְנֶה הִוא וְלַעֲבָדֶיךָ מִקְנֶה)—the double use of miqneh (livestock/cattle) reveals their primary concern. Perfect logic, wrong conclusion.
They correctly identify God's provision (the land) but incorrectly apply it, confusing divine victory with divine intention. This error recurs throughout Scripture: assuming God's blessing on Plan A indicates approval for our Plan B. The land was smitten 'before' Israel as a conquest route, not a settlement zone. Moses will expose this category mistake, showing how selfish pragmatism masquerades as faith.