Numbers 32:42
And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name.
Original Language Analysis
נֹ֖בַח
And Nobah
H5025
נֹ֖בַח
And Nobah
Strong's:
H5025
Word #:
1 of 11
nobach, the name of an israelite, and of a place east of the jordan
הָלַ֔ךְ
went
H1980
הָלַ֔ךְ
went
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
2 of 11
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וַיִּלְכֹּ֥ד
and took
H3920
וַיִּלְכֹּ֥ד
and took
Strong's:
H3920
Word #:
3 of 11
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֹתֶ֑יהָ
and the villages
H1323
בְּנֹתֶ֑יהָ
and the villages
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
7 of 11
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
וַיִּקְרָ֧א
thereof and called
H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֧א
thereof and called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
8 of 11
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
Historical Context
These Transjordan cities became important in later Israelite history—some served as Levitical cities, others as refuge cities. Ramoth-gilead (v.{v}) became significant battleground where King Ahab died (1 Kings 22). Archaeological excavations at sites like Heshbon, Dibon, and others confirm occupation during this period, validating biblical historical claims.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Scripture's detailed geographical precision demonstrate that biblical faith is historical and verifiable, not mythological or abstract?
- What does the real-world, place-specific nature of biblical narrative teach about God's involvement in actual history rather than mere spiritual ideas?
- How can you cultivate confidence in Christianity as historical religion based on events that actually occurred in space and time?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Verse 42 continues the geographical details of tribal settlements—These verses enumerate specific cities and territories assigned to Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh in Transjordan. The detailed place names (many now archaeologically identified) demonstrate historical reliability of biblical records and emphasize that spiritual inheritance has concrete, real-world manifestation.
The extensive geographical detail teaches that God's covenant faithfulness operates in space-time history, not mythological abstraction. Christianity is fundamentally historical religion—God acts in real places at real times among real people. Luka's Gospel emphasizes this: 'In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar... the word of God came to John' (Luke 3:1-2)—biblical faith is anchored in datable, locatable historical events.