The tribes of Reuben and Gad owned large herds and flocks. When they saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were rich and perfect for livestock, they approached Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of Israel.
They said, "The land the Lord conquered before Israel — places like Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon — is ideal for our cattle. If we have found favor in your eyes, let this land be given to us as our inheritance. Do not make us cross the Jordan."
But Moses was displeased. He said, "Shall your brothers go to war while you sit here? Why would you discourage the rest of Israel from entering the land the Lord has given them? This is exactly what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land. When they returned from Eshcol Valley, they discouraged the people's hearts, and God's anger burned against them.
He swore that none of those men who came out of Egypt and were twenty years old or more would see the promised land — except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun, who followed Him wholeheartedly. That generation perished in the wilderness after forty years of wandering.
And now," Moses continued, "you stand in their place, another generation of sinners, making the Lord even angrier! If you turn away from Him again, He will abandon this people in the wilderness, and you will destroy them all."
The men of Reuben and Gad quickly replied, "We will build pens here for our livestock and fortified cities for our wives and children. But we will arm ourselves and go ahead of the Israelites to help them take the land. We won't return home until every tribe has received its inheritance. We ask only to receive our inheritance on this side of the Jordan."
Moses agreed, saying, "If you do as you promise — if every one of you goes armed before the Lord into battle until the land is subdued — then afterward you may return and the land of Gilead will belong to you. But if you fail to keep your word, you will be sinning against the Lord, and your sin will find you out. Build your cities and pens, but be sure to do what you have promised."
The tribes answered, "Your servants will do just as the Lord commands. Our wives, children, and livestock will remain here in Gilead, but every man fit for battle will cross over to fight before the Lord."
Moses then instructed Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the tribal leaders, saying, "If the Reubenites and Gadites cross the Jordan armed before the Lord, then give them the land of Gilead as their inheritance. But if they do not cross armed for battle, they must receive their share in Canaan with you."
The tribes replied again, "We will do as the Lord has said. We will cross over armed into Canaan, but our property will remain here."
So Moses gave to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (Joseph's descendants) the kingdoms of Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan, including all their cities and surrounding lands.
The Gadites rebuilt Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, Atroth Shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran — fortifying them and building pens for their flocks.
The Reubenites rebuilt Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, Nebo, Baal Meon (they changed the names), and Sibmah — giving new names to their rebuilt cities.
The descendants of Makir son of Manasseh went to Gilead, captured it, and drove out the Amorites, so Moses gave that land to them, and they settled there. Jair, another descendant of Manasseh, captured nearby settlements and named them Havvoth Jair. Nobah captured Kenath and surrounding towns, naming it after himself.