Numbers 32:1

“Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle, etc.] By which it seems that they had more in proportion than any of the other tribes; by what means it is not easy to say; very probably they were more addicted to the pastoral life, and took more delight in breeding cattle, and were more diligent in taking care of them: however, the reason for this observation presently follows: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead; Jazer was in the kingdom of Sihon, and Gilead in the kingdom of Og, which had been both conquered by the Israelites: that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; where much cattle was fed, there being a great deal…”

“THE REUBENITES AND GADITES ASK FOR AN INHERITANCE. (Num. 32:1-42) the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead--A complete conquest had been made of the country east of the Jordan, comprising "the land of Jazer," which formed the southern district between the Arnon and Jabbok and "the land of Gilead," the middle region between the Jabbok and Jarmouk, or Hieromax, including Bashan, which lay on the north of that river. The whole of this region is now called the Belka. It has always been famous for its rich and extensive pastures, and it is still the favorite resort of the Bedouin shepherds, who frequently contend for securing to their immense flocks the benefit of its luxuriant vegetation. In…”

“Jazer - Compare the marginal reference. This district, although included in the land of Gilead, seems to have had special attractions for the Israelite settlers. All travelers in Gilead, the modern Belka, bear witness to its richness as compared with the country to the west of the Jordan. Its general character is that of an upland pasture, undulating and thickly timbered. In the last respect its northern portions excel its southern; but for fertility of soil the southern province is preferred by the Arabs, in whose lips it has passed into a proverb: “Thou canst not find a country like the Belka.” return to 'Top of Page'”

“Jazer - A city and country of the Amorites; Gilead - A mountainous country, famous for pasturage Numbers 32:6”

“32:1-5 From the time that Israel occupied the central part of the area east of the Jordan—during the military encounters described in ch 21—Israel had been preparing to invade Canaan. At a moment when the Hebrews needed to safeguard their unity, two tribes asked to settle east of the Jordan River. 32:1 vast numbers of livestock: The Israelites had flocks and herds when they left Egypt (cp. Exod 12:38); they acquired many more animals as loot in the war with Midian (cp. Num 31:32-33) and perhaps in their victories over Sihon and Og (21:21-35). • Gilead can refer either to the whole northern region of the plateau east of the Jordan (e.g., 32:29) or only to the part of that territory between…”

“the children: Num 2:10-15, Num 26:5-7, Num 26:15-18; Gen 29:32, Gen 30:10, Gen 30:11 Jazer: Num 32:3, Num 32:35, Num 21:32, Jaazer, Jos 13:25; Sa2 24:5; Isa 16:8, Isa 16:9 the place: Num 32:26; Gen 13:2, Gen 13:5, Gen 13:10, Gen 13:11, Gen 47:4; Jer 50:19; Mic 7:14; Jo1 2:16 Numbers 32:3”

“The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large flocks and herds, petitioned Moses, Eleazar, and the princes of the congregation, to give them the conquered land of Gilead for a possession, as a land that was peculiarly adapted for flocks, and not to make them pass over the Jordan. מאד עצוּם, "very strong," is an apposition introduced at the close of the sentence to give emphasis to the רב. The land which they wished for, they called the "land of Jazer (see Num 21:32), and the land of Gilead." They put Jazer first, probably because this district was especially rich in excellent pasture land. Gilead was the land to the south and north of the Jabbok (see at Deu 3:10), the modern provinces of…”