Numbers 32:42

• Three clans of Manasseh conquered part of Gilead and Bashan (compare Deuteronomy 3:13–15; Joshua 13:29–31). The exact location of Nobah is still unknown (compare Judges 8:11).

• Havvoth-jair: Compare Deuteronomy 3:14; Joshua 13:30; Judges 10:4; 1 Kings 4:13; 1 Chronicles 2:21–23).

• The tribes of Gad and Reuben, along with half the tribe of Manasseh, settled east of the Jordan River (for example, Deuteronomy 3:12–13; 4:43; 29:7–8). These tribes lived in lands and towns captured from King Sihon the Amorite and King Og of Bashan (Numbers 32:33; see 21:21–35).

• Half the tribe of Manasseh suddenly appears in the discussion about distributing the land. Part of Manasseh's tribe settled east of the Jordan River, while another part settled in Canaan, west of the Jordan (compare Joshua 17:1–12; 22:7).

Nobah--also a distinguished person connected with the eastern branch of the tribe of Manasseh.




Next: Numbers Chapter 33

And Moses gave unto them. We must understand that Moses gave it in such sort, as that, relying on God's command, he laid down an inviolable law. For, although it is not expressly stated that God interposed His authority, still His subsequent approbation fully assures us of it. So also, although no mention is made of Eleazar and the elders, still it is certain that they were not passed over, but that they were united with him in the decision; especially since the case had been brought before them by the sons of Gad and Reuben, (ver. 2.) There is only an implied contrast between the old covenant which God had made with Abraham, and this new and special privilege, wherewith He condescended to enrich His people.

At first only the two tribes had been named; half the tribe of Manasseh is now added, inasmuch as the descendants of Machir, and Jair, and Noball, who were all of the family of Manasseh, had seized upon certain cities, and men. The rendering which some give, as if they [218] had obtained these victories after Moses had permitted the Reubenites and Gadites to inhabit this side of Jordan, does not appear to me suitable; but rather the reason is given why that portion is excepted, which came to the sons of Manasseh, viz., because they were not to be defrauded of the lands which they had separately acquired. Nor is it probable, that, when the country beyond Jordan had been given to others, they afterwards made their incursion so as to appropriate what did not belong to them. The order of the narrative does not make this necessary; for it is common with the Hebrews to transpose the order of occurrences, especially when something before omitted is incidentally added to give a reason for what is done. If, however, any should prefer to believe that they were attracted by the advantage that presented itself, I will not pertinaciously contend the point.

But how does it accord that cities are said to be built which were still standing undestroyed? for we have already seen that the people who had taken them, were dwelling in them. I reply that, inasmuch as it seldom happens that cities are taken without the walls being destroyed, it is not unreasonable that the restoration of these should be called building. It was necessary that the cities should be fortified lest the unarmed multitude [219] should be exposed to the assaults of every enemy. To this end they repaired what had been thrown down, and thus in a manner renewed the cities which were a mass of ruins.

Footnotes:

[212] mqnh, mikneh.

[213] "Que Dieu les avoit conjoints ensemble, afin que les uns teinssent compagnie aux autres;" that God had united them together, so that they should keep company with each other. -- Fr.

[214] See Margin, A.V., ver. 7, "Heb. break."

[215] See Margin, A. V. Ver. 11.

[216] "Or, il conclud du plus petit au plus grand;" he argues then from the less to the greater, that, etc. -- Fr.

[217] trvvt is a noun heemantic, from rvh to increase and multiply. The V. has "incrementa et alumni," as though the Latin translator thought the first word insufficient to express the whole meaning of the Hebrew noun. -- W

[218] C. translates the verbs in ver. 41 in the pluperfect tense, "Jair, the son of Manasseh, had gone and taken, etc."

[219] "La troupe des femmes et des petits enfans;" the multitude of women and little children. -- Fr.

And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof,.... Who this Nobah was is not certain, very probably a descendant of Manasseh; it is said (u) he was among those that were born in Egypt, and died after the death of Moses, and was buried beyond Jordan, as it is said, also did Machir and Jair, so that there were none left but Caleb, and Joshua:

and called it Nobah, after his name; but it seems that in later times its ancient name was restored to it; for Jerom (w), says there was a village in Arabia, called Cannatha, which is supposed to be this place; though he also tells us (x), that eight miles from Heshbon; to the south, is shown a desert place called Naba. Pliny (y) places Cannatha in the Decapolis.

(u) Seder Olam Rabba, c. 9. p. 27. (w) Ut supra. (De loc. Heb. fol. 89. M.) (x) De loc. Heb. fol. 93. H. (y) Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 18.

Nobah, who though not elsewhere named, was doubtless an eminent person of the tribe of Manasseh.

Nobah, whose family is never referred to, but who probably belonged, like Jair, to one of the families of Machirites, took the town of Kenath and its daughters, i.e., the smaller towns dependent upon it (see Num 21:25), and gave it his own name Nobah. The name has not been preserved, and is not to be sought, as Kurtz supposes, in the village of Nowa (Newe), in Jotan, which is mentioned by Burckhardt (p. 443), and was once a town of half an hour's journey in circumference. For Kenath, which is only mentioned again in Ch1 2:23 as having been taken from the Israelites by Gesur and Aram, is Κάναθα, which Josephus (de bell. Jud. i. 19, 2), and Ptolemy speak of as belonging to Coelesyria, and Pliny (h. n. 5, 16) to Decapolis, and which was situated, according to Jerome, "in the region of Trachonitis, near to Bostra." The ruins are very extensive even now, being no less than 2 1/2 or 3 miles in circumference, and containing magnificent remains of palaces from the times of Trajan and Hadrian. It is on the western slope of Jebel Hauran, and is only inhabited by a few families of Druses. The present name is Kanuat. (For description, see Seetzen, i. pp. 78ff.; Burckhardt, pp. 157ff.; cf. Ritter, Erdk.)