Having heard the deferential words of the Gadites and Reubenites, Moses modifies his earlier hard comments and works to reach a compromise with them and an agreement that will preserve the unity of the nation. Verses 20-24 constitute the central portion of the larger discourse structure of chapter 32 (see the introductory comments above). It takes the form of a covenant involving blessings and curses: “if you do X, then you will have Y blessing; but if you do not do X, then Z curse will come to you” (Cole, page 511). The covenant partners are the two tribes of Gad and Reuben on the one side and the remaining ten tribes on the other side. Moses acts as the mediator while the LORD is the divine witness (note the repeated phrase before the LORD) and the supreme arbiter who ensures that all agreements are fulfilled.

So Moses said to them may be rendered “Then Moses replied.”

If you will do this …: In Revised Standard Version the words of Moses in verses 20-22 form one long sentence with a number of conditions under which the request of the Gadites and Reubenites will be granted: If you will do this … then after that…. In many languages it will be better to break up this long sentence into separate imperative sentences for each condition (so Good News Translation). Moses states the proposed agreement in these verses in the form of an oath in Hebrew. Compare also the negative counterpart in verse 23: “But if you will not do so….” Some languages may have idiomatic ways of marking or wording such formal oath declarations. If you will do this is a generic condition that introduces the following specific conditions.

If you will take up arms: See verse 17 for the Hebrew verb here.

To go before the LORD for the war: In verse 17 the Gadites and Reubenites had offered “to go before the people of Israel,” but Moses changes this to going before the LORD for the war. Moses puts the conquest of Canaan on a theological level both here and in the next verse (so Sherwood, page 185). The conquest will be a holy war since the LORD will fight on behalf of his people. Good News Translation renders before the LORD as “in the presence of the LORD,” and Chewa has “before the eyes of Chauta [the LORD].”

And every armed man of you will pass over the Jordan before the LORD: Armed renders the same Hebrew verb (chalats) translated take up arms. Here it can mean either “equip/arm” or “pick out” (see 31.3). New Revised Standard Version follows the first sense by rendering every armed man of you as “all those of you who bear arms.” Good News Translation follows the second sense more with “All your fighting men.” Here Good News Translation renders before the LORD contextually as “under the command of the LORD.”

Until he has driven out his enemies from before him and the land is subdued before the LORD: The LORD is significantly the actor here. In order to make it clear that the pronouns he and him refer to the LORD, Good News Translation renders these two clauses as “until the LORD defeats them 22 and takes possession of the land.” This model will be helpful in many languages. Has driven out is literally “has dispossessed” (as in 21.32). The LORD will take away the land of Canaan from its inhabitants and give it to his people. The Hebrew verb rendered is subdued often expresses the idea of excessive use of power. It is used of subduing nations as well as of subduing or violating a woman (Est 7.8). Since this is a passive verb, many languages will require an active form (so Good News Translation); for example, New Living Translation renders the land is subdued before the LORD as “the LORD has conquered the land,” and New International Readers Version says “the land is under the LORD’s control.”

Then after that you shall return …: Moses now specifies what will happen if the Gadites and Reubenites fulfil the specified conditions. Here he tells them they may return to their own land on the east side of the Jordan. This clause may be rendered “Then after that you may return here” (similarly New International Readers Version).

And be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel is literally “and be clear [or, clean] from the LORD and from Israel.” This idiom refers to being clear of the obligations of a covenant because its conditions have been fulfilled (so Alter, page 849). New Living Translation says “You will have fulfilled your duty to the LORD and to the rest of the people of Israel” (similarly Good News Translation, De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling).

And this land shall be your possession before the LORD: For the Hebrew word rendered possession (ʾachuzzah), see verse 5. Here before the LORD may be rendered “from the LORD” (New Living Translation), “in the eyes of the LORD” (Contemporary Russian Version), or “with the LORD’s approval” (Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie, SPCL). Good News Translation provides a helpful model for this whole clause, saying “Then the LORD will acknowledge that this land east of the Jordan is yours.”

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .