John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 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 of good pasturage for them: Jazer appears to be a well watered country, ( Jeremiah 48:32), and Gilead and Bashan which joined and belonged to the same country of Og, who was king of Bashan, were famous for good feeding of cattle: hence we read of the bulls of Bashan, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats on Mount Gilead that looked plump and sleek; (see Micah 7:14 Deuteronomy 32:14 Psalm 22:12 Song of Solomon 4:1).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Here is a proposal made by the Reubenites and Gadites, that the lan lately conquered might be allotted to them. Two things common in the world might lead these tribes to make this choice; the lust of the eye and the pride of life. There was much amiss in the principle they wen upon; they consulted their own private convenience more than the publi good. Thus to the present time, many seek their own things more tha the things of Jesus Christ; and are led by worldly interests an advantages to take up short of the heavenly Canaan.
Original Hebrew ומקנה4735 רב7227 היה1961 לבני1121 ראובן7205 ולבני1121 גד1410 עצום6099 מאד3966 ויראו7200 את853 ארץ776 יעזר3270 ואת853 ארץ776 גלעד1568 והנה2009 המקום4725 מקום4725 מקנה׃4735
