This proposal was very equitable, and it was honestly made and
faithfully executed; though it did not imply that all men
capable of bearing arms should go, and so leave their families
and possessions defenceless, but only a sufficient detachment
of them. Among the inhabitants of the land were the
Ammonites, Moabites, Idumeans, and the remains of the
Midianites and Amorites; and as it was impossible for the
women and children to keep the defenced cities, when placed in
them, many of the men of war must of course stay behind. In
the last census (ch. 26), the tribe of Reuben consisted of
43,730; men; the tribe of Gad 40,500; and the tribe of Manasseh
52,700; the half of which is 26,350; which together amount to
110,580. Now from Jos 4:13, we learn, that of these tribes
only 40,000; armed men passed over Jordan to assist their
brethren: consequently 70,580; men were left behind for the
defence of the women, the children, and the flocks: which was
amply sufficient for this purpose.
34:22 Ge 33:17
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