Numbers - 32:38



38 and Nebo, and Baal Meon, (their names being changed), and Sibmah: and they gave other names to the cities which they built.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Numbers 32:38.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And Nebo, and Baalmeon, (their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names unto the cities which they builded.
and Nebo, and Baal-meon, (their names being changed,) and Sibmah: and they gave other names unto the cities which they builded.
And Nabo, and Baalmeon (their names being changed) and Sabama: giving names to the cities which they had built.
And Nebo, and Baal-meon, (their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names to the cities which they built.
and Nebo, and Baal-Meon (changed in name), and Shibmah, and they call by these names the names of the cities which they have built.
And Nebo, and Baalmeon, (their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names to the cities which they built.
And Nebo and Baal-meon, (their names being changed,) and Sibmah: and they gave other names to the towns they made.
and Nebo, and Baal-meon (their names having been changed) and Sibmah, appointing names for the cities which they had built.
Et Nebo, et Baal-meon versis nominibus, et Sibmah: et vocaverunt nominibus nomina urbium quas aedificaverant.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

And Nebo - their names being changed - That is, Those who conquered the cities called them after their own names. Thus the city Kenath, being conquered by Nobah, was called after his name, Numbers 32:42.

And Nebo, and Baalmeon, (their names being changed,).... For Nebo was the name of an idol, after which perhaps the city was called: Baalmeon signifies "Baal's habitation", and where it is highly probable was a temple of his; and the children of Reuben, not liking to retain such idolatrous names, gave them others, but what they were it is not said; and certain it is, that when these places came into the hands of the Moabites, their ancient names were restored to them, as appears from Isaiah 15:2.
and Shibmah; the same with Shebam, Numbers 32:3, and gave other names unto the cities which they built; but they are neither known, nor did they always continue, as has been observed.

(their names being changed)--either because it was the general custom of conquerors to do so; or, rather, because from the prohibition to mention the names of other gods (Exodus 23:13), as Nebo and Baal were, it was expedient on the first settlement of the Israelites to obliterate all remembrance of those idols. (See Joshua 13:17-20).

Their names changed - Either because conquerers of places used to do so: or because the names of other Gods (which Nebo and Baal - meon unquestionably were) were not to be mentioned, Exodus 23:13.

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