but we ourselves will be armed ready to go before the sons of Israel, until we have brought them to their place, while our little ones live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.This is a very honorable agreement that the two tribes come to. They are able to leave their families behind instead of dragging them off to the war camp, in exchange for leading the charge to war. They have, at this moment, now gained the most, so they are taking the most risk. Meanwhile, their families are able to start building lives years before the other tribes.
One thing that confuses me is how they need to live in fortified cities because of the inhabitants. Weren't they commanded to eradicate all the inhabitants? Or does that command only apply somehow to those across the Jordan? While I'll grant that they didn't do any better beyond the Jordan than before, why were any spared, much less in a condition to threaten the Israelites? Are they worried about outside raiders, perhaps? I don't think so, but I guess it's possible.
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