The Meaning of Numbers 32:5 Explained

Numbers 32:5

KJV: Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan.

YLT: And they say, 'If we have found grace in thine eyes, let this land be given to thy servants for a possession; cause us not to pass over the Jordan.'

Darby: and they said, If we have found favour in thine eyes, let this land be given to thy servants for a possession: bring us not over the Jordan.

ASV: And they said, If we have found favor in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession; bring us not over the Jordan.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Wherefore, said  they, if we have found  grace  in thy sight,  let this land  be given  unto thy servants  for a possession,  [and] bring us not over  Jordan. 

What does Numbers 32:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Numbers 32:1-19 - Seeking Inheritance Beyond Jordan
Reuben and Gad were contiguous to each other when the host encamped. They had, therefore, many opportunities for conference, and finally united in asking permission to settle on the east of Jordan, where vast tracks of pasturage were eminently suited to their flocks. They have been held up as types of those whose "much cattle" hinder the realization to the full of the heavenly inheritance. Certainly many professing Christians live on the world's side of the Cross. They have no desire to share in the crucifixion of the self-life, if only they may build sheepcotes and cities and provide for their little ones. "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than"¦."
At first Moses was indignant at the request, thinking that they desired to evade the hardships, but their explanation modified his wrath. Be swift to hear, slow to speak! [source]

Chapter Summary: Numbers 32

1  The Reubenites and Gadites ask for inheritance on the east side of Jordan
6  Moses reproves them
16  They offer him conditions with which he is content
33  Moses assigns them the land
39  They conquer it

What do the individual words in Numbers 32:5 mean?

Therefore they said if we have found favor in your sight let be given - land this to your servants as a possession not do take us over the Jordan
וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ אִם־ מָצָ֤אנוּ חֵן֙ בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ יֻתַּ֞ן אֶת־ הָאָ֧רֶץ הַזֹּ֛את לַעֲבָדֶ֖יךָ לַאֲחֻזָּ֑ה אַל־ תַּעֲבִרֵ֖נוּ הַיַּרְדֵּֽן

וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ  Therefore  they  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
מָצָ֤אנוּ  we  have  found 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common plural
Root: מָצָא  
Sense: to find, attain to.
חֵן֙  favor 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֵן  
Sense: favour, grace, charm.
בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ  in  your  sight 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, cdc, second person masculine singular
Root: עֹונָה 
Sense: eye.
יֻתַּ֞ן  let  be  given 
Parse: Verb, QalPass, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הָאָ֧רֶץ  land 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
הַזֹּ֛את  this 
Parse: Article, Pronoun, feminine singular
Root: זׄאת  
Sense: this, this one, here, which, this … that, the one … the other, such.
לַעֲבָדֶ֖יךָ  to  your  servants 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: עֶבֶד  
Sense: slave, servant.
לַאֲחֻזָּ֑ה  as  a  possession 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֲחֻזָּה  
Sense: possession, property.
תַּעֲבִרֵ֖נוּ  do  take  us  over 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, second person masculine singular, first person common plural
Root: עָבַר 
Sense: to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress.
הַיַּרְדֵּֽן  the  Jordan 
Parse: Article, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: יַרְדֵּן  
Sense: the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approx 200 miles (320 km).