Numbers 32:38 Meaning and Explanation
“And Nebo, and Baalmeon, (their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names unto the cities which they builded.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Reuben builds additional cities, some with names changed from their Canaanite originals.
The Context of Numbers 32:38
Reuben rebuilds cities and renames them to mark Israel's claim.
What Does Numbers 32:38 Mean?
Nebo, Baal-Meon, and Shibmah join Reuben's list of settlements. The parenthetical note that 'their names being changed' indicates that these cities had formerly borne Canaanite or Amorite names, and Reuben gave them Hebrew names. This practice of renaming reflects a spiritual claim: by renaming the cities, they marked them as part of Israel's covenant territory rather than foreign outposts.
The phrase 'gave other names unto the cities which they builded' suggests an intentional pattern of cultural and religious transformation, making the conquered territory distinctly Israelite in identity and sacred association.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 32:38
What does Numbers 32:38 mean?
Reuben builds additional cities, some with names changed from their Canaanite originals.
What is the context of Numbers 32:38?
Reuben rebuilds cities and renames them to mark Israel's claim.