Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle:
Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight,.... Directing their speech to Moses, the ruler of the congregation, in a very modest, decent, and respectable manner: let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession; as their own portion and inheritance, to be enjoyed by them, and their children after them: and bring us not over Jordan; into the land...
Num 32:3-5 In Num 32:3 the country is more distinctly defined by the introduction of the names of a number of important towns, whilst the clause “the country which the Lord smote before the congregation of Israel,” in which the defeat of Sihon is referred to, describes it as one that was without a ruler, and therefore could easily be taken possession of.
Commenting on Numbers 32:3-5