32:1–42 The tribes of Reuben and Gad, possessors of much livestock, requested permission to settle in the Transjordan territory (the region east of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea) already conquered (vv. 1–5; cf. 21:24–26, 31–35). Because all of Israel was to participate in the conquest and because their departure would dishearten the other tribes, Moses sternly warned them against the sin of the Exodus generation (vv. 6–15). His admonition includes a classic recognition of God’s sovereign dominion as judge: “be sure your sin will find you out” (v. 23).