God gave three gifts to the world, wisdom, strength and wealth. If they
come from God, they are a blessing, otherwise they bring ruin. The
world had two great sages, Balaam among the Gentiles, and Ahithophel
among the Jews, but both of these, on account of their wisdom, lost
this world as well as the world beyond. There were two great heroes in
the world, Samson in Israel, and Goliath among the Gentiles, but both
met death on account of their strength. There were two wealthy men in
the world, Korah among the Jews, and Haman among the Gentiles, and both
perished on account of their wealth. A similar fate overtook the two
and a half tribes that stayed on the hither side of the Jordan. These
had grown very rich in cattle through the spoils of the Midianites, and
therefore preferred the pasture land on the hither side of the Jordan
as their inheritance. But later on their wealth brought them
destruction, because, choosing on their brethren, they were afterwards
the first that were driven from their dwelling place into exile. [864]
How intent these people were upon their possessions is shown in the
words with which they presented their wish to Moses, saying, "We will
build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones,"
showing that they rated the cattle higher than their children, for they
thought of the animals before they considered their children. Moses did
not indeed call them to account for this, but showed them in
unmistakable words that it was their duty first to consider men and
then animals, by saying in his reply to these tribes, "Build you cities
for your little ones, and folds for your sheep." [865]
The land which these tribes had selected was indeed of great
excellence, as even the names of the cities indicate. One was called
Ataroth, "garlanded with fruits;" a second, Dibon, "flowing with
honey;" a third, Jazer, "help," for its possession was a great help to
those who owned it. These other cities in this region that were names
on account of the excellence of the soil were: Nimrah, "gaily colored,"
for the ground of this city was gaily colored with fruits; Sebam,
"perfume," whose fruits scattered a fragrance like perfume; and Nebo,
"produce," because it was distinguished for its excellent product.
[866] This last mentioned city, like Baalmeon, did not retain its name
when it passed into Israel's possession, for they wanted to have not
cities that bore the names of idols, and therefore gave them new names.
[867] Many another town as well received a new name from the
Israelites, just as Nobah gave his own name to the city of Kenath that
he had gained by arms, hoping in this way to immortalize his name, for
he had no children. His name was, however, not preserved in this way,
for after the death of the conqueror, the old name of Kenath returned
again. [868]
It was among the possessions of these two and a half tribes also that
Moses shortly before his death founded the cities of refuge. Moses in
this instance illustrates the proverb, "Whosoever loves pious deeds,
never has enough of them." Although God had told Moses that he would
never cross to the other side of the Jordan, he still insisted upon at
least determining the site for the asylum in the region of the East
Jordan. God gave Moses the law concerning the cities of refuge in
accordance with Israel's wish. For the people said to God: "Lord of the
world! Thou didst promise us a long course of life as a reward for
fulfilling the commandments, but supposing now that a man hath slain
another unintentionally, and the avenger of the blood slays him, he
will die before his time." God then said to Moses: "As truly as thou
livest, they speak wisely. Appoint therefore several cities for cities
of refuge, 'that the manslayer might flee thither, which slayeth his
neighbor unawares.'" Moses rejoiced greatly at this statute, and
instantly set about its execution, for "he that hath tasted of a food
knoweth its flavor," and Moses who had erstwhile been obliged to flee
on account of having slain an Egyptian, knew the feelings of the man
who is pursued on account of a manslaughter that he had committed
unawares. [869]