In verses 31-32 the Gadites and Reubenites summarize the covenant in the presence of Eleazar, Joshua, and the other Israelite leaders. This repetition underscores the significance of the covenant.

And the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben answered may be rendered “The leaders of Gad and Reuben replied.”

As the LORD has said to your servants, so we will do: The Gadites and Reubenites promise to fulfil the covenant in obedience to the LORD. They refer to the LORD as a witness to their oath (so Cole, page 514). For your servants, see verses 4 and 25. Instead of your servants, Good News Translation uses the word “Sir” to express their deference toward Moses. New Living Translation provides a helpful model for this sentence, saying “We are your servants, and we will do as the LORD has commanded!”

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .