The little ones and the cattle. — It is only in this incidental way that the fact of this being a regular migration is brought out. (Comp. Exodus 12:37.) The women are, of course, included, though not mentioned (Genesis 34:29; 2 Chronicles 20:13).
And the carriage — i.e., “the baggage.” (Comp. Acts 21:15.) The word is hakkebodah, which the LXX. (Cod. A) render “their glorious possession,” and the Vulg. “everything which was precious,” i.e., the valuables. But as cabîd means “to be heavy,” the rendering of the Vatican MS. of the LXX. — “the weight,” i.e., “the heavy baggage” (impedimenta) — may be right. The word has no connection with that similarly rendered in 1 Samuel 17:22.
Before them. — Because they expected pursuit.