ויגשו אליו ויאמרו גדרות צאן נבנה למקננו פה… (מטות לב:טז)

Why does the passuk use the phrase “ויגשו אליו”—they approached Moshe when they were already standing in front of him? When Moshe got upset at the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuven, he told them: “והנה קמתם תחת אבותיכם תרבות אנשים חטאים” – “And behold, you arose instead of your ancestors as a civilization of sinful people.” Following such a rebuke, they took a step back. Now, when they wanted to talk to Moshe, they approached him again.