Deuteronomy 2:9

Deuteronomy 2:9 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Then the LORD said to me, “Do not harass the Moabites or provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land, because I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as their possession.”

King James Version KJV

And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession.

American Standard Version ASV

And Jehovah said unto me, Vex not Moab, neither contend with them in battle; for I will not give thee of his land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And the Lord said to me, Make no attack on Moab and do not go to war with them, for I will not give you any of his land: because I have given Ar to the children of Lot for their heritage.

Free Bible Version FBV

Then the Lord told me, “Don't cause the Moabites any trouble or fight them, for I'm not going to give you any of their land, because I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot and it belongs to them.”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then the Lord sayd vnto me, Thou shalt not vexe Moab, neither prouoke them to battel: for I wil not giue thee of their land for a possession, because I haue giuen Ar vnto the children of Lot for a possession.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and Jehovah saith unto me, Do not distress Moab, nor stir thyself up against them [in] battle, for I do not give to thee of their land [for] a possession; for to the sons of Lot I have given Ar [for] a possession.'

World English Bible WEB

The LORD said to me, “Don’t bother Moab, neither contend with them in battle; for I will not give you any of his land for a possession, because I have given Ar to the children of Lot for a possession.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And the LORD said to me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar to the children of Lot for a possession.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And the Lord said to me: Fight not against the Moabites, neither go to battle against them: for I will not give thee any of their land, because I have given Ar to the children of Lot in possession.

Translation for Translators T4T

Yahweh said to me, ‘Do not bother/harass the people of Moab, and do not start to fight against them, because I am not going to give you any of their land. Do not forget that they are descendants of Abraham’s nephew Lot, and I have given to them Ar city, their capital, and the other areas in that country.’ ”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 2:9

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Deuteronomy 2:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֵלַ֗/י אֶל תָּ֨צַר֙ אֶת מוֹאָ֔ב וְ/אַל תִּתְגָּ֥ר בָּ֖/ם מִלְחָמָ֑ה כִּ֠י לֹֽא אֶתֵּ֨ן לְ/ךָ֤ מֵֽ/אַרְצ/וֹ֙ יְרֻשָּׁ֔ה כִּ֣י לִ/בְנֵי ל֔וֹט נָתַ֥תִּי אֶת עָ֖ר יְרֻשָּֽׁה

וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

יְהוָ֜ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

אֵלַ֗/י ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep | Suff

אֶל ʼal H408 not Prep

תָּ֨צַר֙ tsûwr H6696 to confine V-Qal-Juss-2ms

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

מוֹאָ֔ב Môwʼâb H4124 Moab N-proper

וְ/אַל ʼal H408 not Conj | Part

תִּתְגָּ֥ר gârâh H1624 to stir up V-Hithpael-Juss-2ms

בָּ֖/ם Prep | Suff

מִלְחָמָ֑ה milchâmâh H4421 battle N-fs

כִּ֠י kîy H3588 for Conj

לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 not Part

אֶתֵּ֨ן nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Imperf-1cs

לְ/ךָ֤ Prep | Suff

מֵֽ/אַרְצ/וֹ֙ ʼerets H776 land Prep | N-cs | Suff

יְרֻשָּׁ֔ה yᵉrushshâh H3425 possession N-fs

כִּ֣י kîy H3588 for Conj

לִ/בְנֵי bên H1121 son Prep | N-mp

ל֔וֹט Lôwṭ H3876 Lot N-proper

נָתַ֥תִּי nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Perf-1cs

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

עָ֖ר ʻÂr H6144 Ar N-proper

יְרֻשָּֽׁה yᵉrushshâh H3425 possession N-fs

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 2:9

וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

יְהוָ֜ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

אֵלַ֗/י ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

אֶל ʼal H408 "not" Prep

Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.

Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.

תָּ֨צַר֙ tsûwr H6696 "to confine" V-Qal-Juss-2ms

To form or shape something, like a potter molds clay, as in Isaiah 29:16.

Definition: 1) to bind, besiege, confine, cramp 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to confine, secure 1a2) to shut in, beseige 1a3) to shut up, enclose

Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: adversary, assault, beset, besiege, bind (up), cast, distress, fashion, fortify, inclose, lay siege, put up in bags. See also: Exodus 23:22; 2 Kings 18:9; Psalms 139:5.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

מוֹאָ֔ב Môwʼâb H4124 "Moab" N-proper

Moab refers to the land and descendants of the son of Lot, who was born out of an incestuous relationship. The land of Moab is mentioned in the book of Numbers and the book of Ruth.

Definition: Combined with a.ra.vah (עֲרָבָה " Plains" H6160I) § Moab = "of his father" the land inhabited by the descendants of the son of Lot

Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: Moab. See also: Genesis 19:37; 2 Kings 3:21; Psalms 60:10.

וְ/אַל ʼal H408 "not" Conj | Part

Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.

Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.

תִּתְגָּ֥ר gârâh H1624 "to stir up" V-Hithpael-Juss-2ms

To stir up or cause strife, this verb is often used to describe conflict or anger. It can also mean to meddle or contend with someone, and is used in various stories in the Bible, including those of war and disagreement. The KJV translates it as 'contend' or 'stir up'.

Definition: 1) to cause strife, stir up, contend, meddle, strive, be stirred up 1a) (Piel) to stir up strife, excite strife 1b)(Hithpael) 1b1) to excite oneself against, engage in strife 1b2) to excite oneself (against foe), wage war

Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: contend, meddle, stir up, strive. See also: Deuteronomy 2:5; Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 28:4.

בָּ֖/ם "" Prep | Suff

מִלְחָמָ֑ה milchâmâh H4421 "battle" N-fs

This word means battle or war, describing a fight or conflict. It is used in the Bible to talk about wars and battles, like the ones in the book of Joshua. The KJV translates it as battle or fight.

Definition: battle, war

Usage: Occurs in 308 OT verses. KJV: battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). See also: Genesis 14:2; 1 Samuel 30:24; 2 Chronicles 13:14.

כִּ֠י kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

אֶתֵּ֨ן nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Imperf-1cs

This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.

Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon

Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.

לְ/ךָ֤ "" Prep | Suff

מֵֽ/אַרְצ/וֹ֙ ʼerets H776 "land" Prep | N-cs | Suff

The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.

Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.

יְרֻשָּׁ֔ה yᵉrushshâh H3425 "possession" N-fs

Inheritance refers to something passed down to someone, like a family heirloom or a piece of land. It describes what is given to the next generation to own and occupy.

Definition: possession, inheritance

Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: heritage, inheritance, possession. See also: Deuteronomy 2:5; Joshua 12:6; Psalms 61:6.

כִּ֣י kîy H3588 "for" Conj

לִ/בְנֵי bên H1121 "son" Prep | N-mp

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

ל֔וֹט Lôwṭ H3876 "Lot" N-proper

Lot was Abraham's nephew, who settled in Sodom and was later rescued by God. His name means covering and he is an important figure in the book of Genesis, particularly in chapters 11-14.

Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.27; son of: Haran (H2039); brother of: Milcah (H4435) and Iscah (H3252); father of: daughter1_of_Lot (H3876H), daughter2_of_Lot (H3876I), Moab (H4124H), Ben-ammi (H1151) Also named: Lōt (Λώτ "Lot" G3091) § Lot = "covering" son of Haran and Abraham's nephew who settled in Sodom and was delivered from its destruction by God

Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: Lot. See also: Genesis 11:27; Genesis 19:5; Psalms 83:9.

נָתַ֥תִּי nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Perf-1cs

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

עָ֖ר ʻÂr H6144 "Ar" N-proper

Ar is a city in Moab, located south of the Arnon river, and may have been the capital. It is mentioned in the Bible as a place in Moab. The city is referenced in the context of the Israelites' interactions with Moab.

Definition: § Ar = "a city" a city of Moab located south of the Arnon river; perhaps the capital

Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: Ar. See also: Numbers 21:15; Deuteronomy 2:18; Isaiah 15:1.

יְרֻשָּֽׁה yᵉrushshâh H3425 "possession" N-fs

Inheritance refers to something passed down to someone, like a family heirloom or a piece of land. It describes what is given to the next generation to own and occupy.

Definition: possession, inheritance

Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: heritage, inheritance, possession. See also: Deuteronomy 2:5; Joshua 12:6; Psalms 61:6.

Study Notes — Deuteronomy 2:9

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Context
Cross References
Deuteronomy 2:9 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 2:9
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 2:9
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:9
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:9
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:9
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 2:9
Barnes' Notes on Deuteronomy 2:9
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:9
Sermons on Deuteronomy 2:9

Context — Wanderings in the Wilderness

7Indeed, the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. The LORD your God has been with you these forty years, and you have lacked nothing. 8So we passed by our brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. We turned away from the Arabah road, which comes up from Elath and Ezion-geber, and traveled along the road of the Wilderness of Moab.

9Then the LORD said to me, “Do not harass the Moabites or provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land, because I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as their possession.”

10(The Emites used to live there, a people great and many, as tall as the Anakites. 11Like the Anakites, they were also regarded as Rephaim, though the Moabites called them Emites.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Genesis 19:36–37	Thus both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father. The older daughter gave birth to a son and named him Moab. He is the father of the Moabites of today.
2	Numbers 21:15	even the slopes of the wadis that extend to the site of Ar and lie along the border of Moab.”
3	Numbers 21:28	For a fire went out from Heshbon, a blaze from the city of Sihon. It consumed Ar of Moab, the rulers of Arnon’s heights.
4	Numbers 22:4	So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will devour everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” Since Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time,
5	Deuteronomy 2:5	Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a footprint, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as his possession.
6	Deuteronomy 2:18–19	“Today you are going to cross the border of Moab at Ar. But when you get close to the Ammonites, do not harass them or provoke them, for I will not give you any of the land of the Ammonites. I have given it to the descendants of Lot as their possession.”
7	Psalms 83:8	Even Assyria has joined them, lending strength to the sons of Lot. Selah
8	Judges 11:17	Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Please let us pass through your land,’ but the king of Edom would not listen. They also sent messengers to the king of Moab, but he would not consent. So Israel stayed in Kadesh.
9	Deuteronomy 2:29	just as the descendants of Esau who live in Seir and the Moabites who live in Ar did for us, until we cross the Jordan into the land that the LORD our God is giving us.”
10	2 Chronicles 20:10	And now, here are the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt; but Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them.

Deuteronomy 2:9 Summary

[God told the Israelites to not bother the Moabites because He had already given them the land of Ar, which was a special gift to the descendants of Lot. This shows that God cares about all people and wants them to have their own space. Just like how we need our own space and boundaries, God respects the boundaries He has set for each nation, as seen in Acts 17:26. We can learn from this verse to respect others and not try to take what is not ours.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did God instruct the Israelites not to harass the Moabites?

God instructed the Israelites not to harass the Moabites because He had given the land of Ar to the descendants of Lot as their possession, as seen in Deuteronomy 2:9. This shows God's care for all nations, including those outside of Israel, as also seen in Genesis 19:37.

What is the significance of the land of Ar in Deuteronomy 2:9?

The land of Ar was given to the descendants of Lot, who was the nephew of Abraham, as seen in Genesis 11:27 and Genesis 19:37. This land was a possession for the Moabites, and God wanted to protect it from the Israelites.

How does this verse relate to God's sovereignty over all nations?

This verse shows that God is sovereign over all nations, including Israel and Moab, and He has a plan for each of them, as seen in Psalm 47:8 and Isaiah 40:15-17. God's instruction to the Israelites to not harass the Moabites demonstrates His care for all nations and His desire for peaceful coexistence.

What can we learn from God's command to not provoke the Moabites to war?

We can learn that God values peace and does not want His people to engage in unnecessary conflict, as seen in Matthew 5:9 and Romans 12:18. This verse also teaches us to respect the boundaries and possessions of others, just as God respects the boundaries He has set for each nation.

Reflection Questions

How can I apply the principle of respecting the boundaries and possessions of others in my own life?
What are some ways that I can demonstrate God's care and love for all nations, including those that may be different from my own?
How can I trust in God's sovereignty over all nations, even when I do not understand His plan?
What are some ways that I can promote peace and avoid conflict in my own relationships and community?

Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 2:9

And the Lord said unto me,.... When upon the borders of Moab: distress not the Moabites, neither contend with than in battle; besiege not any of their cities, nor draw them into a battle, or provoke

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 2:9

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:9

Ar, the chief city of the Moabites, ,28, here put for the whole country, which depended upon it. The children of Lot; so called to signify that this preservation was not for their sakes, for they were a wicked people; but for Lot’ s sake, whose memory God yet honours.

Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:9

Deuteronomy 2:9 And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land [for] a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot [for] a possession.Ver. 9. Because I have given Ar.] The royal city, set upon a hill. God, as a liberal Lord, gives not some small cottage or annuity, for life, to his elder servants, as great men use to do, but bountifully provides for them and theirs to many generations. Who would not serve thee then, O king of nations!

Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:9

(9) Distress not the Moabites . . . I have given Ar unto the children of Lot.—The children of Lot, like those of Ishmael and Esau, had their earthly inheritance before the children of Abraham.

Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 2:9

9. Vex not Moab] Treat not Moab as a foe. neither contend with them] See on Deuteronomy 2:5. Ar] ‘Ar (Numbers 21:15) or ‘Ar of Mo’ab (id. 28) is in these passages a township, probably the same as ‘Ir, or City of, Mo’ab, on the border of Arnon at the end of the border (JE, Numbers 22:36). Musil identifies it with the strong site and ruins of Medeyyneh on an upper tributary of the W. Mτjeb or Arnon (see below on Deuteronomy 2:24; Deuteronomy 2:36) on the edge of the desert (Moab 247, 338 ff. with photo. and plan; cp. the present writer in Enc. Bibl., art. ‘Ar’ and Expositor, seventh series, vol. vii. 138 ff.). But in Syria names have been at all times apt to extend from towns, especially capitals, to their districts and vice versβ. Here ‘Ar obviously is a district: the territory of Mo’ab. So in Isaiah 15:1, LXX render ‘Ar Mo’ab by ἡΜωαβεῖτις. At the time of Israel’s march the name would cover all the land between the W. el-Ḥ ?sa and the W. Mτjeb or Arnon, to the S, of which Mo’ab were confined by the Amorites. children of Lot] Genesis 19:37; Psalms 83:8 (9). Deuteronomy 2:9 is in the Sg. address and elided by Steuern. as the addition of a later hand. But some such warning as it gives in regard to the relations of Israel to Mo’ab was to be expected in this discourse, similar to that on Israel’s relations to Edom and ‘Ammon. The change to the Sg. may be due either to the fact that Moses himself is addressed or because for the moment Israel, in relation to Mo’ab, is regarded as a single whole. Sam. confirms the Heb. Sg.; but LXX has the Pl.

Barnes' Notes on Deuteronomy 2:9

The Moabites and the Ammonites Deuteronomy 2:19 being descended from Lot, the nephew of Abraham Genesis 19:30-38, were, like the Edomites, kinsmen of the Israelites.

Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:9

9. Distress not the Moabites — The Moabites and Ammonites, descendants of Lot, were the kinsmen of the Israelites. Ar — Here the capital is put for the whole land of Moab.

Sermons on Deuteronomy 2:9

	Sermon	Description
	God at War With Flesh by Major Ian Thomas	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the battle between Joshua and Amalek. The preacher emphasizes that the outcome of the battle was not dependent on Joshua's abilities, but ra

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