Deuteronomy 3

4 all his cities. That is, all his walled towns. Modern travellers have discovered substantial remains of numerous solidly-built deserted cities through the region here called “Argob,” and in the New Testament “Trachonitis,” a volcanic region, once very productive and fully peopled.

8. Hermon. This was the southern part of the eastern range of mountains parallel with Lebanon, and called afterwards Anti-Libanus (now Djebdesh-Sheikh). It seems at that time to have divided the territories of the Amorites from those of the Zidonians. See ver. 9; Josh. xix. 28.

11 giants. Moffatt translates “Titans.” Heb., “Rephaim” (R.V.); and so in ver. 13; one of the aboriginal races, many of whom were of large stature; see Numb. xiii. 33.—Bedstead. Heb., “sarcophagus.” “Iron” is probably the black basalt of the country.—the cubit of a man. Eighteen inches. This verse, with the last clause of ver. 14, is supposed to have been added after the death of Moses.

14. Jair. See note on Numb. xxxii. 41. the coasts. “Border” (R.V.). Geshur and Maachah are further mentioned in Josh. xiii. 13.—Geshuri and Maachathi. “The Geshurites and the Maachathites” (R.V.). See 2 Sam. iii. 3; x. 6; xiii. 37.—Bashan-havoth-jair. Perhaps, “Bashan (i.e., he called) Havoth-jair.”

16 from Gilead, etc. Rather, “from Gilead unto the Arnon valley, the middle of the valley and its boundary,” etc. The deep and precipitous ravine or “wady” through which the Arnon flows being in some parts two miles wide, the middle of it, or where the stream runs, is specified as the boundary.

17. Ashdoth-pisgah. “The slopes of Pisgah” (R.V.).

22. The Lord. Again note the force of “The Eternal,” as in the original. So also in ch. iv., where “The Eternal” is contrasted with the heathen gods (iv. 7, 15, 23, 28, 29).

24 in heaven or in earth. These words refer to the general belief among the heathen as to gods in heaven and on earth. Cp. Psa. lxxxvi. 8.

25 that goodly mountain. This may refer to the general appearance of the land of Canaan, beautifully diversified by its ranges of mountains.