Deuteronomy 2

QUESTIONS, LESSON TWO (Deuteronomy 2:1-23)

From what geographical point does Deuteronomy 2:1 begin?

In what year of Israel’s history do the events of this lesson take place?

How long between Aaron’s death on mount Hor and the arrival of Israel at the brook Zered?

Briefly, show how the wandering period as such is not represented in Numbers and Deuteronomy as a single encampment at Kadesh when the two accounts are properly harmonized.

How many years between the first and second stay at Kadesh?

How do you explain the change in Edom’s attitude toward Israel?

Why not vex Moab or Ammon?

Who dispossessed the following peoples:

(a)

Horites?

(b)

Avvim?

(c)

Rephaim?

What significant historical fact is noted as Israel arrives at the brook Zered?

SUMMARY OF CHAPTER TWO

Moses continues to relate how they compassed Mount Seir, 1. And the commands they received not to meddle with the descendants of Esau, 2-8; nor to distress the Moabites, 9. Of the Emims, 10, 11; the Horims, 12. Their passage of the brook Zered, 13. The time they spent between Kadesh-barnea and Zered, 14; during which all the men of war that came out of Egypt were consumed, 15, 16. The command not to distress the Ammonites, 17-19. Of the Zamzummims, 20. the Anakims, 21. the Horims, 22. the Avims and Caphtorims, all destroyed by the Ammonites, 23. They are commanded to cross the river Arnon, and are promised the land of Sihon, king of the Amorites, 24, 25. Of the message sent to Sihon, to request a passage through his territories, 26-29. His refusal, 30. The consequent war, 31, 32. His total overthrow, 33; and extermination of his people, 34. The spoils that were taken, 35. And his land possessed from Aroer to Arnon by the Israelites, 36; who took care, according to the command of God, not to invade any part of the territories of the Ammonites, 37.

Deuteronomy 2:1-8

LESSON TWO Deuteronomy 2:1-23

4. PASSING THROUGH EDOM (Deuteronomy 2:1-8)

Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as Jehovah spake unto me; and we compassed mount Seir many days. 2 And Jehovah spake unto me, saying, 3 Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward. 4 And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the border of your brethren the children of Esau, that dwell in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. Take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore; 5 contend not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot to tread on; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession. 6 Ye shall purchase food of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink. 7 For Jehovah thy God hath blessed thee in all the work of thy hand; he hath known thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years Jehovah thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing. 8 So we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, that dwell in Seir, from the way of the Arabah from Elath and from Eziongeber. And we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 2:1-8

Please notice the time element in Deuteronomy 2:1, Then we turned,when?

Trace on the map the journey here mentioned.

How many years from the time that Jacob and Esau parted company until the day when Israel was to pass through the territory of Esau?

Was there some reason for the fear of the children of Esau?

Why had Jehovah blessed Esau? In what manner?

Where did Israel obtain the money for purchase of food and water?

Give two events that occurred on their way from Kadesh to Zered.

How is it that the attitude of Esau has changed so radically?

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 2:1-8

Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea, as the Lord directed me; and for many days we journeyed around Mount Seir. 2 And the Lord spoke to me [Moses], saying, 3 You have roamed around this mountain country long enough; turn northward. 4 And command the Israelites, You are to pass through the territory of your kinsmen the sons of Esau, who live in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. So watch yourselves carefully; 5 Do not provoke or stir them up; for I will not give you of their land, no, not enough for the sole of your foot to tread on, for I have given Mount Seir to Esau for a possession.

6 You shall buy food of them for money, that you may eat, and you shall also buy water of them for money, that you may drink. 7 For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand; He knows your walking through this great wilderness; these forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing. 8 So we passed on from our brethren the sons of Esau, who dwelt in Seir, away from the Arabah (wilderness) and from Elath, and from Ezion-geber. We turned and went by the way of the wilderness of Moab.

COMMENT 2:1-8

THEN WE TURNED (Deuteronomy 2:1)That is, from Kadesh (Deuteronomy 1:46). Now the punishment period of Israel’s stay in the wilderness is over. They are not now wandering about from camp to camp, but given definite direction to proceed toward their promised home in Canaan.

We have treated the statement of Moses in Deuteronomy 1:46, So ye abode in Kadesh many days, as a summary statement which is not intended to tell all that went on at Kadesh, or how many times Israel encamped there. The fact of the matter is, that there is an approximate thirty-seven[14] year interim between Chapter s one and two of Deuteronomy. The reason for omitting the details of that long wandering period is simple: it does not suit the hortatory nature of Moses-’ address to Israel. The many days at Kadesh include a prolonged stay upon the first visit, a return to it after years of wandering, and another prolonged stay. Chapter two, which begins Israel’s journey around Edom, comes at the conclusion of their wilderness journeys and at the end of their second stay at Kadesh. This is such an important concept in the chronology that we feel compelled to include McGarvey’s excellent treatment of the case. The design of his remarks are primarily to refute certain Higher Critic’s charges that the account in Numbers concerning the length of stay in Kadesh differs with the record of Deuteronomyhence showing different authorship. His refutation is also a very competent explanation of Deuteronomy 1:46 to Deuteronomy 2:1. The reader will do well to follow it carefully.

[14] Thirty-eight by the time Israel reaches the Zered river. See Deuteronomy 2:14 and notes.

It is universally assumed by destructive critics that the stay of Israel at Kadesh-Barnea is represented in Numbers as lasting thirty-eight years; while in Deuteronomy, contrary to this, they spent the thirty-eight years circling Mount Seir. [15]

[15] Statements by Driver and Wellhauser are then cited. In part, Driver’s statement is, … the representation in Deut. ii. 1, 14, according to which the thirty-eight years of the wanderings are occupied entirely with circling Mount Seir, will be irreconcilable with JE (that is, with Numbers). He has followed Wellhausen who said the emigrants settled at Kadesh, remaining there for many years.

The only way to determine the reality of this alleged contradiction is to trace carefully the representations in the two books separately, and then compare them to see their differences, if any appear. We begin with that in Numbers. In 14:25, after the sentence has been pronounced on the men of that generation, God issues the command, -Tomorrow turn ye, and get you into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.-’ Driver says of this, -Whether they did this, is not stated;-’ and it is true that it is not stated; but the command was given, and Moses, who was the leader and commander of the host, always moved at God’s command; and the pillar of cloud, which guided every movement, undoubtedly did the same. It is not necessary, then, that the text should say that they did move. On the contrary, it would require a statement of the text that they did not move, to justify us in supposing that they did not. But this inference, plain as it is, is not our only ground for concluding that they obeyed the command. In later verses of the same chapter (32, 33) God says to the people: -Your carcasses shall fall in the wilderness. And your children shall be wanderers in the wilderness forty years, and shall bear your whoredoms, until your carcasses be consumed in the wilderness.-’ How could they be -wanderers in the wilderness forty years-’ if they remained thirty-eight years at Kadesh? It is necessarily implied that they were to leave Kadesh and wander about. [In Deuteronomy, this entire period of wandering (i.e. the period of punishment or curse after their refusal to go up and conquer the land) is covered in six versesDeu 1:40-46.]

The narrative next proceeds through Chapter s 15-19 of Numbers, with a group of new statutes (Numbers 15:1-41); the acount of the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16:40); the punishment of those who murmured over the fate of these men and their fellow conspirators (Numbers 16:41-50); the confirmation of Aaron’s priesthood (Numbers 17:1-13); some new statutes in reference to the priesthood and the Levites (Numbers 18:1-32); and the statute in reference to the ashes of the red heifer (Numbers 19:1-22). Then comes the statement; -And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month; and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there-’ (Numbers 20:1). How could it be here said that after these intervening events -they came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and abode in Kadesh,-’ if they had been in Kadesh during the whole intervening time? Undoubtedly, this is a return to Kadesh; and the assertion that they -abode in Kadesh,-’ [also in Deuteronomy 1:46] grossly misinterpreted as referring to the whole thirty-eight years, clearly refers to the stay there after this return. The first month here mentioned, as all parties agree, is the first month of the fortieth year. We need not go outside the Book of Numbers, then, the very book which is charged with teaching that Israel abode at Kadesh thirty-eight years, to see that by necessary implications it shows that they left Kadesh after the affair of the spies, wandered in the wilderness until all but the last of the forty years had expired, and then returned again to Kadesh.

This conclusion, drawn from the course of events, is sustained by the evidence of the itinerary of the wilderness wanderings, also recorded in Numbers. In this itinerary (Numbers 33) Kadesh is mentioned only once, it being the intention of the writer to name the forty-two places of formal encampment, without regard to the number of times that Israel may have encamped at any one place. When Kadesh is mentioned, it is, as we have seen, in connection with the arrival there in the first month of the fortieth year. But they reached that place [the first time], and sent forth the twelve spies at the time of the first ripe grapes in the second year out of Egypt (Numbers 13:20). Hazeroth is the last camping-place mentioned in the account of the journey before reaching Kadesh (Numbers 12:16, cf. Numbers 13:26); but in the itinerary there are between Hazeroth and Kadesh nineteen encampments. This could not have been true of the first arrival in Kadesh: consequently we must conclude that these nineteen encampments were made between the first and second arrival in that place, or during the wanderings of thirty-eight years, of which we know but little. Thus it appears, from every point of view furnished by the Book of Numbers, that this interval of thirty-eight years was not spent at Kadesh, but at emcampments lying in between the first and second visit to that place.

Now let us turn to Deuteronomy, and see if there is anything there to contradict this conclusion. Here in (Deuteronomy 2:14), Moses says to the people: -And the days in which we came from Kadesh-Barnea, until all the generation of the men of war were consumed from the midst of the camp, as Jehovah sware unto them.-’ The terms here employed show that he is counting from the time that Jehovah sware this; that is, from the first visit to Kadesh. This is made equally clear by the fact that the places of encampment since the last visit to that place are named in Numbers 33:38-44, and they are only five in number. The first of them, Mount Hor, was reached in the fifth month of the last year of the wanderings (Numbers 33:38), and the others were passed a little later in the same year. The -many days-’ that were passed in compassing Mount Seir (the land of Edom), which Driver understands as including the thirty-eight years, were spent after leaving Kadesh the last time; for Moses says: -So ye abode in Kadesh many days, according to the days that ye abode there. Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as Jehovah spake to me: and we compassed mount Seir many days-’ (Deuteronomy 1:46 to Deuteronomy 2:1). The circuit occupied many days compared with the small space around which they had to pass. The many days which they spent in Kadesh included the forty spent by the spies in their march through Canaan, together with some days previous, and some days after this march, and, during the last visit, the days of mourning for Miriam, probably thirty, [cf. Numbers 20:29, Deuteronomy 34:8] and much the greater part of the time from the first month to the fifth, in which they reached Mount Hor (Numbers 20:1; Numbers 20:22 [and Numbers 33:38-39]).[16]

[16] Authorship of Deuteronomy, pp. 91-94. Our additions are in brackets.

AND TOOK OUR JOURNEY INTO THE WILDERNESS BY THE WAY TO THE RED SEA (Deuteronomy 2:1)A glance at the map will show that their journey brought them next to the northeast arm of the Red Sea, the gulf of Aqaba, in their journey around mount Seir.

AND WE COMPASSED MOUNT SEIR MANY DAYS (Deuteronomy 2:1)This was literally true. Commencing their journey at Kadesh on the west, they travelled along the western side of the mountain range of Seir or Edom to Ezion-geber; then they turned and passed close to its southern border; then they turned again and traversed the wilderness of Arabia, close to the eastern border; and they finally entered and marched across Moab on its northern border.[17]

[17] Josiah L. Porter, in The New Self-Interpreting Bible Library

This was the land of Esau or Edom (cf. Deuteronomy 2:8, Numbers 21:4, Genesis 32:3). The Number’s account of this journey (Deuteronomy 21:4-9) indicates an especially difficult one, for the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way, and they spake against God, and against Moses. The result was the sending of the fiery serpents and much people of Israel died. The Apostle Paul therefore exhorts us, Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer (1 Corinthians 10:10). A fiery serpent of brass was made at the command of God, and set upon a standard, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived (Numbers 21:9)a blessed figure of Christ himself: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life (John 3:14-15).

Unfortunately, this brazen serpent was later worshipped as an idol. It was finally destroyed during Hezekiah’s reign (2 Kings 18:4).

On the time involved in this journey, see under Deuteronomy 2:14.

YE ARE TO PASS THROUGH THE BORDER OF YOUR BRETHREN THE CHILDREN OF ESAU (Deuteronomy 2:4)Compare this statement with verse eight, So we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau. That is, they went through the east side of Edom, thus, in a sense, went by them.[18] They bypassed mount Seir as such. Israel had previously attempted to go through by entering from the southwest, sending messengers from Kadesh (Numbers 20:14-22), but this was neither the will of Edom nor of God.. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him. (Numbers 20:20-21) Had God intended for Israel to take this route, defeat of the Edomites would have been no problem. But his directions were otherwise. Moses-’ record states, Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as Jehovah spake unto me. (Deuteronomy 2:1). One observes God’s specific directions all through this passage. And their bitter defeat at Hormah (Deuteronomy 1:44) when they attempted to battle the Amorites without God’s approval, must still have been in the minds of the very few of the older generation that were still alive.

[18] Others understand verse eight to mean simply, so we got by (past) our other brethren the children of Esaui.e., without any trouble or battle. Nevertheless, Israel’s course was through part of their country.

The first route would have been much shorter and easier, for it was to be along the king’s highway (Numbers 20:17) whereas this route was extremely difficult, and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way (Numbers 21:4). But Israel was always blessed when God’s directions were followedeven if such obedience meant difficulties.

Their first attempt to pass through this country, prior to encompassing the land, had been flatly refused (Numbers 20:14-21) This was after the nearly thirty-eight years of punishment, for their return to Kadesh was on the first month of the fortieth year (Numbers 20:1). Israel’s offer at that time was generous and kind enough: Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy land: we will not pass through field or through vineyard, neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go along the king’s highway; we will not turn aside to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy border.. And if we drink of thy water, I and my cattle, then will I give the price thereof: let me only, without doing anything else, pass through on my feet (Numbers 20:17; Numbers 20:19). Edom’s answer was an armed troop that came out against Israel.. wherefore Israel turned away from him. And they journeyed from Kadesha statement that coincides exactly with Deuteronomy 1:46 to Deuteronomy 2:1. Then follows (in Numbers) the death of Aaron at mount Hor, mourning for him for thirty days, a victory over the Canaanites at Hormah, and the long discouraging circuit of mount Seir, with the murmuring and the punishment by serpents.

Finally, God is able to say Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward (Deuteronomy 2:3). And now, after many days, somehow Edom’s whole disposition toward Israel has drastically changed! The very privileges Edom had previously refused, are now allowed, Water and food are purchased (Deuteronomy 2:6). So we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau (Deuteronomy 2:8).

Why the great change in Edom’s attitude? Why the kindness now, where there had been hostility and enmity? Simply because God had now decided that his people were to go through. In his own good time, God decrees the blessings that are appropriate for his peopleand no earthly power is able to thwart his designs, Nebechadnezzar expressed this very truth when he said of God, … he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth (Daniel 4:35); and Daniel himself could say to Belshazzar that the Most High God ruleth in the kingdom of men,. he setteth up over it whosoever he will (Daniel 5:21).

Deuteronomy 2:8-15

5. PASSING THROUGH MOAB (Deuteronomy 2:8-15)

And we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab. 9 And Jehovah said unto me, Vex not Moab, neither contend with them in battle; for I will not give thee of this land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession. 10 (The Emim dwelt therein aforetime, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakim: 11 these also are accounted Rephaim, as the Anakim; but the Moabites call them Emim. 12 The Horites also dwelt in Seir aforetime, bur the children of Esau succeeded them; and they destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which Jehovah gave unto them.) 13 Now rise up, and get you over the brook Zered. And we went over the brook Zered. 14 And the days in which we came from Kadesh-barnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, were thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were consumed from the midst of the camp, as Jehovah sware unto them, 15 Moreover the hand of Jehovah was against them, to destroy them from the midst of the camp, until they were consumed.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 2:8-15

From whence came the Moabites? Cf. Genesis 19:30-38.

There are three names for giants; what are they?

What and where is Ar?

Compare Numbers 13:33 with Deuteronomy 2:10 and state the significance.

How did Moses know of this history of the Rephaim and Horites?

Is there a time when the mercy of God ends and judgment begins? At what point?

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 2:9-15

9 And the Lord said to me, Do not trouble or assault Moab or contend with them in battle, for I will not give you any of their land for a possession, because I have given Ar to the sons of Lot for a possession. 10 (The Emim dwelt there in times past, a people great and many, and tall as the Anakim; 11 These also are known as Rephaim [of giant stature], as are the Anakim, but the Moabites call them Emim. 12 The Horites also formely lived in Seir, but the sons of Esau dispossessed them and destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did to the land of their possession, which the Lord gave to them.) 13 Now rise up, and go over the brook Zered. So we went over the brook Zered. 14 And the time from our leaving Kadesh-barnea until we had come over the brook Zered was thirty-eight years, until the whole generation of the men of war had perished from the camp, as the Lord had sworn to them. 15 Moreover the hand of the Lord was against them, to exterminate them from the midst of the camp, until they were all gone.

COMMENT 2:8-15

Numbers 21:10-13 supplies us with a geographical link between this passage and the former. And the children of Israel journeyed, and encamped in Oboth (Deuteronomy 2:10). Oboth (meaning water skins) is located near the south end of the Dead Sea and east of Edom. After Oboth they encamped at Iye-abarim (Literally, ruins of Abarim) in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrising (Deuteronomy 2:11). Numbers 33:44 simply refers to the latter station as in the border of Moab.

VEX NOT MOAB (Deuteronomy 2:9)Moab and Ammon were the incestuous sons of Lot, Abraham’s nephew, (Genesis 11:27-28; Genesis 19:30-38). Thus as in Deuteronomy 2:8 the Edomites as our brethren the children of Esau (because Esau was Jacob’s brother) were not to be molested, so here the children of Lot, whom God had given this land, were not to be attacked in battle.

BECAUSE I HAVE GIVEN AR UNTO THE CHILDREN OF LOT FOR A POSSESSION (Deuteronomy 2:9)In Deuteronomy 2:18 Ar is called the border of Moab, and is apparently the city of Moab, Numbers 22:36, where we have the additional statement, which is on the border of the Arnon which is in the utmost part of the [eastern] border. Ar of Moab (Numbers 21:28, Isaiah 15:1) was a leading city on the upper reaches of the Arnon river, It appears from both this context and the various happenings in the closing Chapter s of Numbers, that at this period the northern boundary of Moab extended along the northeast shore of the Dead Sea to the mouth of the Jordan (Numbers 33:49). They are still in the plains of Moab and the land of Moab as Deuteronomy closes (Deuteronomy 34:1; Deuteronomy 34:5-8).

THE EMIM DWELT THEREIN AFORETIME, A PEOPLE GREAT, AND MANY, AND TALL, AS THE ANAKIM: THESE ALSO ARE ACCOUNTED REPHAIM, AS THE ANAKIM: BUT THE MOABITES CALLED THEM EMIM, (Deuteronomy 2:10-11)The Rephaim, an ancient race of large stature, dwelt in quite an extensive area surrounding the Dead Sea. The Moabites called them Emim, but the Ammonites called them Zamzummim (Deuteronomy 2:20). We first encounter them in the siege of Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:5), and God had pledged their land to Abraham’s seed (Genesis 15:18-21). The word is rendered giant with reference to Goliath in 1 Chronicles 20:4. It appears that the Emm, the Anakim, and the Rephaim, were probably the same people, called by different names in the different countries where they dwelt; for they appear originally to have been a kind of wandering free-booters, who lived by plunder.Clarke

Such persons had originally struck terror into the heart of the spies and then the people (Numbers 13:33). But now Israel goes forth to conquer the same gigantic race!

THE HORITES ALSO DWELT IN SEIR AFORETIME, BUT THE CHILDREN OF ESAU SUCCEEDED THEM. AS ISRAEL DID UNTO THE LAND OF HIS POSSESSION, WHICH JEHOVAH GAVE UNTO THEM (Deuteronomy 2:12If Moses wrote these words on the plains of Moab as stated in Deuteronomy 1:1 (cf. Deuteronomy 34:1; see also Deuteronomy 31:9; Deuteronomy 31:24), there is no need to suppose this passage to be the work of some editor or redactor. But even if this, and other brief historical passages we will meet in this book, be the work of a later editor, the inspiration and veracity of Deuteronomy is not altered one iota. It was universally accepted by the Jews that Ezra was the writer of these historical notes, and he was just as inspired as Moses.[19]

[19] See the article on the authorship at the conclusion of this volume.

Israel had, indeed by that time dispossessed many of the native inhabitants east of the Jordan. And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all of the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the towns thereof. So they smote him [Sihon, king of the Amorites at Heshbon], and his sons and all his people, until there was none left him remaining: and they possessed his land (Numbers 21:25; Numbers 21:35).

AND WE WENT OVER THE BROOK ZERED (Deuteronomy 2:13)Later, the natural boundary between Edom and Moab, flowing northwesterly into the Dead Sea at its southern extremity.

AND THE DAYS IN WHICH WE CAME FROM KADESH-BARNEA, UNTIL WE WERE COME OVER THE BROOK ZERED, WERE THIRTY AND EIGHT YEARS; UNTIL ALL THE GENERATION OF THE MEN OF WAR WERE CONSUMED (Deuteronomy 2:14)That is, from their first visit at Kadesh, mentioned in Deuteronomy 1:19. See notes under Deuteronomy 1:46 and Deuteronomy 2:1. It had only been a matter of months from their second visit to that place, for their second arrival was in the first month of the fortieth year (Numbers 20:1). After that, Miriam died (mourned for thirty days?), the incident at Meribah takes place, and Israel is refused passage through Edom (Numbers 20:2-21). Then they journeyed from Kadesh (Numbers 20:22), stopping soon at Mount Hor, where Aaron died and was mourned for thirty days (Numbers 20:22-29). His death was on the first day of the fifth month of the fortieth year (Numbers 33:38). Then follows a victory over the Canaanite king Arad (Numbers 21:1-3), the discouraging trip around mount Seir just mentioned (which includes the Brazen Serpent incident) and finally their arrival at the Zered river. And by the time Moses begins this discourse just east of the Jordan, it is the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month (Deuteronomy 1:3). Thus though we do not know how long a time is covered by the many-’ days of Deu 2:1, we do know that from Aaron’s death and mourning period (40th year, 6thmonth) till their arrival at the Zered river was a period of six months.

MOREOVER, THE HAND OF JEHOVAH WAS AGAINST THEM (Deuteronomy 2:15)That is, his decree (that the numbered Israelites be destroyed) was to be fulfilled before Israel could enter their promised country. All the men of war were dead by the time they crossed the northeastern border of Moab (Deuteronomy 2:16-18).

Deuteronomy 2:16-23

6. PASSING THROUGH AMMON (Deuteronomy 2:16-23)

16 So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people, 17 that Jehovah spake unto me, saying, 18 Thou art this day to pass over Ar, the border of Moab; 19 and when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, vex them not, nor contend with them; for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon for a possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession. 20 (That also is accounted a land of Rephaim: Rephaim dwelt therein aforetime; but the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, 21 a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakim; but Jehovah destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead; 22 as he did for the children of Esau, that dwell in Seir, when he destroyed the Horites from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day: 23 and the Avvim, that dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, that came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead,)

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 2:16-23

Whence came the Ammonites?

Locate and identify the Zamzummim, the Avvim, the Cophtorim.

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 2:16-23

16 So when all the men of war had died from among the people. 17 The Lord spoke to me [Moses], saying, 18 You are this day to pass through Ar, the border of Moab. 19 But when you come near the territory of the sons of Ammon, do not trouble or assault them, or provoke or stir them up, for I will not give you any of the land of the Ammonites for a possession, because I have given it to the sons of Lot for a possession. 20 (That also is known as the land of Rephaim [of giant stature]; Rephaim dwelt there formerly, but the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, 21 A people great and many, and tall as the Anakim; but the Lord destroyed them before [Israel]; and they dispossessed them and settled in their stead; 22 As He did for the sons of Esau, who dwell in Seir, when He destroyed the Horites from before them, and they dispossessed them, and settled in their stead even to this day. 23 As for the Avvim, who dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)

COMMENT 2:16-23

VEX THEM NOT (Deuteronomy 2:19)See under Deuteronomy 2:9.

AND THE AVVIM, THAT DWELT IN VILLAGES AS FAR AS GAZA, THE CAPHTORIM, THAT CAME FORTH OUT OF CAPHTOR, DESTROYED THEM, AND DWELT IN THEIR STEAD (Deuteronomy 2:23)Concluding the explanatory historical note that began with Deuteronomy 2:20 and that is similar to Deuteronomy 2:10-12. The historian is explaining how various original inhabitants were dispossessed by other peoplesor how it happened that certain older tribes were still in evidence as the children of Israel advanced through the east-side countries. The Edomites had taken over the Horites, the Moabites and Ammonites, children of Lot, from the Rephaimknown locally as the Emim or Zamzummim, respectively; and the Caphtorim from the Avvim.

The Awim were the early inhabitants of the southwestern extremity of Canaan afterward occupied by the Philistines (John 13:3-4). Hurlbut states: South of the Canaanites, on the Maritime Plain, were the Philistines. -Emigrants-’ is the meaning of the word, supporting the view that they came from Caphtor, or Crete, which was the capital of an empire embracing the isles and surroundings of the Aegean Sea prior to 2000 B.C. They were related to the Egyptians, and hence were of Hamitic stock [See Genesis 10:13-14; 1 Chronicles 1:11-12]. They came to the land before the time of Abraham, drove out and subdued the earlier Avim (Deuteronomy 2:23), or Avites, and had frequent dealings with Abraham and Isaac.[20] See also Jeremiah 47:4, Amos 9:7.

[20] Bible Atlas, p. 23.

Deuteronomy 2:24-37

LESSON THREE Deuteronomy 2:24 to Deuteronomy 3:29

7. FIRST SUCCESSFUL CONQUESTS (Deuteronomy 2:24 to Deuteronomy 3:11)

a. OVER SIHON KING OF HESHBON (Deuteronomy 2:24-37)

24 Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the valley of the Arnon: behold, I have given into thy hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land; begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle. 25 This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the peoples that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee. 26 And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying, 27 Let me pass through thy land: I will go along by the highway, I will turn neither unto the right hand nor to the left. 28 Thou shalt sell me food for money, that I may eat: and give me water for money, that I may drink: only let me pass through on my feet; 29 as the children of Esau that dwell in Seir, and the Moabites that dwell in Ar, did unto me; until I shall pass over the Jordan into the land which Jehovah our God giveth us. 30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him; for Jehovah thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as at this day. 31 And Jehovah said unto me, Behold, I have begun to deliver up Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land. 32 Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, unto battle at Jahaz. 33 And Jehovah our God delivered him up before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people. 34 And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed every inhabited city, with the women and the little ones; we left none remaining: 35 only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, with the spoil of the cities which we had taken. 36 From Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and from the city that is in the valley, even unto Gilead, there was not a city too high for us; Jehovah our God delivered up all before us: 37 only to the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not near; all the side of the river Jabbok, and the cities of the hill-country, and wheresoever Jehovah our God forbade us.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 2:24-37

Are we to conclude from the record here that God is in control of the thoughts and decisions of evil men?

What specific actions of the Israelites cast fear into the hearts of their enemies?

Why send messenger to Shihon if Moses already knew he would not harken unto him?

In what sense was Shihon responsible for the hardening of his heart? In what sense was God responsible?

When Shihon was defeated, how much of the territory on the east of the Jordan was conquered?

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 2:24-37

24 Rise up, take your journey, and pass over the valley of the Arnon; behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land; begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.

25 This day will I begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the peoples that are under the whole heavens, who shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you. 26 So I sent messengers from the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying, 27 Let me pass through your land; I will go only by the road, turning aside neither to the right nor to the left. 28 You shall sell me food to eat, and sell me water to drink; only let me walk through, 29 As the sons of Esau who dwell in Seir and the Moabites who dwell in Ar did for me, until I go over the Jordan into the land which the Lord our God gives us. 30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him; for the Lord your God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that He might give him into your hand, as at this day. 31 And the Lord said to me [Moses], Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land over to you; begin to take possession, that you may succeed him and occupy his land. 32 Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz. 33 And the Lord our God gave him over to us; and we defeated him and his sons and all his people. 34 At the same time we took all his cities, and utterly destroyed every city, men, women, and children; we left none to remain. 35 Only the cattle we took as booty for ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we had captured. 36 From Aroer, which is on the edge of the Arnon valley, and from the city that is in the valley, as far as Gilead, there was no city too high and strong for us; the Lord our God delivered all to us. 37 Only you did not go near the land of the Ammonites, that is, to any bank of the river Jabbok and the cities of the hill country, and wherever the Lord our God had forbidden us.

COMMENT 2:24-37

PASS OVER THE VALLEY OF THE ARNON (Deuteronomy 2:24)proceeding now up the east side of the Dead Sea. If we have located Ar (Deuteronomy 2:18)[21] correctly on the edge of the Arnon, the command to cross the river and the order to pass by the Ammonites (Deuteronomy 2:19) are to be considered as one and the sameor at least issued at the same time.

[21] Some locate Ar on the southern bank of the Arnon riverothers as far as twenty-five miles south of it. We do know that it was on the northeastern border of Moab, separating it from Ammon (Deuteronomy 2:18-19).

SIHON THE AMORITE, KING OF HESHBON (Deuteronomy 2:24)The Amorites were spread out over a wide area of Canaan (See Deuteronomy 1:44 cf. Genesis 14:13; Genesis 15:16; Genesis 15:21; Genesis 48:22, etc.) They generally dwelt in the hill country (Numbers 13:29, Joshua 10:5). Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites Israel defeated, ruled an extensive area from the Arnon river to mount Herman (Deuteronomy 3:8). Israel was hearing the words of this very discourse on the property formerly ruled by Sihon (Deuteronomy 4:44-49). His land extended from the Arnon to the Jabbok rivers, but his attempt to oppose Israel’s passage through his kingdom ended in complete defeat. See Numbers 21:21-31.

FOR JEHOVAH THY GOD HARDENED HIS SPIRIT, AND MADE HIS HEART OBSTINATE, THAT HE MIGHT DELIVER HIM INTO THY HAND (Deuteronomy 2:30)an incident that reminds us of the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. We do not have a case here or in Exodus of God taking a good man and causing him to be lost. Rather, we have a case in both instances of God using an already godless and sinful king and manipulating him to his glory and the advantage of his people. The following comment by James R. McMorrow applies equally well to Pharaoh or Og. The Bible plainly states that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart: -The Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart-’ (Exodus 10:1); -But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go-’ (Exodus 10:20). Also read Exodus 10:27; Exodus 11:10.

Did God harden Pharaoh’s heart, and, thus, -cause him to be lost-’. ? No, not at all. Pharaoh had already killed thousands of innocent babies. He had already opposed the people of God year in and year out. Pharaoh was already a sinner of the deepest dye. No person or power could do anything to this man to cause him to be lost, for he was already in that condition. God knew what kind of man Pharaoh was and that this wicked old king would never come to repentance. God’s decision was: -I am going to make him stubborn to accomplish several things.-’ God, in this act, showed Israel that he was greater than the oppressor. Again, God used Pharaoh as an example to show what would happen to those who would not obey. It is plain to see that God was honored by hardening Pharaoh’s heart and bringing about his destruction. If God could not get honor in the ruler’s life by repentance, He will get honor by destruction of his body.[22]

[22] From the Voice of Evangelism, March 3, 1951

We believe when God hardened the spirit of Sihon, and made his heart obstinate his purposes were similar to those he had when he hardened Pharaoh’s heart. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth, So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth. Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? (Romans 9:17-18; Romans 9:21). It is significant to note how God thus showed his power over a wicked king, both as Israel was getting out of his land of bondage, and as he was getting into his land of promise.

This was their first armed battle, and so important both to the encouragement of a people so very unused to war as they were, and for the discouragement of the neighboring tribes round about (Note Deuteronomy 2:25). By the time the spies were sent to Jericho, Rahab could very truly say, I know that Jehovah hath given you the land, and that the fear of you is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you (Joshua 2:9).

AND I SENT MESSENGERS OUT OF THE WILDERNESS OF KEDEMOTH (Deuteronomy 2:26)a town on the eastern border of Moab, and the pasture grounds around it were called the wilderness (midbar) Kedemoth Josiah Porter.

THOU SHALT SELL ME FOOD. WATER. AS THE CHILDREN OF ESAU THAT DWELL IN SEIR, AND THE MOABITES THAT DWELL IN AR, DID UNTO ME (Deuteronomy 2:28-29)We have seen the great change in the attitude of the Edomites (Deuteronomy 2:6) from the first refusal (Numbers 20:21). The Moabites are here said to have sold Israel food and water, but it appears from Deuteronomy 23:3-6 that it was not a willing service, and that nation, along with Ammon, was severely cursed for their lack of hospitality. Later, they showed outright antagonism toward Israel. See the account in Numbers 31:10-20, and the evil schemes of Balaam and Balak in Numbers 22-25.

JAHAZ (Deuteronomy 2:32)Numbers 21:23 tells us Sihon went out against Israel into the wilderness, and came to Jahaz; and he fought against Israelthus the city must have been some distance from the more civilized areas. Its location is uncertain, but we know it was north of the Arnon river (Numbers 21:13).

ONLY TO THE LAND OF THE CHILDREN OF AMMON THOU CAMEST NOT NEAR; ALL THE SIDE OF THE RIVER JABBOK, AND THE CITIES OF THE HILL COUNTRY, AND WHERESOEVER JEHOVAH OUR GOD FORBADE US (Deuteronomy 2:37)Better, But you did not encroach upon the land of the Ammonites, all along the wadi Jabbok and the towns of the hill country, just as the Lord our God had commandedThe Torah, God gave them their commission; and those only were to be cut off, the cup of whose iniquity was full. Though the Moabites and Ammonites were thus spread, they requited good with evil, for they [later] fought against the Israelites, and cast them out of their possessions, Judges 11:4-5; 2 Chronicles 20:1, & c., and committed the most shocking cruelties; see Amos 1:13. Hence God enacted a law, that none of these people should enter into the congregation of the Lord even to their tenth generation: see chapter Deuteronomy 23:3-6Clarke. But see also our notes under the passage. The curse itself was specifically for their mistreatment of Israel as they came out of the wilderness.