Deuteronomy · Chapter 2

V. 1. Mount Seir-The mountainous country of Seir or Edom. Many days-Even for thirty eight years.

Verse 1. We compassed mount Seir — The mountainous part of Edom, or Idumea. Many days — Even for thirty-eight years, which time they spent in tedious marches to and fro through that desert country, reaching from Kadesh to the Red sea, and in various encampments, till that race of murmurers was quite extinct, and then orders were given them to bend their course again toward Canaan, verse 3.

FROM KADESH TO THE TERRITORY OF THE AMORITES, 1-23.

1. The way of the Red Sea — The way to the Red Sea — that is, the AElanitic Gulf, now called the Gulf of Akabah. As the Lord spake — Comp. Numbers 14:25. Compassed Mount Seir many days — This refers to the long years of wandering, of which, in the narrative, we have so few details.

FROM KADESH TO THE TERRITORY OF THE AMORITES, 1-23.

1. The way of the Red Sea — The way to the Red Sea — that is, the AElanitic Gulf, now called the Gulf of Akabah. As the Lord spake — Comp. Numbers 14:25. Compassed Mount Seir many days — This refers to the long years of wandering, of which, in the narrative, we have so few details.

V. 3. Northward-Towards the land of the Amorites and Canaanites.

Verse 3. Turn you northward.] From Mount Seir, in order to get to Canaan. This was not the way they went before, viz., by Kadesh-barnea, but they were to proceed between Edom on the one hand, and Moab and Ammon on the other, so as to enter into Canaan through the land of the Amorites.

3. Turn you northward — When they should reach the southern limit of the Arabah they were to go northward toward the Arnon. They would thus go round the southern extremity of Mount Seir, and then advance northward on the eastern side. This route was to be taken on account of the refusal of the Edomites to allow them to pass through their territory.

4. The coast of… the children of Esau — In Numbers 20:14, we read that Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom asking permission to pass through his country. The request was refused, and the Edomites made hostile preparations to resist the march of the Israelites. At this time the march is along the eastern frontier of Edom, where the land is comparatively open and defenceless. They shall be afraid of you — The same people who had repelled the Israelites when on their western frontier are alarmed at their march along their eastern border.

Verse 5. Meddle not with them] That is, the Edomites. See on Numbers 20:14-21.

5. I have given Mount Seir unto Esau — See Genesis 33:16; 36:8; Joshua 24:4. The Edomites were subsequently conquered by David, 2 Samuel 8:14, but they were not deprived of their land. They afterward revolted and regained their independence. 2 Kings 8:20.

V. 6. Buy meat-For though the manna did yet rain upon them, they were not forbidden to buy other meats when they had opportunity, but only were forbidden greedily to hunger after them when they could not obtain them. Buy water-For water in those parts was scarce, and therefore private persons did severally dig pits for their particular use.

Verse 6. Buy meat of them for money — For though the manna did yet rain upon them, they were not forbidden to buy other meats when they had opportunity, but only were forbidden greedily to hunger after them when they could not obtain them. Buy water — For water in those parts was scarce, and therefore private persons did severally dig pits for their particular use.

6. Buy water — The Hebrew word used implies purchasing permission to dig for water.

V. 7. The Lord hath blessed thee-By God’s blessing thou art able to buy thy conveniences, and therefore thy theft and rapine will be inexcusable, because without any pretence of necessity. He knoweth-Heb. He hath known, that is, observed, or regarded with care and kindness, which that word often notes. Which experience of God’s singular goodness to thee, should make thee rely on him still, and not use any unjust practice to procure what thou wantest or desirest.

Verse 7. The Lord-hath blessed thee, &c.] God had given them much property, and therefore they had no need of plunder; they had gold and silver to buy the provender they needed, and therefore God would not permit them to take any thing by violence.

Verse 7. The Lord hath blessed thee — By God’s blessing thou art able to buy thy conveniences, and therefore thy theft and rapine will be inexcusable, because without any pretence of necessity. He knoweth — Hebrew, He hath known; that is, observed, or regarded with care and kindness, which that word often denotes. Which experience of God’s singular goodness to thee should make thee rely on him still, and not use any unjust practice to procure what thou wantest or desirest.

FROM KADESH TO THE TERRITORY OF THE AMORITES, 1-23.

1. The way of the Red Sea — The way to the Red Sea — that is, the AElanitic Gulf, now called the Gulf of Akabah. As the Lord spake — Comp. Numbers 14:25. Compassed Mount Seir many days — This refers to the long years of wandering, of which, in the narrative, we have so few details.

V. 8. We turned-From our direct road which lay through Edom.

Verses 8, 9. We turned — From our direct road, which lay through Edom. Ar — The chief city of the Moabites, 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 honoured.

8. The way of the plain — The Arabah. From Elath and Elzion-gaber — See Numbers 33:35. Both places are mentioned in 1 Kings 9:26. They were on the AElanitic Gulf. The wilderness of Moab — Comp. Judges 11:16-18.

V. 9. Ar-The chief city of the Moabites, 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.

Verses 8, 9. We turned — From our direct road, which lay through Edom. Ar — The chief city of the Moabites, 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 honoured.

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.

V. 10. The Emims-Men terrible for stature and strength, as their very name imparts, whose expulsion by the Moabites is here noted as a great encouragement to the Israelites, for whose sake he would much more drive out the wicked and accursed Canaanites.

Verse 10. The Emims dwelt therein] Calmet supposes that these people were destroyed in the war made against them by Chedorlaomer and his allies, Genesis 14:5. Lot possessed their country after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrha. They are generally esteemed as giants; probably they were a hardy, fierce, and terrible people, who lived, like the wandering Arabs, on the plunder of others. This was sufficient to gain them the appellation of giants, or men of prodigious stature. See next verse.

Verses 10-12. The Emims — Men terrible for stature and strength, as their very name imports, whose expulsion by the Moabites is here noted as a great encouragement to the Israelites, for whose sake he would much more drive out the wicked and accursed Canaanites. Which the Lord gave — The past tense is here put for the future, will give, after the manner of the prophets.

Verse 10. The Emims; that is, men of terrific aspect with regard to stature, armour, and appearance.

10-12. These verses are parenthetical. Verse 9 connects with verse 13. Emim — Hebrew, the terrible ones. See Genesis 14:5. Which also were accounted giants — Hebrew, Rephaim. For the Rephaim see Genesis 14:5. They seem to have been a people of large stature. They included the Emim, Anakim, and Zummim. Horim — Or Horites; dwellers in caves. See Genesis 14:6. As Israel did unto the land of his possession — Keil renders this passage, As Israel has done to the land of his possession, and makes it refer to the land east of the Jordan — Gilead and Bashan, which was already conquered and given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh. Others view the passage from 10 to 12 as parenthetical, and an explanatory addition by a later hand. “They contain exactly such matter as a modern editor might have given in explanatory footnotes, but which a Jewish reviser, if duly authorized, would feel warranted in writing along with his text.” — Speaker’s Commentary. It is, on the whole, most probable that these verses are a parenthetical statement by Moses. There is every reason to believe that he was familiar with the history of the tribes here mentioned.

Verse 11. Which also were accounted giants] This is not a fortunate version. The word is not giants, but רפאים Rephaim, the name of a people. It appears that the Emim, 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. (See on the preceding verse.) It must be granted, however, that there were several men of this race of extraordinary stature. And hence all gigantic men have been called Rephaim. (See on Genesis 6:4, and Genesis 14:5.) But we well know that fear and public report have often added whole cubits to men’s height. It was under this influence that the spies acted, when they brought the disheartening report mentioned Numbers 13:33.

Verses 10-12. The Emims — Men terrible for stature and strength, as their very name imports, whose expulsion by the Moabites is here noted as a great encouragement to the Israelites, for whose sake he would much more drive out the wicked and accursed Canaanites. Which the Lord gave — The past tense is here put for the future, will give, after the manner of the prophets.

10-12. These verses are parenthetical. Verse 9 connects with verse 13. Emim — Hebrew, the terrible ones. See Genesis 14:5. Which also were accounted giants — Hebrew, Rephaim. For the Rephaim see Genesis 14:5. They seem to have been a people of large stature. They included the Emim, Anakim, and Zummim. Horim — Or Horites; dwellers in caves. See Genesis 14:6. As Israel did unto the land of his possession — Keil renders this passage, As Israel has done to the land of his possession, and makes it refer to the land east of the Jordan — Gilead and Bashan, which was already conquered and given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh. Others view the passage from 10 to 12 as parenthetical, and an explanatory addition by a later hand. “They contain exactly such matter as a modern editor might have given in explanatory footnotes, but which a Jewish reviser, if duly authorized, would feel warranted in writing along with his text.” — Speaker’s Commentary. It is, on the whole, most probable that these verses are a parenthetical statement by Moses. There is every reason to believe that he was familiar with the history of the tribes here mentioned.

V. 12. Which the Lord gave-The past tense is here put for the future, will give after the manner of the prophets.

Verse 12. The Horims also dwelt in Seir] The whole of this verse was probably added by Joshua or Ezra.

Verses 10-12. The Emims — Men terrible for stature and strength, as their very name imports, whose expulsion by the Moabites is here noted as a great encouragement to the Israelites, for whose sake he would much more drive out the wicked and accursed Canaanites. Which the Lord gave — The past tense is here put for the future, will give, after the manner of the prophets.

Ver. 12. The Horims, Horites, Genesis 14:6, which Esau had destroyed. The inference was encouraging to the Hebrews, that if these terrific men had been conquered by others, the Canaanites might be conquered also.

10-12. These verses are parenthetical. Verse 9 connects with verse 13. Emim — Hebrew, the terrible ones. See Genesis 14:5. Which also were accounted giants — Hebrew, Rephaim. For the Rephaim see Genesis 14:5. They seem to have been a people of large stature. They included the Emim, Anakim, and Zummim. Horim — Or Horites; dwellers in caves. See Genesis 14:6. As Israel did unto the land of his possession — Keil renders this passage, As Israel has done to the land of his possession, and makes it refer to the land east of the Jordan — Gilead and Bashan, which was already conquered and given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh. Others view the passage from 10 to 12 as parenthetical, and an explanatory addition by a later hand. “They contain exactly such matter as a modern editor might have given in explanatory footnotes, but which a Jewish reviser, if duly authorized, would feel warranted in writing along with his text.” — Speaker’s Commentary. It is, on the whole, most probable that these verses are a parenthetical statement by Moses. There is every reason to believe that he was familiar with the history of the tribes here mentioned.

13. Now rise up, said I — The words said I are not found in the Hebrew, and should be omitted. The connexion is with the ninth verse. It is Jehovah who said, Rise up, and get you over the brook Zered. This river was the southern boundary of Moab, and separated it from Mount Seir, or the territory of Edom. See Numbers 21:12. Robinson (Biblical Researches) thinks that Zered is probably the Wady el-Ahsy, which forms a natural division between the country on the north and on the south. Others think Zered is the Wady Kerek.

14. Zered — According to Numbers 21:12, the Israelites had encamped in the valley of Zered, (or, as there spelled, Zared). Thirty and eight years — These were years of wandering since they first left Kadesh, on the south of the Promised Land. All the men of war who left Egypt, except Caleb and Joshua, have passed away. The sentence pronounced upon them on account of their rebellion has been executed.

15. The hand of the Lord was against them, to destroy them — Here is a manifest allusion to the judgments of Jehovah against Korah and his company, (Numbers 16:35;) against those who perished by the plague, (Numbers 16:49;) against those who were bitten by serpents, (Numbers 21:6;) and against those who indulged in the impure worship of Baal-peor, (Numbers 25:9.)

Verses 16, 17. When all the men of war were consumed — Israel is not called to march against and attack the Canaanites till the men most fit for war, and who probably had learned the art of it in Egypt, and had been used to hardship, were all wasted and dead from among the people, and only a host of new raised men, trained up in a wilderness, were left, in whom, as being possessed of little knowledge, experience, or natural fortitude, no great dependance could be placed. Thus it became more fully manifest that the excellency of the power which subdued the warlike Canaanites, was of God and not of man. On the same principle, and with the same design, long after this, were the following words spoken by the Lord to Gideon: The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. And thus, to subdue the enemies of God’s church, and bring sinners to the obedience of the faith, he hath chosen the weak things of the world, and things that are despised, and things that are not, to bring to naught the things that are, that no flesh may glory in his presence.

16-19. Men of war were consumed — The generation that rebelled had died in their wandering. The people are now to cross over the boundary of Moab and advance into the neighbourhood of the Ammonites. In verses

Verses 16, 17. When all the men of war were consumed — Israel is not called to march against and attack the Canaanites till the men most fit for war, and who probably had learned the art of it in Egypt, and had been used to hardship, were all wasted and dead from among the people, and only a host of new raised men, trained up in a wilderness, were left, in whom, as being possessed of little knowledge, experience, or natural fortitude, no great dependance could be placed. Thus it became more fully manifest that the excellency of the power which subdued the warlike Canaanites, was of God and not of man. On the same principle, and with the same design, long after this, were the following words spoken by the Lord to Gideon: The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. And thus, to subdue the enemies of God’s church, and bring sinners to the obedience of the faith, he hath chosen the weak things of the world, and things that are despised, and things that are not, to bring to naught the things that are, that no flesh may glory in his presence.

16-19. Men of war were consumed — The generation that rebelled had died in their wandering. The people are now to cross over the boundary of Moab and advance into the neighbourhood of the Ammonites. In verses

16-19. Men of war were consumed — The generation that rebelled had died in their wandering. The people are now to cross over the boundary of Moab and advance into the neighbourhood of the Ammonites. In verses

16-19. Men of war were consumed — The generation that rebelled had died in their wandering. The people are now to cross over the boundary of Moab and advance into the neighbourhood of the Ammonites. In verses

Verse 20. That also was accounted a land of giants] That was accounted the land or territory of the Rephaim.

Zamzummims] Supposed to be the same as the Zuzim, Genesis 14:5. Of these ancient people we know very little; they were probably inconsiderable tribes or clans, “pursuing and pursued, each other’s prey,” till at length a stronger totally destroyed or subdued them, and their name became either extinct or absorbed in that of their conquerors. From the 10th to the 12th, and from the 20th to the 23d verse inclusive, we have certain historical remarks introduced which do not seem to have been made by Moses, but rather by Joshua or Ezra. By the introduction of these verses the thread of the narrative suffers considerable interruption. Dr. Kennicott considers both these passages to be interpolations. That they could not have made a part of the speech of Moses originally, needs little proof.

Ver. 20. Zamzummims; that is, strong and mighty ones, flagitiously wicked. Heathen testimonies agree with Moses, as to the crimes of the ancient giants. We have three other tribes of giants named by Moses, the Raphaim, the Hevim, and the Anakim.

20-23 some particulars concerning the ancient inhabitants of these regions are introduced.

20. Zamzummim — The name is supposed to be derived from a root meaning to hum: the noisy people; probably the same as the Zuzim of Genesis 14:5.

20-23 some particulars concerning the ancient inhabitants of these regions are introduced.

20. Zamzummim — The name is supposed to be derived from a root meaning to hum: the noisy people; probably the same as the Zuzim of Genesis 14:5.

20-23 some particulars concerning the ancient inhabitants of these regions are introduced.

20. Zamzummim — The name is supposed to be derived from a root meaning to hum: the noisy people; probably the same as the Zuzim of Genesis 14:5.

V. 23. The Caphtorim-A people a-kin to the Philistines, Genesis 10:14, and confederate with them in this enterprize, and so dwelling together, and by degrees uniting together by marriages, they became one people. Caphtor-Which is by the learned thought to be Cappadocia: whither these people might make an expedition out of Egypt, either because of the report of the great riches of part of that country which drew others thither from places equally remote, or for some other reason now unknown.

Verse 23. And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim — This is another instance of God’s disposal of countries unto what people he pleases. The Avims are mentioned Joshua 13:3, as the ancient inhabitants of Palestine. The Caphtorims — A people akin to, or a branch of, the Philistines, so called, probably, from their founder, who settled in Caphtor, a country in or about Egypt, see Genesis 10:14. By producing these instances of God’s displacing one people, and settling another in their stead, Moses designed to strengthen the faith of the Israelites in the divine promise of giving them the victory over all their enemies, and settling them in the land of Canaan.

Ver. 23. Caphtor, a city south of Philistia.

23. The Avim are identified with the Avites of Joshua 13:3. Azzah is the Hebrew form of Gaza, one of the chief cities of the Philistines. Caphtorim — Caphtor (Genesis 10:14) has been identified with the Egyptian name of the northern delta, from which the Phoenicians emigrated into Asia. These four verses may have been introduced by a later editor.

CONQUEST OF THE AMORITES, 24-37.

The Israelites were not to make war upon the Edomites, nor Moabites, nor Ammonites, but they are told that Jehovah has given Sihon the Amorite and his land to them.

V. 25. Under heaven-The following words rest rain the sentence to those nations that heard of them.

Verse 25. Upon the nations that are under the whole heaven — That is, upon as many as shall hear of these conquests, for to such the following words restrain the sentence; especially upon the Canaanites, whose courage would droop at the news of such an absolute victory gained so near them, Joshua 2:10, 11.

Verse 26. I sent messengers unto Sihon — To show the prince of the Amorites that we were not aggressors, and offered no violence, and that, if he refused to grant us a passage through his land, his destruction would be of himself. Kedemoth was a city of that tract which fell to the lot of the Reubenites.

26. Kedemoth — After the conquest of the country this city was given to the tribe of Reuben. Joshua 13:18. It became a Levitical place of residence. See Joshua 21:37; 1 Chronicles 6:64.

27. I will go along by the high way — Hebrew, by the way. The meaning is, that the Israelites would pass directly through the land, not seeking to dispossess the inhabitants nor to despoil them. They would pay for the food that was furnished them, and pay for the privilege of digging wells for water.

V. 28. On my feet-Or, with my company who are on foot: which is added significantly, because if their army had consisted as much of horsemen as many other armies did, their passage through his land might have been more mischievous and dangerous.

Verse 28. On my feet — Or, with my company who are on foot, which is added significantly, because, if their army had consisted as much of horsemen as many other armies did, their passage through this land might have been more mischievous and dangerous.

V. 29. As the children of Esau did-They did permit them to pass quietly by the borders, though not through the heart of their land, and in their passage the people sold them meat and drink, being it seems more kind to them than their king would have had them; and therefore they here ascribe this favour not to the king, though they are now treating with a king, but to the people, the children of Esau.

Verse 29. As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir] See Clarke’s note on “Numbers 20:21”.

Verses 29, 30. As the children of Esau did — They did permit them to pass quietly by the borders, though not through the heart of their land, and in their passage the people sold them meat and drink, being, it seems, more kind to them than their king would have had them; and therefore they here ascribe this favour not to the king, though they are now treating with a king, but to the people, the children of Esau. Hardened his spirit — That is, suffered it to be hardened.

V. 30. Hardened his spirit-That is, suffered it to be hardened.

Verse 30. The Lord-hardened his spirit] See Clarke’s notes on “Exodus 4:21”, and “Exodus 9:15”, &c.

Verses 29, 30. As the children of Esau did — They did permit them to pass quietly by the borders, though not through the heart of their land, and in their passage the people sold them meat and drink, being, it seems, more kind to them than their king would have had them; and therefore they here ascribe this favour not to the king, though they are now treating with a king, but to the people, the children of Esau. Hardened his spirit — That is, suffered it to be hardened.

30. As appeareth this day — That is, as the result has shown.

32. Jahaz — In Joshua 13:18, Jahaza is in the allotment of Reuben. In 1 Chronicles 6:78, it is called Jahzah.

V. 34. Utterly destroyed-By God’s command, these being a part of those people who were devoted by the Lord of life and death, to utter destruction for their abominable wickedness.

Verse 34. Utterly destroyed — By God’s command, these being a part of those people who were devoted by the Lord of life and death to utter destruction for their abominable wickedness.

34. Utterly destroyed the men,… women,… little ones — Every inhabited city and its inhabitants. In these wars cities were often thus devoted. When captured the walls were razed to the foundation and the inhabitants put to death.

Verse 36. From Aroer-by the brink of the river of Arnon] See Clarke on “Numbers 21:13”, &c.

36. From Aroer — This city was on the north bank of the Arnon, and was given to the tribe of Reuben. Joshua 13. On the Moabite Stone Mesha states: “I built Aroer and I made the road across the Arnon.” Burckhardt found ruins with the name Ara’ar on the edge of the north bank of the Arnon. The city that is by the river — Rather, the city which is in the valley. This refers to Ar or Areopolis. See Numbers 21:15.

V. 37. Of Jabbok-That is, beyond Jabbok: for that was the border of the Ammomites.

Verse 37. Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not] 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 spared, they requited good with evil, for they 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 Deuteronomy 23:3-6.

DEUTERONOMY

Verse 37. Of Jabbok — That is, beyond Jabbok; for that was the border of the Ammonites.