Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 2

Verse 1

turned = faced about. Compare Deuteronomy 1:7 .

as = according as.

the LORD spake. Jehovah spake at nine "sundry times" and in three "divers manners":

1. To me (Moses), Deuteronomy 2:1 , Deuteronomy 2:2 , Deuteronomy 2:17 ; Deuteronomy 9:13 ; Deuteronomy 32:48 .

2. To you, Deuteronomy 4:12 , Deuteronomy 4:15 ; Deuteronomy 10:4 .

3. To all your assembly, Deuteronomy 5:22 .

spake = said, as in Deuteronomy 1:42 . Compare Numbers 21:4 .

many days. These are distinguished from those mentioned in Deuteronomy 1:46 . Those were resting in disobedience, these were journeying in obedience.

Verse 4

pass through = cross the border. Numbers 20:4 , Numbers 20:14-17 . Judges 11:17 .

children = sons.

Verse 5

because, &c . Compare Genesis 32:3 ; Genesis 33:6-8 ; Genesis 36:8 . Joshua 24:4 .

a possession. Hebrew. yarash (because given). Also in verses: Deuteronomy 2:9 , Deuteronomy 2:12 , Deuteronomy 2:19 , Deuteronomy 2:20 , &c.; in Deut, not 'ahaz (because seized), as in other books; though 'ahaz is used in Ch. Deuteronomy 32:49 .

Verse 6

meat. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche ( App-6 ) for all kinds of food.

Verse 7

the LORD thy God. Jehovah thy Elohim = the triune God.

hand. Some codices, with some early printed editions, and Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "hands".

forty years. Compare Nehemiah 9:21 .

nothing. Hebrew "not a word": i.e. of what Jehovah had promised. Compare Deuteronomy 8:2-4 .

Verse 8

passed by. Compare Numbers 20:21 ; Numbers 21:11-13 .

from Elath, &c. Gulf of Akabah. Compare Numbers 33:35 , Numbers 33:36 , and 1 Kings 9:26 .

wilderness of Moab. See the route, Judges 11:16-18 .

Verse 9

the LORD [Hebrew. Jehovah. said unto me (or Moses). Occurs thirteen times in Deut.: Deuteronomy 2:9 , Deuteronomy 2:31 ; Deuteronomy 3:2 , Deuteronomy 3:26 ; Deuteronomy 4:10 ; Deuteronomy 5:28 ; Deuteronomy 9:12 ; Deuteronomy 10:1 , Deuteronomy 10:11 ; Deuteronomy 18:17 ; Deuteronomy 31:2 , Deuteronomy 31:14 , Deuteronomy 31:16 ; Deuteronomy 34:4 .

Distress not, &c. God judged both (2 Chronicles 20:1-25 .Amos 1:13-15; Amos 1:13-15 ).

Verse 10

Emims = terrible ones (Genesis 14:5 ). A race of the Nephilim. See App-25 .

Anakims. See on Deuteronomy 1:28 , and App-25 .

Verse 11

giants. Hebrew. Rephaim, another name for the Nephilim, from one Rapha. See App-25 . Connected with healing, and with Egypt (Genesis 50:2 ). See App-23 .

Verse 12

Horims. Another race or name of the Nephilim See App-25 . Compare Genesis 14:6 . See App-25 .

destroyed = exterminated. Hebrew. shamad.

stead = room. These are the Canaanites with whom Satan had preoccupied the land to thwart God's purpose in Abraham. Compare Genesis 12:6 ; Genesis 13:7 , and see App-25 . All these had to be destroyed, as the Nephilim were destroyed by the Flood. Compare Genesis 6:4 , which tells of a later irruption. See Genesis 14:5 .

possession . . . gave. See Ch. Deuteronomy 3:20 , and note on Deuteronomy 2:5 .

Verse 13

Now. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint, read "Now therefore".

brook Zered , which flows into the Arnon, the frontier between Moab and Ammon. Numbers 21:13 .

Verse 14

thirty and eight years. Compare the antitype of Israel in the flesh, John 5:6 .

Verse 15

destroy = shake off. Hebrew. hamam.

Verse 19

Ammon. See Genesis 19:36-38 , and compare Judges 11:15 .

Verse 20

Zamzummims. A name given them by the Ammonites = noisy ones. See verses: Deuteronomy 2:10-12 , and App-25 .

Verse 21

Anakims. See note on Deuteronomy 1:28 , and App-25 .

Verse 22

destroyed = exterminated. Hebrew. shamad.

Verse 23

Avims. Another name for these Nephilim. Joshua 13:3 . ( App-25 .)

Additional notes on next page. Azzah = Gaza. Gen 10:19 . 1 Samuel 6:17 . Compare 1 Kings 4:24 .Jeremiah 25:20 . Acts 8:26 .

Caphtorims. Another name, for those that came out of Caphtor. Genesis 10:14 .Amos 9:7 . Jeremiah 47:4 . Some-times identified with Crete, or the Delta.

Verse 24

take your journey. Compare Numbers 21:13 .

Verse 25

put the dread. Fulfilment of Ex. Deuteronomy 15:14 , Deuteronomy 15:15 .

Verse 26

sent messengers. Numbers 21:21 , Numbers 21:22 .Judges 11:19 .

Kedemoth. Compare Numbers 21:21-24 . Afterward a Levitical city (Joshua 13:18 ; Jos 21:37 . 1 Chronicles 6:64 , 1 Chronicles 6:79 ).

Verse 28

shalt sell. Edom refused to let Israel pass through, but did sell, as here stated. Compare Numbers 20:17-21 . Moab, too, "sold", but did not meet as a friend (Deuteronomy 23:4 , where karam means to offer unasked). Compare Isaiah 21:17 .

Verse 29

As = According as.

Verse 30

Sihon . . . would not. Compare Numbers 21:23 .Judges 11:20 .

God = Elohim, acting as the Creator with a creature.

hardened. Hebrew. kashah . See note on Exodus 4:21 .

spirit = Hebrew. ruach . See App-9 .

Verse 31

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 32

came out. Sihon was the aggressor. Numbers 21:2 , Numbers 21:3 .Judges 11:20 .

Verse 33

sons. So read, but written in Hebrew text "son" (singular)

Verse 34

destroyed = devoted to destruction. Hebrew. haram . Compare Deuteronomy 3:6 ; Deuteronomy 7:2 ; Deuteronomy 20:17 .

men. Hebrew. methim . See App-14 .

Verse 35

a prey. For the law governing this see Numbers 31:0 .

Verse 36

Aroer. Numbers 32:34 . The name is on the Moabite Stone. See App-54 .

the city: i.e. Ar of Moab. Numbers 21:15 .

delivered. Compare Judges 11:21 , Judges 11:22 , Judges 11:26 . "For His mercy endureth for ever", Psalms 136:18-22 .