Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 2

Verses 1-7

The Children of Israel Pass Through Edom In Deuteronomy 2:1-7 Moses rehearses the story of Israel’s journey through the land of Edom, which is found in Numbers 20:14-21. God gave possessions to the children of Esau and Lot.

Deuteronomy 2:5 Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.

Deuteronomy 2:5 “because I have given mount Seir unto Esau” - Comments - They disposed the Horims (Deuteronomy 2:22) and the Arims and the Caphtorims (Deuteronomy 2:23).

Verses 1-37

The First Speech of Moses Deuteronomy 1:3 to Deuteronomy 4:49 contains the first speech of Moses to the children of Israel in order to prepare them to enter the Promised Land. The purpose of this speech is to exhort Israel to obey the Law that has been delivered to them in order that they prosper in their new land. In this speech Moses gives an historical overview of Israel’s relationship with the Lord since they made a covenant with Him at Mount Sinai. Moses rehearses Israel’s forty-year wilderness journey in order to show them God’s faithfulness in watching over His people.

1. Charge to Depart Mount Sinai & Go Possess the Promised Land Deuteronomy 1:3-8

2. Moses Appoints Judges Over the Children of Israel Deuteronomy 1:9-18

3. Israel’s Failure to Possess the Promised Land at Kadeshbarnea Deuteronomy 1:19-46

4. The Children of Israel Pass Through Edom Deuteronomy 2:1-7

5. The Children of Israel Pass Through Moab Deuteronomy 2:8-12

6. The Children of Israel Journey Forty Years in the Wilderness Deuteronomy 2:13-15

7. The Children of Israel Pass Through the Ammonites Deuteronomy 2:16-23

8. Israel Defeats Sihon King of the Amorites Deuteronomy 2:24-37

9. The Children of Israel Defeat Og King of Bashan Deuteronomy 3:1-7

10. The Lord Gives Israel the Land of the Two Amorite Kings Deuteronomy 3:8-22

11. God Raises Up Joshua to Lead Israel into the Promised Land Deuteronomy 3:23-29

12. Moses Exhorts Israel to Hearken Unto the Law Deuteronomy 4:1-40

13. Moses Appoints Three Cities of Refuge East of Jordan Deuteronomy 4:41-43

14. Conclusion to Moses’ First Speech Deuteronomy 4:44-49

Verses 8-12

The Children of Israel Pass Through Moab In Deuteronomy 2:8-12 Moses rehearses Israel’s journey through Moab.

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.

Deuteronomy 2:9 Comments - Ar is given to the Moabites. They disposed the Emims (Deuteronomy 2:11).

Deuteronomy 2:12 The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which the LORD gave unto them.

Deuteronomy 2:12 Comments - The Edomites were given a successful conquest for their land, a conquest that was similar to the children of Israel's conquest, and similar to the conquest of the Ammonites (Deuteronomy 2:21-22).

Verses 13-15

The Children of Israel Journey Forty Years in the Wilderness In Deuteronomy 2:13-15 Moses rehearses Israel’s forty-year journey in the wilderness.

Deuteronomy 2:13 Now rise up, said I, and get you over the brook Zered. And we went over the brook Zered.

Deuteronomy 2:14 And the space in which we came from Kadeshbarnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them.

Deuteronomy 2:15 For indeed the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from among the host, until they were consumed.

Verses 16-23

The Children of Israel Pass Through the Ammonites - In Deuteronomy 2:16-23 Moses rehearses Israel’s journey through the land of the Ammonites.

Deuteronomy 2:16 So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people,

Deuteronomy 2:17 That the LORD spake unto me, saying,

Deuteronomy 2:18 Thou art to pass over through Ar, the coast of Moab, this day:

Deuteronomy 2:19 And when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession.

Deuteronomy 2:19 “the children of Ammon” - Comments - They disposed the Zamzummims (Deuteronomy 2:20).

Deuteronomy 2:20 (That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims;

Deuteronomy 2:21 A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead:

Deuteronomy 2:22 As he did to the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, when he destroyed the Horims from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day:

Deuteronomy 2:21-22 Comments The Conquest of the Ammonites - The Ammonites were given a successful conquest for their land similar to the children of Israel's conquest, and similar to the conquest of the Edomites (Deuteronomy 2:12).

Deuteronomy 2:23 And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)

Deuteronomy 2:23 “which came forth out of Caphtor” - Comments - Most scholars believe that Caphtor is a reference to Crete, and the Scriptures suggest the Philistines came out of the nation of Caphtor ( ISBE). [21]

[21] W. Ewing, “Caphtor,” in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, ed. James Orr (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., c1915, 1939), in The Sword Project, v. 1.5.11 [CD-ROM] (Temple, AZ: CrossWire Bible Society, 1990-2008).

Genesis 10:13-14, “And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim, and Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim .” (also 1 Chronicles 1:12)

Jeremiah 47:4, “Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor .”

Amos 9:7, “Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor , and the Syrians from Kir?”

Verses 24-37

Israel Defeats Sihon King of the Amorites In Deuteronomy 2:24 Moses rehearses Israel’s defeat of Sihon king of the Amorites.

Deuteronomy 2:24 Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.

Deuteronomy 2:30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.

Deuteronomy 2:30 Comments - The Lord also hardened Pharaoh’s spirit and made his heart obstinate so that He could magnify Himself in the sight of Israel as the true and living God.

Exodus 4:21, “And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.”