Bible Commentaries

From Kadesh to Jordan (2:1-3:29)

God told the Israelites that if they went through the land of Edom, they were not to seize any territory. This was partly because Edom was Israel's brother nation (being descended from Esau), and partly because the Edomites' territory, formerly possessed by the Horites, had been given them by God (2:1-7). Similar restrictions applied to Israel's relations with the nations of Moab and Ammon, both of which were also related to Israel (being descended from Lot). Their territories, formerly the possession of the Rephaim, had also been given them by God (8-23). In like manner the land of the Amorites would be given Israel by God (24-25).

Although the kings of Edom and Moab refused to sell food or water to the Israelites and denied them passage through their lands (Numbers 20:14-21; Numbers 21:10-20), some of the Edomites and Moabites in outlying regions apparently did sell to them as they detoured around the boundaries. But the Amorite king Sihon not only refused all aid, he brought out his army against Israel (26-32). Israel responded by destroying his army and taking possession of his land (33-37). Moving further north, the Israelites conquered Og, another Amorite king, and took possession of the rich pasture land of Bashan that Og formerly controlled (3:1-11).

All the region east of the Jordan River was now under the control of Israel. It was divided between the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half-Manasseh (12-17), but these tribes had to help the other tribes conquer the region west of Jordan (i.e. Canaan) before they could settle down in their newly won territory (18-22). As the great day drew near when Israel would occupy the land that God had centuries before promised to Abraham, Moses longed to cross Jordan and see it. God refused him permission, but allowed him to view the land from a mountain near Israel's camp (23-29).