Bible Commentaries

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.

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

children = sons.

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.

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

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.

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.

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).

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

destroy = shake off. Hebrew. hamam.

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

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

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

destroyed = exterminated. Hebrew. shamad.

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

Additional notes on next page. Azzah = Gaza. Genesis 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.

take your journey. Compare Numbers 21:13.

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

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

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

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.

As = According as.

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.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

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

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

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

men. Hebrew. methim. See App-14.

a prey. For the law governing this see Num 31.

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.