I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying, “Let me pass through your land. I will go along by the highway. I will turn neither to the right hand nor to the left. You shall sell me food for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink. Just let me pass through on my feet, as the children of Esau who dwell in Seir, and the Moabites who dwell in Ar, did to me; until I pass over the Jordan into the land which Yahweh our God gives us.” But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him; for Yahweh your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into your hand, as it is today.
Parallel Translations
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I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying,
“Let me pass through your land. I will go along by the highway. I will turn neither to the right hand nor to the left.
You shall sell me food for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink. Just let me pass through on my feet,
as the children of Esau who dwell in Seir, and the Moabites who dwell in Ar, did to me; until I pass over the Jordan into the land which Yahweh our God gives us.”
But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him; for Yahweh your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into your hand, as it is today.
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And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying,
Let me pass through thy land: I will go along by the high way, I will neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left.
Thou shalt sell me meat for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink: only I will pass through on my feet;
(As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir, and the Moabites which dwell in Ar, did unto me;) until I shall pass over Jordan into the land which the LORD our God giveth us.
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.
Show all 3 translations
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And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying:
'Let me pass through thy land; I will go along by the highway, I will neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left.
Thou shalt sell me food for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink; only let me pass through on my feet;
as the children of Esau that dwell in Seir, and the Moabites that dwell in Ar, did unto me; until I shall pass over the Jordan into the land which the LORD our God giveth us.'
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.
Cross-references (30)
- Numbers 21:23 (v30) Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his border, but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the…
- Exodus 4:21 (v30) Yahweh said to Moses, “When you go back into Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your hand, but I…
- Numbers 20:19 (v28) The children of Israel said to him, “We will go up by the highway; and if we drink your water, I and my livestock, then I will give its…
- Exodus 11:10 (v30) Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but Yahweh hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he didn’t let the children of Israel go out…
- Joshua 11:19-20 (v30) There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, except the Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon. They took all in battle.…
Show all 30 cross-references
- Numbers 20:18 (v29) Edom said to him, “You shall not pass through me, lest I come out with the sword against you.”
- Deuteronomy 23:3-4 (v29) An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into Yahweh’s assembly; even to the tenth generation shall no one belonging to them enter into…
- Joshua 13:18 (v26) Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath,
- Judges 11:17-18 (v29) then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Please let me pass through your land;’ but the king of Edom didn’t listen. In the…
- Judges 11:19 (v27) Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said to him, ‘Please let us pass through your land to…
- Judges 11:20 (v30) But Sihon didn’t trust Israel to pass through his border; but Sihon gathered all his people together, and encamped in Jahaz, and fought…
- Isaiah 48:4 (v30) Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your brow bronze;
- Luke 10:5-6 (v26) Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it…
- Luke 10:10-12 (v26) But into whatever city you enter, and they don’t receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust from your city that clings to…
- Romans 9:17-23 (v30) For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I caused you to be raised up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name…
- Exodus 20:12 (v29) “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
- Numbers 21:21-23 (v27) Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, “Let me pass through your land. We will not turn away into field or vineyard.…
- Deuteronomy 2:6 (v27) You shall purchase food from them for money, that you may eat. You shall also buy water from them for money, that you may drink.’ ”
- Deuteronomy 2:9 (v29) Yahweh said to me, “Don’t bother Moab, neither contend with them in battle; for I will not give you any of his land for a possession,…
- Deuteronomy 4:1 (v29) Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and to the ordinances which I teach you, to do them; that you may live, and go in and possess the land…
- Deuteronomy 4:21 (v29) Furthermore Yahweh was angry with me for your sakes, and swore that I should not go over the Jordan, and that I should not go in to that…
- Deuteronomy 4:40 (v29) You shall keep his statutes and his commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you,…
- Deuteronomy 5:16 (v29) “Honor your father and your mother, as Yahweh your God commanded you; that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the…
- Deuteronomy 9:6 (v29) Know therefore that Yahweh your God doesn’t give you this good land to possess for your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people.
- Deuteronomy 20:10-11 (v26) When you draw near to a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace to it. It shall be, if it gives you answer of peace and opens to you,…
- Deuteronomy 25:15 (v29) You shall have a perfect and just weight. You shall have a perfect and just measure, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh…
- Joshua 1:11-15 (v29) “Pass through the middle of the camp, and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare food; for within three days you are to pass over this…
- Joshua 21:37 (v26) Kedemoth with its pasture lands, and Mephaath with its pasture lands: four cities.
- Matthew 10:12-15 (v26) As you enter into the household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace…
- Esther 9:30 (v26) He sent letters to all the Jews, to the hundred twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (15 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv29–30 Because neither entreaty nor examples or others could move…
Because neither entreaty nor examples or others could move him, he could not complain of his just destruction.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv26, 30 Deu 2:26 And I sent messengers out of the…
Deu 2:26 And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying,
Ver. 26. With words of peace.] So the Romans, by their heralds, sent to those that opposed or wronged them, caduceum et hastam, a proffer of peace first: For if we princes, said our Henry VII, should take every occasion that is offered, the world should never be quiet, but wearied with continual wars.
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“ Cuncta prius tentanda, etc.
Truncatur et artus, -
Ut liceat reliquis securum vivere membris. ”
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv26–30 Kedemoth; so called from a city of that name,…
Kedemoth; so called from a city of that name, Jos 13:18; and called Jeshimon, Num 21:20.
With words of peace; with offers of peace, which they refusing, their destruction was highly just and reasonable.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv26–30 And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of…
And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth,.... A city in the tribe of Reuben, and given by them to the Levites in later times, having been taken from the Amorites with others; near this lay a wilderness, which took its name from it, and seems to be the same with Jeshimon, Num 21:20. Aben Ezra takes it to be the wilderness of Matthanah, which according to Jerom (g) was situated on Arnon, twelve miles to the east of Medeba; see Num 21:18 from hence messengers were sent by Moses:
unto Sihon king of Heshbon, with words of peace; in a peaceable and respectful manner, desiring to be at peace and in friendship with him, and a continuance of it, which was done to leave him inexcusable; as afterwards a like method was ordered to be taken, when they came to any city, to proclaim peace, and if an answer of peace was given, no hostilities were to be committed, Deu 20:10,
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saying; as follows.
(g) De loc. Heb. fol. 93. C.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv28–30 On my feet - Or, with my company who…
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.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv29–30 Verse 29. As the children of Esau which dwell…
Verse 29. As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir] See Clarke on Nu 20:21.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv26, 28, 29 Deu 2:26. I sent messengers unto Sihon — To…
Deu 2:26. 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.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v26 Kedemoth - literally, “Easternmost parts;” the name of a…
Kedemoth - literally, “Easternmost parts;” the name of a town afterward assigned to the Reubenites, and given out of that tribe to the Levites. Compare Jos 13:18; 1Ch 6:79.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv26, 29, 30 Cademoth, "to the east," of the Arnon. There was…
Cademoth, "to the east," of the Arnon. There was a city of the same name on the other side of the banks, which belonged to Sehon, and was given afterwards to the Levites, 1 Paralipomenon vi. 79. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv26, 27, 30 26. Kedemoth — After the conquest of the country…
26. Kedemoth — After the conquest of the country this city was given to the tribe of Reuben. Jos_13:18. It became a Levitical place of residence. See Jos_21:37; 1Ch_6:64.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv26–30 26. And I sent messengers, etc.] E, Num_21:21, Israel…
26. And I sent messengers, etc.] E, Num_21:21, Israel sent messengers, etc.
the wilderness of Kedemoth] So only here. A Levite city Ḳedemoth, belonging to Re’uben, is given along with Yahaṣ and Mepha‘ath, P, Jos_13:18; Jos_21:37; 1Ch_6:79 [64]. The name is a plur. = East parts; it must have lain N. of Arnon on the edge of the desert. Musil (Moab, 110, 122) compares the ruins el-Meshreik, ‘The Orient,’ 7½ miles N. of W. Sa‘ideh (Deu_2:24) and looking towards the desert.
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Sihon king of Heshbon] E, Num_21:21 : king of the Amorites; cp. Deu_2:26. Sîḥôn is transliterated Sîḥûn in the Ar. Pent. (ed. Lagarde) but the proper Ar. analogue is Shîḥan, a man’s name, also that of the saint venerated by the ‘Ajêlât tribe as the builder of the Ḳãri‘at Shîhan, extensive ruins on the conspicuous Jebel Shîḥân, S. of W. el-Môjeb. See the present writer in PEFQ, 1904, 371 f.; Musil, Moab. 376, 382 with citations from Abu-l-fida and Yaḳût, Ethnol. Bericht (Ar. Petr. iii.) 110, 218.
Heshbon] was his city. The mod. Ḥesbân, with ruins of the Byzantine age and a Greek inscription, near the W. edge of the Moab plateau, at the head of a glen descending to the W. Ḥesbân, and 600 ft below the town, the copious ‘Ain Ḥesban. A little S. of the latitude of Jericho, Ḥeshbôn lay on the main road, almost half-way between Arnon and Jabboḳ, a suitable site for the Amorite capital. See PEF Mem. E. Palestine, 104 ff.
26–37. The Victory over Sîḥôn
From the desert N. of Arnon Moses sent to Sîḥôn asking leave to cross his land in peace, purchasing food and water (Deu_2:26-29). Sîḥôn refused, Jehovah hardening bis spirit that he might be delivered into Israel’s hands (Deu_2:30 f.). They met at Yahaṣ and Sîḥôn was defeated (Deu_2:32 f.). Israel took his towns, put the population to the ban, but reserved cattle and spoil for themselves (Deu_2:34 f.), and occupied his land from the Arnon to Gile‘ad, and up to the Ammonite border on the Jabboḳ (Deu_2:36 f.).
The parallel JE, Num_21:21-32 (for the analysis of which into two narratives see the Comm. in this series), contains besides an old mashal or ode on the subject (Deu_2:27-30). E agrees in substance with D and there are verbal parallels, for which see below. As elsewhere D seems here based on E, with the usual variations of style and one or two details of fact.
On the relation of this section of Moses’ discourse to the preceding see introd. and notes to the latter. On the historicity of the story see the present writer’s HGHL, 662 ff.; and Early Poetry of Israel, 64 ff.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv26, 29, 30 (26) Kedemoth.—Mentioned as a city in the plain of…
(26) Kedemoth.—Mentioned as a city in the plain of Jordan, belonging to Heshbon (Jos_13:18).
Words of peace.—By this message Sihon was excepted from the catalogue of the doomed kings and nations, according to the distinction drawn in Deu_20:10-11; Deu_20:15-16. He therefore brought his fate upon himself. He was offered the privileges of the Moabites whom he had conquered, and refused to accept the position.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv26, 27, 29, 30 The wilderness of Kedemoth; (comp. Num_21:13) so named from…
The wilderness of Kedemoth; (comp. Num_21:13) so named from the town of Kedemoth, an old Amorite town, on the right bank of the Upper Arnon; at a later period, a Levitical city in the tribe of Reuben (Jos_13:18 Jos_21:37; 1Ch_6:79) The name (from the east), signifying eastern parts, indicates that it was situated on the eastern boundary of the Amorite region, so that the desert named from it must have bordered on the great Arabian desert; it may have been on what is now the Derb cf. Haj, or Pilgrims" Road, probably, at Kal"at Balua.
Vers. 26-37. The conquest of Sihon.
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Sihon, though an Amorite, was not to be unconditionally destroyed. He had, like Pharaoh, an opportunity given him of averting ruin by acceding to a most courteous and reasonable request; but, like Pharaoh in this respect also, he hardened his heart, and took the course which made his destruction inevitable. We are led to consider
I SIHON"S OPPORTUNITY. (Vers. 26-30.) It was not given him in the hope that he would avail himself of it; for it was foreseen that he would refuse it and be hardened by it. But the sinner"s hardness of heart is not a reason why the opportunity of securing his salvation should be withheld from him, or why every gracious means should not be employed to overcome his hardness. It is, indeed, necessary that this should be done, in order that the responsibility of his ruin may rest entirely on himself. It lay in the counsel of God that this king"s territory should be given to the Israelites, but only on condition of his refusal of the request made to him. It was otherwise with the gift of Canaan, which was absolute, and permitted of no overtures of peace being made to the inhabitants. Their day of grace was past: to Sihon there still remained this last momentous and decisive opportunity. The last opportunity will come some day to all who harden themselves in sin. (cf. Mat_24:37, Mat_24:38; Luk_19:42) This message of Moses to Sihon was:
1. Peaceable (ver. 26). Peaceful means should be exhausted in a cause before resorting to force. They should be exhausted even with those who are not likely to be influenced by them. This is due to the cause, due to ourselves, and due to the person approached. Men must at least have the opportunity given them of acting reasonably and generously.
2. Courteous (vers. 27, 28). No message could have been couched in more modest or conciliatory terms. A courteous tone is to be adopted towards men, even when we foresee that they will not reciprocate it.
3. Perfectly sincere. This was proved by the justness of Moses" dealings with Edom and Moab, to which he makes reference (ver. 29).
4. Justified by necessity. Only thus could they reach the land which God had given them (ver. 29).
II SIHON"S OBSTINACY. "The Lord thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate" (ver. 30); not, indeed, by any evil influence exerted on his soul, but by giving him up to his naturally obdurate disposition, and by placing him in circumstances which he knew would have a hardening effect, though in themselves of a character fitted rather to soften.
1. The hardening of the heart, so far as it is a result of evil courses, is a work of God operating in the laws of our mental and moral mature. Sin naturally operates to blind the mind, sear the conscience, destroy the generous affections, etc. But these effects are as truly a judicial operation of God in the soul, of a punitive nature, as was the Flood, the destruction of the cities of the plain, or any other outward expression of his wrath.
2. The hardening of the heart, so far as it is the result of acts of providence, is a work of God operating in the moral government of the world. Both mercies and judgments have a hardening effect on those who refuse to be taught by them. This result, foreseen by God, may be also willed, as a just punishment for voluntary transgression; (Isa_6:9, Isa_6:10) while, as a foreseen fact, a sinner"s hardness of heart may be taken up as a link in the further development of God"s purposes.
3. The hardening of the heart, as flowing from influences which ought rather to have melted and subdued it, is a result for which the sinner himself is justly held responsible. God wills not the death of any. The mingled goodness and severity of his dealings with men are meant to lead them to repentance. But the very things which are designed to produce a softening and converting effect on souls, are those which frequently harden and sear them the discipline of sorrow, the preaching of the gospel, warnings and expostulations, etc. Hardness induced by such causes is the most invincible of all, and brands the obdurate transgressor as ripe for God"s judgments. (Pro_29:1)
III SIHON"S DESTRUCTION. (Vers. 32-87.)
1. It was stir-sought. Then Sihon came out," etc. (ver. 32). The sinner"s destruction is of his own seeking.
2. It was achieved by Divine aid, The Lord our God delivered him before us" (ver. 33). So are all spiritual victories. It is the Church"s comfort in her conflicts to know that she has this power to depend on.
3. It was total. Utterly destroyed" (ver. 34). A type of the utter destruction awaiting all who resist and oppose the Divine will; said of the Church, The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish"; (Isa_9:12) of Christ, Every soul which will not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from among the people". J.O. (Act_3:23; cf. 2Th_1:9, 2Th_1:10)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv26, 28, 30 General Information:
General Information:
Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel.
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I sent
Here "I" refers to Moses.
wilderness of Kedemoth
This is the name of a place near the valley of Arnon. (See: How to Translate Names)
Sihon ... Heshbon
These are the names of a man and a place. See how you translated them in Deuteronomy 1:4. (See: How to Translate Names)
with words of peace
"with my offer of peace" or "with a message from me asking for peace"
I will turn neither to the right hand nor to the left
This phrase emphasizes that they will always go in the same direction. It can be stated in positive form. "I will not change direction" or "I will always stay on the path" (See: Litotes)
translationWords
messenger
desert
king
word
peace
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv26, 30 2:26-37 See Num 21:21-32.
2:26-37 See Num 21:21-32.
2:26 The wilderness of Kedemoth might refer to the area north of the Arnon Gorge between Dibon and Mattanah (Josh 13:18; 21:37).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.