Keraia
Deuteronomy 2

Deuteronomy 2:24

The Defeat of Sihon · Deuteronomy 2:24–37
Read Deuteronomy 2

Translations

Modern
“Arise, set out, and cross the Arnon Valley. See, I have delivered into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle.
Traditional
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.
Literal
“Rise, set out, and pass over the River Arnon. Look, I have given into your hand Sihon king of Heshbon, the Amorite, and his land. Begin to possess it and engage him in battle.
Latin
Surgite, et transite torrentem Arnon: ecce tradidi in manu tua Sehon regem Hesebon Amorrhæum, et terram ejus incipe possidere, et committe adversus eum prælium.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Arise, set out, and cross the Arnon Valley. See, I have delivered into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle.

Notes

Deuteronomy 2:24

  • The Arnon Valley is a deep canyon formed by the Arnon River. It sometimes marked the border between Moab and Edom (see Numbers 21:13). The river starts deep in the Arabian Desert and flows into the Dead Sea along its eastern shore.

  • Sihon the Amorite controlled the area east of the Jordan River, north of the Arnon River, and south of the Ammonite territories (see Numbers 21:21–35). No ancient records mention him except the Bible. His capital, Heshbon, was probably about 24 kilometers (15 miles) southwest of Rabbath Ammon. It is usually considered to be the same place as the impressive ruins at Tell Hesban.

Deuteronomy 2:2–25

Numbers 21:10–20 covers the same time period.

Deuteronomy 1:6–4:40

Secular treaties (formal agreements between nations) often included a section about the past relationship between the two partners. This section reviewed what had happened before the agreement.

In this case, the purpose was to review Israel’s successes and failures since the exodus from Egypt. It reminded the people that God had kept his word, even when they did not obey him.

To prepare the Israelites for life in Canaan, Moses reminded them about life in Egypt, their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, and their past mistakes. He warned them to obey God's covenant. He assured them that God's grace would follow them as they learned to trust and obey the Lord.

Parallels

Numbers 21:21–30

People

Amorites: Canaanite people group, enemies of Israel Sihon: Amorite king of Heshbon, defeated by the Israelites

Places

Arnon: A river and valley, serving as a boundary for Israel Heshbon: Amorite city conquered by Moses, allotted to Reuben

Glossary

Amorites Ar Archaeology and the Bible Deuteronomy, Book of Tribe of Dan

Topics

Ar: A City of Moab Arnon: Boundary Between Moabites and Amorites Israel: Defeat the Amorites Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Across the Arnon Sihon: Conquest of his Kingdom by the Israelites