Keraia
Deuteronomy 2

Deuteronomy 2:30

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

Modern
But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as is the case this day.
Traditional
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.
Literal
Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for YHWH your God hardened his spirit and made obstinate his heart, that He might deliver him into your hand in this day.
Latin
Noluitque Sehon rex Hesebon dare nobis transitum: quia induraverat Dominus Deus tuus spiritum ejus, et obfirmaverat cor illius, ut traderetur in manus tuas, sicut nunc vides.

Original

Hebrew
English
But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as is the case this day.

Notes

Deuteronomy 2:30

God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate (literally God hardened his spirit and strengthened his heart): Like Pharaoh, Sihon refused to repent and encountered God's wrath (see Exodus 7:13). God knew that showing more grace to these rulers would be of no use.

There is mystery in how people harden their own hearts (for example, Exodus 7:13, 22; 8:15) and how God hardens hearts (for example, Exodus 4:21; 7:3; 9:12). What is clear is that God asks for repentance and is ready to forgive. Yet, when people keep ignoring or rejecting him, they may become unable to hear and obey God (see “Hardened Hearts” Theme Note; Romans 1:21–28; 9:17–24).

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

Sihon: Amorite king of Heshbon, defeated by the Israelites

Places

Heshbon: Amorite city conquered by Moses, allotted to Reuben

Glossary

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

Topics

Amorites: Given to Descendants of Abraham God: Providence of, Overruling Interpositions of The Heart: Hardened Hearts: Sihon Israel: Defeat the Amorites Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To the Mountains of Abarim: The Amorites Refuse a Passage to Israel Sihon: Conquest of his Kingdom by the Israelites The Amorites: Refused a Passage to Israel