Keraia
Deuteronomy 2

Deuteronomy 2:31

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

Translations

Modern
Then the LORD said to me, “See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his land over to you. Now begin to conquer and possess his land.”
Traditional
And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land.
Literal
And YHWH said to me, “See, I have begun to give over to you Sihon and his land. Begin to possess—to possess his land.”
Latin
Dixitque Dominus ad me: Ecce cœpi tibi tradere Sehon, et terram ejus: incipe possidere eam.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then the LORD said to me, “See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his land over to you. Now begin to conquer and possess his land.”

Notes

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

Glossary

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

Topics

Amorites: Given to Descendants of Abraham God: Preserver in the Wilderness Israel: Defeat the Amorites Sihon: Conquest of his Kingdom by the Israelites