Keraia
Deuteronomy 2

Deuteronomy 2:36

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

Translations

Modern
From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the valley, even as far as Gilead, not one city had walls too high for us. The LORD our God gave us all of them.
Traditional
From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the Lord our God delivered all unto us:
Literal
From Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, and from the city that is in the ravine, and as far as Gilead, there was not one city that was too high for us. YHWH our God gave all before our faces.
Latin
…ab Aroër, quæ est super ripam torrentis Arnon, oppido quod in valle situm est, usque Galaad. Non fuit vicus et civitas, quæ nostras effugeret manus: omnes tradidit Dominus Deus noster nobis,

Original

Hebrew
English
From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the valley, even as far as Gilead, not one city had walls too high for us. The LORD our God gave us all of them.

Notes

Deuteronomy 2:36

  • Aroer stood on the north rim of the Arnon Gorge. It was about five kilometers (three miles) from Dibon. Aroer marked the southern border of the Amorite kingdom (3:12; 4:48; Joshua 12:2; 13:9, 16, 25).

  • The identity of the town located in the gorge itself is not certain.

  • Gilead lay north of the Jabbok River. This river formed the northern border of the Amorites under King Sihon. Gilead was famous for its balm (a healing ointment) and other fragrant spices (Jeremiah 8:22; 46:11).

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

Places

Arnon: A river and valley, serving as a boundary for Israel Aroer: A city on the edge of the Arnon Valley Gilead: Mountainous region east of Jordan; tribal territory and personal name

Glossary

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

Topics

Amorites: Given to Descendants of Abraham Arnon: Boundary Between Moabites and Amorites Aroer: A City of the Amorites in the Valley of the River Arnon: Conquered by Israelites Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To the Mountains of Abarim: Sihon Conquered Rivers: Arnon Sihon: Conquest of his Kingdom by the Israelites