Deuteronomy 3:16-26

16 But to the Reubenites and the Gadites I gave the territory extending from Gilead down to the Arnon Gorge (the middle of the gorge being the border) and out to the Jabbok River, which is the border of the Ammonites.
17 Its western border was the Jordan in the Arabah, from Kinnereth to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea), below the slopes of Pisgah.
18 I commanded you at that time: “The LORD your God has given you this land to take possession of it. But all your able-bodied men, armed for battle, must cross over ahead of the other Israelites.
19 However, your wives, your children and your livestock (I know you have much livestock) may stay in the towns I have given you,
20 until the LORD gives rest to your fellow Israelites as he has to you, and they too have taken over the land that the LORD your God is giving them across the Jordan. After that, each of you may go back to the possession I have given you.”

Moses Forbidden to Cross the Jordan

21 At that time I commanded Joshua: “You have seen with your own eyes all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. The LORD will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going.
22 Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.”
23 At that time I pleaded with the LORD:
24 “Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?
25 Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan—that fine hill country and Lebanon.”
26 But because of you the LORD was angry with me and would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the LORD said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter.

Deuteronomy 3:16-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 3

In this chapter the account is carried on of the conquest of the Amorites by Israel, of Og king of Bashan, and his kingdom, De 3:1-11, and of the distribution of their country to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh, De 1:12-17 and then the command to the said tribes is observed, to go out armed before their brethren, and assist them in the conquest of the land of Canaan, and then return to their possessions, De 3:18-20 and also that to Joshua not to fear, but to do to the Canaanitish kings and kingdoms what he had seen done to the two kings of the Amorites, De 3:21,22. After which Moses relates the request he made, to go over Jordan and see the good land, which was denied him, only he is bidden to look from the top of an hill to see it, De 3:23-27. And the chapter is closed with the charge he was to give Joshua, De 3:28 which was received in the valley where they abode, De 3:29.

Cross References 20

  • 1. S Numbers 21:24
  • 2. 2 Samuel 2:29; 2 Samuel 4:7; Ezekiel 47:8
  • 3. S Numbers 34:11; Joshua 13:27
  • 4. S Deuteronomy 1:1
  • 5. S Genesis 14:3; Joshua 12:3
  • 6. Joshua 1:13
  • 7. S Numbers 32:17
  • 8. Joshua 1:14
  • 9. S Numbers 32:16
  • 10. S Deuteronomy 1:29
  • 11. Deuteronomy 7:18; Deuteronomy 20:1; Deuteronomy 31:6; 2 Chronicles 32:8; Psalms 23:4; Isaiah 41:10
  • 12. S Exodus 14:14; Deuteronomy 20:4
  • 13. Deuteronomy 1:37; Deuteronomy 31:2; Deuteronomy 32:52; Deuteronomy 34:4
  • 14. Deuteronomy 5:24; Deuteronomy 11:2; Deuteronomy 32:3
  • 15. S Exodus 8:10; Exodus 15:11; Psalms 86:8
  • 16. Psalms 71:16; Psalms 106:2; Psalms 145:12; Psalms 150:2; Psalms 71:16,19
  • 17. 2 Samuel 7:22
  • 18. Deuteronomy 4:22
  • 19. Deuteronomy 1:7; Joshua 1:4; Joshua 9:1; Joshua 11:17; Joshua 12:7; Joshua 13:5; Judges 3:3; Joshua 9:15; 1 Kings 4:33
  • 20. ver 27; Deuteronomy 1:37; Deuteronomy 31:2
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