Numbers 21:13

13 And they departed thence and encamped on the other side of Arnon in the wilderness, which extends from the coasts of the Amorites; for Arnon is the borders of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.

Numbers 21:13 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 21:13

From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of
Arnon
A river on the borders of Moab:

which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the
Amorites;
according to Jarchi, they went round the land of Moab, all to the south and east, and came not into the border of Moab, as Jephthah said, ( Judges 11:18 ) but before they came hither they had a station at Almondiblathaim, ( Numbers 33:46 Numbers 33:47 )

for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites;
a river which divided these two countries, and bounded them; and Moses is the more particular in this account, to show that the Israelites took nothing from the Moabites, but what the Amorites had taken from them, they being charged not to distress the Moabites and Ammonites, ( Deuteronomy 2:9 Deuteronomy 2:19 ) , see Jephthah's defence, ( Judges 11:15-27 ) .

Numbers 21:13 In-Context

11 And having departed from Oboth, they encamped in Achalgai, on the farther side in the wilderness, which is opposite Moab, toward the east.

12 And thence they departed, and encamped in the valley of Zared.

13 And they departed thence and encamped on the other side of Arnon in the wilderness, which extends from the coasts of the Amorites; for Arnon is the borders of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.

14 Therefore it is said in a book, A war of the Lord has set on fire Zoob, and the brooks of Arnon.

15 And he has appointed brooks to cause Er to dwell ; and it lies near to the coasts of Moab.

Footnotes

• [a]. Amorite