Deuteronomy 2:8-18

8 So we passed by from our brothers the children of Esav, who dwell in Se`ir, from the way of the `Aravah from Elat and from `Etzyon-Gever. We turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Mo'av.

9 The LORD said to me, Don't bother Mo'av, neither contend with them in battle; for I will not give you of his land for a possession; because I have given `Ar to the children of Lot for a possession.

10 (The Emim lived therein before, a people great, and many, and tall, as the `Anakim:

11 these also are accounted Refa'im, as the `Anakim; but the Mo`avim call them Emim.

12 The Hori also lived in Se`ir before, but the children of Esav succeeded them; and they destroyed them from before them, and lived in their place; as Yisra'el did to the land of his possession, which the LORD gave to them.)

13 Now rise up, and get you over the brook Zered. We went over the brook Zered.

14 The days in which we came from Kadesh-Barnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, were thirty-eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were consumed from the midst of the camp, as the LORD swore to them.

15 Moreover the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from the midst of the camp, until they were consumed.

16 So it happened, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people,

17 that the LORD spoke to me, saying,

18 You are this day to pass over `Ar, the border of Mo'av:

Deuteronomy 2:8-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 2

In this chapter Moses goes on with his account of the affairs of the people of Israel, and what befell them, how they turned into the wilderness again; but passes over in silence their travels there, till they came to Mount Self, where having been some time they were bid to depart, De 2:1-3, and were directed not to meddle with the Edomites, or take anything from them, but pay them for what they should have of them, since they lacked not, De 2:4-8, nor to distress the Moabites, of whose country, as formerly inhabited, and also of Edom, some account is given, De 2:9-12, when they were bid to go over the brook Zered, to which from their coming from Kadeshbarnea was the space of thirty eight years, in which time the former generation was consumed, De 2:13-16 and now passing along the borders of Moab, they were ordered not to meddle with nor distress the children of Ammon, of whose land also, and the former inhabitants of it, an account is given, De 2:17-23, then passing over the river Arnon, they are bid to fight with Sihon king of the Amorites, and possess his land, De 2:24,25 to whom they sent messengers, desiring leave to pass through his land, and to furnish them with provisions for their money, as the Edomites and Moabites had done, De 2:26-29 but he refusing, this gave them an opportunity to attack him, in which they succeeded, slew him and his people, and took possession of his country, De 2:30-37.