Deuteronomy 2:30

30 And Sehon the king of Hesebon would not let us pass: because the Lord thy God had hardened his spirit, and fixed his heart, that he might be delivered into thy hands, as now thou seest.

Deuteronomy 2:30 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 2:30

But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him
Or through his country, as was desired:

for the Lord had hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate;
as he did Pharaoh's, for whom he will he hardens; so that he would not listen to the proposals made to him, nor grant the requests asked of him, but with pride and haughtiness of spirit despised and disdained Israel:

that he might deliver him into thine hand;
that so an opportunity might offer of fighting with him, and taking his country from him; whereas, had he been peaceable and flexible, he had continued in the enjoyment of his land, and Israel would not have had that advantage against him; but God, who has the hearts of kings and of all men in his hands, so wrought upon him that he should take the steps he did, which made way for the delivery of him and his country into the hands of the Israelites:

as appeareth this day:
for when Moses made this speech, the kingdom of Sihon was possessed by the Israelites, ( Numbers 21:24 Numbers 21:25 ) .

Deuteronomy 2:30 In-Context

28 Sell us meat for money, that we may eat: give us water for money and so we will drink. We only ask that thou wilt let us pass through,

29 As the children of Esau have done, that dwell in Seir, and the Moabites, that abide in Ar: until we come to the Jordan, and pass to the land which the Lord our God will give us.

30 And Sehon the king of Hesebon would not let us pass: because the Lord thy God had hardened his spirit, and fixed his heart, that he might be delivered into thy hands, as now thou seest.

31 And the Lord said to me: Behold I have begun to deliver unto thee Sehon and his land, begin to possess it.

32 And Sehon came out to meet us with all his people to fight at Jasa.