Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 2:16

So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people,

16 25. Approach to the ‘Ammonites and Amorites

The adult generation having died out (Deu 2:16), Jehovah charged Moses that, being about to pass the border or cross the territory of Mo’ab (Deu 2:17 f.) and to approach ‘Ammn, Israel (Sg. address) must not fight the latter, for Jehovah gave that land to the sons of Lot (Deu 2:19). Follows an archaeological note on the predecessors of ‘Ammn (Deu 2:20-23); and then the command, in the Pl. address, to cross the Arnon (Deu 2:24 a); then, in the Sg., an assurance that Sn should be given into Israel’s hands, they must fight him (Deu 2:24 b); for the dread of Israel would Jehovah put on all peoples at the mere report of Israel’s approach (Deu 2:25).

This section is perplexing, because of the apparently proleptic mention of ‘Ammn, the use of the Pl. address only in Deu 2:24 a, and the discrepancy between Deu 2:24 b, Deu 2:25 and the next section, especially Deu 2:27-30. On these grounds, combined with the fact that there are no parallels in JE, on which document the rest of this discourse is based, there is a strong case for the opinion that this section is for the most part from another hand than the rest of the discourse. Steuern. indeed takes only Deu 2:16-17; Deu 2:24 a as original. For details see notes.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

16. all the men of war were consumedand dead from among the peopleThe outbreak at Kadesh on thefalse report of the spies had been the occasion of the fatal decreeby which God doomed the whole grown-up population to die in thewilderness [Nu 14:29]; but thatoutbreak only filled up the measure of their iniquities. For thatgeneration, though not universally abandoned to heathenish andidolatrous practices, yet had all along displayed a fearful amount ofungodliness in the desert, which this history only hints atobscurely, but which is expressly asserted elsewhere (Eze 20:25;Eze 20:26; Amo 5:25;Amo 5:27; Act 7:42;Act 7:43).

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed,…. By wasting diseases and judgments of one kind or another:

and dead from among the people; the rising and surviving generation.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Verses 16-23:

The territory of Ammon lay to the east of Moab. Israel would come to their border when they passed through Ar (Arnon), Num 21:13-15. They were to leave strictly alone the territory of Ammon, because it was a Divine land grant to these descendants of Lot.

The Ammonites lived in a territory formerly inhabited by a race of giants, whom they called Zamzummim, meaning “powerful, vigorous,” called Zuzim in Gen 14:5. God destroyed this- race by some unspecified means, before the Ammonites occupied the territory. He did this in the same manner that He destroyed the Horim, verse 12, from before Esau.

Avim, meaning “villagers,” a Canaanite race dwelling in villages as far as Gaza. Destroyed by the Caphtorim.

Caphtorim, a race of people from Caphtor. Some describe this place as the Island of Crete. Others contend it was a maritime land in or near Egypt. Caphtor and Caphtorim are mentioned in four other places in Scripture: Gen 10:14; 1Ch 1:12; Jer 47:4; Amo 9:7.

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

6. PASSING THROUGH AMMON (Deu. 2:16-23)

16 So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people, 17 that Jehovah spake unto me, saying, 18 Thou art this day to pass over Ar, the border of Moab; 19 and when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, vex them not, nor contend with them; for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon for a possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession. 20 (That also is accounted a land of Rephaim: Rephaim dwelt therein aforetime; but the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, 21 a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakim; but Jehovah destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead; 22 as he did for the children of Esau, that dwell in Seir, when he destroyed the Horites from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day: 23 and the Avvim, that dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, that came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead,)

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 2:1623

45.

Whence came the Ammonites?

46.

Locate and identify the Zamzummim, the Avvim, the Cophtorim.

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 2:1623

16 So when all the men of war had died from among the people.
17 The Lord spoke to me [Moses], saying,
18 You are this day to pass through Ar, the border of Moab.
19 But when you come near the territory of the sons of Ammon, do not trouble or assault them, or provoke or stir them up, for I will not give you any of the land of the Ammonites for a possession, because I have given it to the sons of Lot for a possession.
20 (That also is known as the land of Rephaim [of giant stature]; Rephaim dwelt there formerly, but the Ammonites call them Zamzummim,
21 A people great and many, and tall as the Anakim; but the Lord destroyed them before [Israel]; and they dispossessed them and settled in their stead;
22 As He did for the sons of Esau, who dwell in Seir, when He destroyed the Horites from before them, and they dispossessed them, and settled in their stead even to this day.
23 As for the Avvim, who dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, who came from Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)

COMMENT 2:1623

VEX THEM NOT (Deu. 2:19)See under Deu. 2:9.

AND THE AVVIM, THAT DWELT IN VILLAGES AS FAR AS GAZA, THE CAPHTORIM, THAT CAME FORTH OUT OF CAPHTOR, DESTROYED THEM, AND DWELT IN THEIR STEAD (Deu. 2:23)Concluding the explanatory historical note that began with Deu. 2:20 and that is similar to Deu. 2:10-12. The historian is explaining how various original inhabitants were dispossessed by other peoplesor how it happened that certain older tribes were still in evidence as the children of Israel advanced through the east-side countries. The Edomites had taken over the Horites, the Moabites and Ammonites, children of Lot, from the Rephaimknown locally as the Emim or Zamzummim, respectively; and the Caphtorim from the Avvim.

The Awim were the early inhabitants of the southwestern extremity of Canaan afterward occupied by the Philistines (Joh. 13:3-4). Hurlbut states: South of the Canaanites, on the Maritime Plain, were the Philistines. Emigrants is the meaning of the word, supporting the view that they came from Caphtor, or Crete, which was the capital of an empire embracing the isles and surroundings of the Aegean Sea prior to 2000 B.C. They were related to the Egyptians, and hence were of Hamitic stock [See Gen. 10:13-14; 1Ch. 1:11-12]. They came to the land before the time of Abraham, drove out and subdued the earlier Avim (Deu. 2:23), or Avites, and had frequent dealings with Abraham and Isaac.[20] See also Jer. 47:4, Amo. 9:7.

[20] Bible Atlas, p. 23.

Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

16-19. Men of war were consumed The generation that rebelled had died in their wandering. The people are now to cross over the boundary of Moab and advance into the neighbourhood of the Ammonites. In Deu 2:20-23 some particulars concerning the ancient inhabitants of these regions are introduced.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

The Children of Israel Pass Through the Ammonites – In Deu 2:16-23 Moses rehearses Israel’s journey through the land of the Ammonites.

Deu 2:16  So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people,

Deu 2:17  That the LORD spake unto me, saying,

Deu 2:18  Thou art to pass over through Ar, the coast of Moab, this day:

Deu 2:19  And when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession.

Deu 2:19 “the children of Ammon” – Comments – They disposed the Zamzummims (Deu 2:20).

Deu 2:20  (That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims;

Deu 2:21  A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead:

Deu 2:22  As he did to the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, when he destroyed the Horims from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day:

Deu 2:21-22 Comments The Conquest of the Ammonites – The Ammonites were given a successful conquest for their land similar to the children of Israel’s conquest, and similar to the conquest of the Edomites (Deu 2:12).

Deu 2:23  And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)

Deu 2:23 “which came forth out of Caphtor” – Comments – Most scholars believe that Caphtor is a reference to Crete, and the Scriptures suggest the Philistines came out of the nation of Caphtor ( ISBE). [21]

[21] W. Ewing, “Caphtor,” in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, ed. James Orr (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., c1915, 1939), in The Sword Project, v. 1.5.11 [CD-ROM] (Temple, AZ: CrossWire Bible Society, 1990-2008).

Gen 10:13-14, “And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim, and Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim .” (also 1Ch 1:12)

Jer 47:4, “Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor .”

Amo 9:7, “Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor , and the Syrians from Kir?”

Fuente: Everett’s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures

The Defeat of Sihon

v. 16. So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people, the punishment of God having struck them according to His word,

v. 17. that the Lord spake unto me, saying,

v. 18. Thou art to pass over through Ar, the coast of Moab, this day;

v. 19. and when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, whose territory was chiefly east and northeast of that of the Amorites, distress them not, nor meddle with them, assume no hostile attitude nor make a show of attacking them; for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession, for the Ammonites were descendants of Lot, Gen 19:38.

v. 20. (That also was accounted a land of giants before its occupation by the children of Ammon; giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, literally, “a humming, noisy people,” possibly the same as the Zusim, Gen 14:5, or related to them;

v. 21. a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakim. But the Lord destroyed them before them, the Ammonites, His object being to lead the latter to repentance, to cause them to seek the true God, the tradition of whom was handed down to them from their fathers, and they succeeded them and dwelt in their stead,

v. 22. as He did to the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir when He destroyed the Horims from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day;

v. 23. and the Avims, which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, in the southwestern corner of Canaan, the Caphtorim, which came forth out of Caphtor, and bore the name of their progenitor, Gen 10:14, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead. ) This notice having been inserted for the sake of orientation, Moses continues his address proper.

v. 24. Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon, the southern boundary of the land of the Amorites; behold, I have given in to thine hand Sihon, the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land; begin to possess it, in modern English, go ahead and take it, and contend with him in battle.

v. 25. This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, not only the Canaanites, but all the other nations whom the news of their advance would reach, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.

v. 26. And I sent messengers out of the Wilderness of Kedemoth, on the southeastern boundary of the Amorite territory, where there was an easy passage over the Arnon, unto Sihon, king of Heshbon, with words of peace, in order to give him an opportunity to decide for himself and to avoid an offense against Jehovah, saying,

v. 27. Let me pass through thy land. I will go along by the highway; I will neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left. Cf Num 21:21-22.

v. 28. Thou shalt sell me meat, food, for money, that I may eat, and give me water for money, that I may drink; only I will pass through on my feet, without any delay,

v. 29. (as the children of Esau which dwell in Seir, and the Moabites which dwell in Ar, did unto me,) until I shall pass over Jordan into the land which the Lord, our God, giveth us.

v. 30. But Sihon, king of Heshbon, would not let us pass by him, through his land; for the Lord, thy God, hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day. All obduracy on the part of man is as much a deed of man’s freedom, of his own willful transgression, as it is a punishment of God. When man continues to harden his heart to the influence of God, then God, in turn, hardens the sinner until he becomes altogether callous toward all efforts of the Spirit.

v. 31. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee; begin to possess that thou mayest inherit his land.

v. 32. Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz, Num 21:23.

v. 33. And the Lord, our God, delivered him before us; and we smote him and his sons and all his people, Num 21:24.

v. 34. And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men and the women and the little ones of every city; we left none to remain, for it was a war of extermination;

v. 35. only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we took.

v. 36. From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, in the extreme southern part of the territory, and from the city that is by the river, Ar or Areopolis, even unto Gilead, the southern boundary of which, generally speaking, was the Jabbok, there was not one city too strong for us, literally, “too high,” too powerful to overcome; the Lord, our God, delivered all unto us;

v. 37. only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not, nor unto any place of the river Jabbok, toward the east and north, nor unto the cities in the mountains, the mountainous district of Ammonitis, nor unto whatsoever the Lord, our God, forbade us. Note that the Lord spared the Edomites, the Moabites, and the Ammonites, nations related to Israel, since He wanted to give them time and opportunity for repentance. In the very midst of the unbelievers and His professed enemies the Lord has His elect, whom He intends to lead to repentance by the glorious manifestations of His kindness and mercy.

Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann

The Reader should not overlook the mercies of GOD in providence over unawakened people, which these verses as well as the former ones in this chapter on the same subject record. Neither should he forget to remark, how the memory of the just is blessed in their children, ages after they are dead, as is here shown in the case of Lot. Neither should the pious Reader overlook the sweet instruction which those precepts hold forth, in Israel’s being. tender to Moab, though Moab wished the ruin of Israel. Num 22:6 . What saith our dear Redeemer on this subject? See Mat 5:44-45 .

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Deu 2:16-25

16So it came about when all the men of war had finally perished from among the people, 17that the LORD spoke to me, saying, 18’Today you shall cross over Ar, the border of Moab. 19When you come opposite the sons of Ammon, do not harass them nor provoke them, for I will not give you any of the land of the sons of Ammon as a possession, because I have given it to the sons of Lot as a possession.’ 20(It is also regarded as the land of the Rephaim, for Rephaim formerly lived in it, but the Ammonites call them Zamzummin, 21a people as great, numerous, and tall as the Anakim, but the LORD destroyed them before them. And they dispossessed them and settled in their place, 22just as He did for the sons of Esau, who live in Seir, when He destroyed the Horites from before them; they dispossessed them and settled in their place even to this day. 23And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and lived in their place.) 24Arise, set out, and pass through the valley of Arnon. Look! I have given Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land into your hand; begin to take possession and contend with him in battle. 25This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the peoples everywhere under the heavens, who, when they hear the report of you, will tremble and be in anguish because of you.’

Deu 2:16 all the men of war had finally perished This shows a balance between the love of God and the justice of God. God’s purpose is not just to punish, but to help His people learn from their mistakes. Therefore, He made these people, under His death sentence, wander around for 38 years, but He fed them, He loved them and He provided for them. It wasn’t sudden death, but it was an untimely death. Everyone of the men who came up to Kadesh-barnea, 20 years of age and up, were now dead, except Joshua and Caleb.

Deu 2:19 This is parallel to Deu 2:5 and Deu 2:9. These are the same VERBS as Deu 2:9. Here the first (BDB 849, KB 1015) is JUSSIVE in meaning, but not form. The second (BDB 173, KB 202) is a Hithpael JUSSIVE. The Ammonites were also relatives of the Israelites through Lot.

Deu 2:20 (It is also regarded as the land of the Rephaim) This was an ethnic group who lived in this place. They were also called Zamzummin. Deu 2:21 shows us they were part of the giants (cf. Deu 2:9.) See Special Topic: Terms Used for Tall/Powerful Warriors or People Groups (Giants) .

Zamzummin See Gen 14:5.

Deu 2:21 YHWH had been faithful to the descendants of Esau (Deu 2:5; Deu 2:22) and Lot (Deu 2:9-10; Deu 2:21-22). The same holy war vocabulary used to describe Israel’s victories of conquest are used to describe Edom and Ammon’s conquest of their tribal lands.

Deu 2:23

NASB, NRSV,

TEV, REBAvvim

NKJV Avim

NJB Avvites

This term (BDB 732) has two meanings:

1. A people group which inhabited the land south of Palestine. They were conquered by Aegean people (i.e., Philistines). Albright even associates them with Hyksos settlements (cf. ABD, vol. 1, p. 531). This chapter has listed original inhabitants of places who were defeated and dispossessed.

2. Later in Joshua this term becomes the name of a city in the tribal allocation of Benjamin (cf. Jos 18:23). Some scholars have surmised that they were people from Ai.

the Caphtorim who came from Caphtor This term (BDB 499) could possibly be the island of Crete, Cyprus, Cappadocia, or northern Egypt (cf. Gen 10:13-14). We do not know exactly. The Caphtorim (plural of Caphtor) were possibly neighbors or relatives of the Philistines (cf. Gen 10:14; Jer 47:4; Amo 9:7).

Deu 2:24 This verse has several commands:

1. Arise – BDB 877, KB 1086, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Gen 13:17

2. Set out – BDB 652, KB 704, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Deu 1:19; Deu 2:1

3. Pass through – BDB 716, KB 778, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Isa 23:12

4. Look – BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal IMPERATIVE

5. Begin – BDB 320 III, KB 319, Hiphil IMPERATIVE, cf. Deu 2:31

6. To take possession – BDB 439, KB 441, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Det. Deu 1:8; Deu 1:21; Deu 2:31; Deu 9:23

7. Contend – BDB 173, KB 202, Hithpael IMPERATIVE, cf. Deu 2:5; Deu 2:9; Deu 2:19; Dan 11:10

YHWH is commanding, encouraging, and challenging His people to trust Him and obey His word as their parents did not. The land was theirs if they exercised faith!

Amorite See note at Deu 1:4. The capital of this kingdom was Heshbon. It became the allotted tribal territory of Reuben.

Deu 2:25 I will begin to put These two terms are IMPERATIVES in Deu 2:24. God was ready to act as warrior on their behalf if they would trust Him and enter into battle with the local inhabitants!

dread and fear The first term (BDB 808) means to be in awe or dread:

1. Israel’s enemies will dread them – Deu 2:25; Deu 11:25; Psa 105:38

2. the Israelis will be afraid of YHWH if they sin – Deu 28:66-67

3. YHWH is to be awed – Psa 119:120

The second term (BDB 432) means to fear:

1. the fear of God – Exo 20:20

2. reverence of God – Psa 2:11; Psa 90:11; Psa 119:38

3. fear of death – Psa 55:4-5

4. fear of Israel – Deu 2:25

everywhere under the heavens This is an obvious hyperbole (i.e., whole earth, Deu 4:19; Dan 9:12). This is referring to the inhabitants of Canaan.

tremble and be in anguish This is parallel to dread and fear. The first VERB (BDB 919, KB 1182, Qal PERFECT) means quake or quiver (cf. Pro 29:9; Isa 14:9). The second VERB (BDB 296, KB 297, Qal PERFECT) means dance, whirl (cf. Lam 4:6) or writhe (cf. Isa 23:4; Isa 26:18 [giving birth]).

Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley

Conquering beyond Jordan

Deu 2:16-37

In the earlier verses of this portion we catch a glimpse of the former history of Palestine, with the wars of conquest and changes of tenure that swept over it. The Almighty Governor of the world was, as the Apostle Paul said afterward, determining seasons and frontiers. Nations enervated by their sins are continually being judged by the Prince of the kings of the earth. See Lev 18:28; Act 17:26-27; Rev 1:5; Mat 25:32.

A pacific and fair offer, in all good faith, was made to Sihon, which he refused to accept. The heart which is already hardened by sin becomes harder with every fresh rejection of Gods love. In that sense we understand how the Lord hardened his heart. No ice is so hard as that which freezes at night after a day of thaw. The sun that melts wax, hardens clay; but the fault is not with the sun, but with the clay.

Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary

Reciprocal: Gen 44:4 – Up Num 17:13 – consumed Jos 5:4 – All the 1Co 10:5 – General Heb 3:17 – whose

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deu 2:16-17. When all the men of war were consumed Israel is not called to march against and attack the Canaanites till the men most fit for war, and who probably had learned the art of it in Egypt, and had been used to hardship, were all wasted and dead from among the people, and only a host of new raised men, trained up in a wilderness, were left, in whom, as being possessed of little knowledge, experience, or natural fortitude, no great dependance could be placed. Thus it became more fully manifest that the excellency of the power which subdued the warlike Canaanites, was of God and not of man. On the same principle, and with the same design, long after this, were the following words spoken by the Lord to Gideon: The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. And thus, to subdue the enemies of Gods church, and bring sinners to the obedience of the faith, he hath chosen the weak things of the world, and things that are despised, and things that are not, to bring to naught the things that are, that no flesh may glory in his presence.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments