Verse 1
turned = faced about. Compare Deuteronomy 1:7.
as = according as.
the LORD spake. Jehovah spake at nine "sundry times" and in three "divers manners":
1. To me (Moses), Deuteronomy 2:1, Deuteronomy 2:2, Deuteronomy 2:17; Deuteronomy 9:13; Deuteronomy 32:48.
2. To you, Deuteronomy 4:12, Deuteronomy 4:15; Deuteronomy 10:4.
3. To all your assembly, Deuteronomy 5:22.
spake = said, as in Deuteronomy 1:42. Compare Numbers 21:4.
many days. These are distinguished from those mentioned in Deuteronomy 1:46. Those were resting in disobedience, these were journeying in obedience.
Verse 4
pass through = cross the border. Numbers 20:4, Numbers 20:14-17. Judges 11:17.
children = sons.
Verse 5
because, &c. Compare Genesis 32:3; Genesis 33:6-8; Genesis 36:8. Joshua 24:4.
a possession. Hebrew. yarash (because given). Also in verses: Deuteronomy 2:9, Deuteronomy 2:12, Deuteronomy 2:19, Deuteronomy 2:20, &c.; in Deut, not "ahaz (because seized), as in other books; though "ahaz is used in Ch. Deuteronomy 32:49.
Verse 6
meat. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (App-6) for all kinds of food.
Verse 7
the LORD thy God. Jehovah thy Elohim = the triune God.
hand. Some codices, with some early printed editions, and Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "hands".
forty years. Compare Nehemiah 9:21.
nothing. Hebrew "not a word": i.e. of what Jehovah had promised. Compare Deuteronomy 8:2-4.
Verse 8
passed by. Compare Numbers 20:21; Numbers 21:11-13.
from Elath, &c. Gulf of Akabah. Compare Numbers 33:35, Numbers 33:36, and 1 Kings 9:26.
wilderness of Moab. See the route, Judges 11:16-18.
Verse 9
the LORD [Hebrew. Jehovah. said unto me (or Moses). Occurs thirteen times in Deut.: Deuteronomy 2:9, Deuteronomy 2:31; Deuteronomy 3:2, Deuteronomy 3:26; Deuteronomy 4:10; Deuteronomy 5:28; Deuteronomy 9:12; Deuteronomy 10:1, Deuteronomy 10:11; Deuteronomy 18:17; Deuteronomy 31:2, Deuteronomy 31:14, Deuteronomy 31:16; Deuteronomy 34:4.
Distress not, &c. God judged both (2 Chronicles 20:1-25. Amos 1:13-15).
Verse 10
Emims = terrible ones (Genesis 14:5). A race of the Nephilim. See App-25.
Anakims. See on Deuteronomy 1:28, and App-25.
Verse 11
giants. Hebrew. Rephaim, another name for the Nephilim, from one Rapha. See App-25. Connected with healing, and with Egypt (Genesis 50:2). See App-23.
Verse 12
Horims. Another race or name of the Nephilim See App-25. Compare Genesis 14:6. See App-25.
destroyed = exterminated. Hebrew. shamad.
stead = room. These are the Canaanites with whom Satan had preoccupied the land to thwart God"s purpose in Abraham. Compare Genesis 12:6; Genesis 13:7, and see App-25. All these had to be destroyed, as the Nephilim were destroyed by the Flood. Compare Genesis 6:4, which tells of a later irruption. See Genesis 14:5.
possession . . . gave. See Ch. Deuteronomy 3:20, and note on Deuteronomy 2:5.
Verse 13
Now. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint, read "Now therefore".
brook Zered, which flows into the Arnon, the frontier between Moab and Ammon. Numbers 21:13.
Verse 14
thirty and eight years. Compare the antitype of Israel in the flesh, John 5:6.
Verse 15
destroy = shake off. Hebrew. hamam.
Verse 19
Ammon. See Genesis 19:36-38, and compare Judges 11:15.
Verse 20
Zamzummims. A name given them by the Ammonites = noisy ones. See verses: Deuteronomy 2:10-12, and App-25.
Verse 21
Anakims. See note on Deuteronomy 1:28, and App-25.
Verse 22
destroyed = exterminated. Hebrew. shamad.
Verse 23
Avims. Another name for these Nephilim. Joshua 13:3. (App-25.)
Additional notes on next page. Azzah = Gaza. Genesis 10:19. 1 Samuel 6:17. Compare 1 Kings 4:24. Jeremiah 25:20. Acts 8:26.
Caphtorims. Another name, for those that came out of Caphtor. Genesis 10:14. Amos 9:7. Jeremiah 47:4. Some-times identified with Crete, or the Delta.
Verse 24
take your journey. Compare Numbers 21:13.
Verse 25
put the dread. Fulfilment of Ex. Deuteronomy 15:14, Deuteronomy 15:15.
Verse 26
sent messengers., Numbers 21:21, Numbers 21:22. Judges 11:19.
Kedemoth. Compare Numbers 21:21-24. Afterward a Levitical city (Joshua 13:18; Joshua 21:37. 1 Chronicles 6:64, 1 Chronicles 6:79).
Verse 28
shalt sell. Edom refused to let Israel pass through, but did sell, as here stated. Compare Numbers 20:17-21. Moab, too, "sold", but did not meet as a friend (Deuteronomy 23:4, where karam means to offer unasked). Compare Isaiah 21:17.
Verse 29
As = According as.
Verse 30
Sihon . . . would not. Compare Numbers 21:23. Judges 11:20.
God = Elohim, acting as the Creator with a creature.
hardened. Hebrew. kashah. See note on Exodus 4:21.
spirit = Hebrew. ruach. See App-9.
Verse 31
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.
Verse 32
came out. Sihon was the aggressor. Numbers 21:2, Numbers 21:3. Judges 11:20.
Verse 33
sons. So read, but written in Hebrew text "son" (singular)
Verse 34
destroyed = devoted to destruction. Hebrew. haram. Compare Deuteronomy 3:6; Deuteronomy 7:2; Deuteronomy 20:17.
men. Hebrew. methim. See App-14.
Verse 35
a prey. For the law governing this see Num 31.
Verse 36
Aroer., Numbers 32:34. The name is on the Moabite Stone. See App-54.
the city: i.e. Ar of Moab. Numbers 21:15.
delivered. Compare Judges 11:21, Judges 11:22, Judges 11:26. "For His mercy endureth for ever", Psalms 136:18-22.