ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Deuteronomy 2

Deut. 2:1–23 Moses recalls a time near the end of the 40-year wilderness period when Israel peacefully passed through three nations distantly related to it (see Num. 20:14–21:20).

Deut. 2:1 Red Sea probably includes the Gulf of Aqaba, the northeastern arm of the Red Sea. Mount Seir is south of the Dead Sea, in the land of Edom (see 1:2).

Deut. 2:2–4 the Lord said to me. This expression highlights Moses’ role as God’s official spokesman. long enough. See also 1:6. This formally announces the end of the 40-year wilderness wandering. your brothers. The nation of Edom descended from Jacob’s twin brother, Esau (Gen. 25:30; 32:3; 36:1). Deuteronomy refers to Edom as Seir, Mount Seir, or Esau, perhaps to emphasize the blood relationship.

Deut. 2:5 as a possession. This expression also occurs in vv. 9, 19 with respect to Moab and Ammon (and in v. 12 with respect to Israel’s own territory). Apparently God forbids Israel to take land from these nations because they are related to Israel (the Edomites through Esau; the Moabites and Ammonites through Lot).

Deut. 2:6–7 Israel is not to be indebted to anyone other than God.

Deut. 2:8 Elath and Ezion-geber were seaports on the Red Sea at the Gulf of Aqaba (see v. 1). The Arabah road ran from these towns northward to the Dead Sea.

Deut. 2:9 Moab, like Ammon (v. 19), was descended from Lot, Abraham’s nephew (Gen. 19:36–37).

Deut. 2:10–12 The people whom God had removed to give Moab its land included the very people Israel now feared (see 1:28). Israel should trust God instead of fearing these people. Rephaim, like Anakim, were so tall that the people of Israel thought of them as “giants” (see 2:20–21; 3:11; 13). Edom’s success is a model to encourage Israel. The land of their possession may refer only to the Transjordanian land Israel already possessed (2:24–3:17). Horites. See Gen. 14:6; 36:20–30.

Deut. 2:13–15 The brook Zered was actually a “wadi,” which means it usually flowed only after rain. It was the border between Edom and Moab. thirty-eight years. The adults who earlier refused to enter Canaan have now all died in the wilderness, just as God had said they would (see Num. 14:22–23, 35).

Deut. 2:24–25 The wadi Arnon (see note on vv. 13–15) flowed into the Dead Sea and marked the border between Moab to the south and Amorite territory and Ammon to the north. Sihon the Amorite. See Num. 21:21–30. According to Gen. 15:16, the land would be given to Israel when the wickedness of the Amorites was complete, and now that time has come. The defeat of various nations represents God’s punishment for their sin (Deut. 18:12; see note on Josh. 6:17–18).

Deut. 2:26 Heshbon was a fertile land north of Moab and Ammon, east of the Jordan River. The offer of words of peace does not seem to match the instruction to fight in v. 24.

Deut. 2:30 God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate just as with Pharaoh during the plagues (Ex. 9:12; 10:1–2; etc.). On hardening, see note on Ex. 4:21.

Deut. 2:32 Jahaz is mentioned in Josh. 13:18 and 21:36–37.

Deut. 2:34–35 devoted to destruction. Since God is the victor, the spoils of battle belong to him. God orders Sihon’s destruction (see notes on Lev. 27:28–29; Deut. 20:16–18). Destroying the city is an act of devotion to God.