Deuteronomy 2 18

Deuteronomy 2:18 kjv

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

Deuteronomy 2:18 nkjv

'This day you are to cross over at Ar, the boundary of Moab.

Deuteronomy 2:18 niv

"Today you are to pass by the region of Moab at Ar.

Deuteronomy 2:18 esv

'Today you are to cross the border of Moab at Ar.

Deuteronomy 2:18 nlt

'Today you will cross the border of Moab at Ar

Deuteronomy 2 verses

Deuteronomy 2 18 Meaning

Deuteronomy 2:18 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's journey, declaring God's explicit instruction for His people to "pass over" the designated boundary of Ar, the Moabite territory. This divine directive signifies an end to their prolonged wandering and sets the stage for their structured approach towards the Promised Land. Crucially, it highlights God's sovereignty over the nations, delineating clear boundaries and specifying areas where Israel was not to engage in conflict because He had already given them as a possession to others, namely the descendants of Lot.

Deuteronomy 2 18 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 2 details the final stretch of Israel's 40-year wilderness journey. Moses is recounting the commands given by God during this period, emphasizing God's meticulous guidance and Israel's past failures and successes. After thirty-eight years of wandering, God declares it's time for Israel to move forward from Mount Seir, instructing them not to engage Edom (descendants of Esau, brother to Jacob), whose territory they are about to pass through. Following this, the focus shifts to Moab. Verse 18 is part of God's direct command for Israel to pass by Moab without hostility. This particular instruction differentiates Moab from other nations, stressing God's prior allocation of that land to the descendants of Lot. This phase marks a significant transition from punishment (wandering) to progression towards the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy 2 18 Word analysis

• Hayom (This day): Signifies divine appointment and immediacy. It emphasizes that this is God's timing and command for a specific action. Not a vague future event, but now.
• Atah (you/plural): Refers to the collective nation of Israel. The command is to the community as a whole.
• Avar (are to pass over/through): (עָבַר). Literally means "to cross over," "to pass through," or "to traverse." It implies movement from one side or phase to another, often signifying a significant transition or boundary crossing. Here, it denotes traversing rather than conquering.
• Et (particle): No direct meaning, typically indicates the definite direct object.
• Ar (Ar): A specific city on the border of Moab. Its mention underscores geographical precision in God's command. It serves as a clear landmark marking a geopolitical boundary.
• Gevul (the border/boundary): (גְּבוּל). Signifies a demarcation, limit, or frontier. It highlights the precise territorial boundary set by God, indicating what is within bounds and what is off-limits for hostile action. God respects and establishes borders for nations.
• Moav (of Moab): (מוֹאָב). Refers to the nation of Moab, descended from Lot (Gen 19:37). Their lineage ties them to Israel through Abraham, explaining God's instruction to spare them here. This shows God's sovereign care and justice extend beyond just Israel.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "This day you are to pass over": Establishes an immediate, divine command for a decisive action. It is a moment of divine initiative and human obedience. This emphasizes urgency and a new beginning after decades of waiting.
• "Ar, the border of Moab": Identifies the precise geographical boundary that Israel must traverse. It defines the limits of God's command and clarifies whose territory is in question. This detail is crucial for the Israelites to avoid violating God's specific instruction about Moabite land given to Lot's descendants.

Deuteronomy 2 18 Bonus section

The command to respect Moab's border provides a powerful theological lesson: God is not merely the God of Israel but the sovereign over all peoples and their lands. This particular instruction prevents Israel from assuming that all land not under their possession is automatically available for conquest. It reveals God's universal justice and providential care, even for nations whose ancestors had a dubious origin like Moab (Gen 19:37) and who would later prove to be adversaries (Num 22-25, Jer 48). This directive acts as a counter-polemic against any perception that God's favor for Israel negates His ownership or dealings with other nations. It demonstrates God's moral governance extends to all humanity, upholding specific rights and possessions established by His decree for other groups, a concept crucial for understanding God's righteous character.

Deuteronomy 2 18 Commentary

Deuteronomy 2:18 is a precise divine instruction, marking a transition point for Israel after decades of wilderness wandering. The phrase "this day" imparts immediate urgency and divine purpose to their movement. The command to "pass over Ar, the border of Moab" is not merely about geographical relocation, but a lesson in recognizing God's sovereign boundaries over all nations. Unlike other peoples Israel was destined to displace, God explicitly forbade hostilities with Moab (and later Ammon), revealing that His covenant with Abraham did not nullify His universal dominion or His grants of land to others, such as Lot's descendants. This particular command underscored God's faithfulness to promises made even outside the Abrahamic covenant. It teaches Israel – and by extension, believers – to operate within the specific, sometimes unexpected, parameters of God's will, even when it means foregoing what might appear as opportunities for expansion or conquest. It reminds us that divine sovereignty dictates not only where we go but also where we don't go, and what boundaries we must respect according to His eternal plan.