Deuteronomy 2 26

Deuteronomy 2:26 kjv

And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying,

Deuteronomy 2:26 nkjv

"And I sent messengers from the Wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon, with words of peace, saying,

Deuteronomy 2:26 niv

From the Desert of Kedemoth I sent messengers to Sihon king of Heshbon offering peace and saying,

Deuteronomy 2:26 esv

"So I sent messengers from the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon the king of Heshbon, with words of peace, saying,

Deuteronomy 2:26 nlt

Moses continued, "From the wilderness of Kedemoth I sent ambassadors to King Sihon of Heshbon with this proposal of peace:

Deuteronomy 2 verses

Deuteronomy 2 26 Meaning

This verse recounts Moses' proactive, diplomatic effort to avoid conflict with Sihon, the Amorite king of Heshbon, before Israel crossed into his territory. Acting from the Wilderness of Kedemoth, messengers were dispatched with an offer of peace and peaceful transit. This demonstrates Israel's adherence to a righteous protocol, offering peace before engaging in conflict, even as God had already ordained the outcome of Sihon's resistance.

Deuteronomy 2 26 Context

Deuteronomy 2 is part of Moses' recounting of Israel's journey from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab, specifically focusing on their encounters and God's directives regarding the territories of Edom, Moab, and Ammon. The preceding verses emphasize that Israel was explicitly commanded by God not to engage these kindred nations in battle (Deut 2:4, 9, 19). Verse 26, however, introduces a different directive concerning Sihon, king of the Amorites. Despite God's prior declaration that Sihon's land would be given to Israel (Deut 2:24), Moses first initiated a peaceful approach. This historical context reveals God's meticulous guidance for Israel, distinguishing between those nations to be left undisturbed and those whose lands were appointed for conquest, emphasizing that even in conquest, protocol and divine justice were paramount. The refusal on Sihon's part solidified God's intention and Israel's just cause.

Deuteronomy 2 26 Word analysis

• "So I sent" (וָאֶשְׁלַח - va'eshlaḥ): The conjunction waw ("so/and") connects this action directly to the preceding divine instruction about taking Sihon's land. Eshlaḥ is the first-person singular form of the verb "to send," indicating Moses as the speaker, executing a command under divine authority. The root שלח (shalach) implies commissioning or delegating an important task. This was a formal diplomatic mission.
• "messengers": The Hebrew implies "those sent" from the verbal form, rather than a separate noun. This highlights the agency of sending an official embassy or delegation.
• "from the Wilderness of Kedemoth" (מִמִּדְבַּר קְדֵמוֹת - mimmīdbar Qedēmōt): Midbar refers to a wilderness or desert, often a transitional and desolate area. Kedemoth, possibly meaning "eastern" or "ancient places," marks Israel's precise geographical location east of the Jordan. This specific detail emphasizes the deliberate and strategically positioned nature of Moses' diplomatic initiative, as Israel was moving purposefully toward the promised land, adhering to divine directives at every stage.
• "to Sihon king of Heshbon" (אֶל־סִיחוֹן מֶלֶךְ חֶשְׁבּוֹן - ’el-Sīḥōn Meleḵ Ḥešbōn): Sihon (possibly meaning "sweeping away") is identified as the specific powerful Amorite ruler. Meleḵ signifies his royal authority. Heshbon was a formidable, well-fortified Amorite capital. This denotes a direct and intentional engagement with a significant military and political power in the Transjordan region, a power Israel was divinely mandated to confront.
• "with words of peace" (דִּבְרֵי שָׁלוֹם - dibrê shālôm): Dibre means "words of" or "matters concerning." Shalom signifies profound well-being, wholeness, prosperity, and harmony, extending beyond a mere absence of conflict. It represents a genuine, formal offer for an amicable resolution, typically involving a request for unhindered passage and offering to pay for water and food, consistent with Ancient Near Eastern diplomatic customs. This demonstrates Israel's commitment to righteous conduct and obedience to future (though prefigured) legal principles of warfare.
• "saying" (לֵאמֹר - lē’mōr): This common Hebrew particle introduces the content of the message itself, indicating that the verses following (Deut 2:27-29) directly quote Moses' precise offer to Sihon.

Deuteronomy 2 26 Bonus section

The diplomatic initiative recounted in Deuteronomy 2:26 provides critical theological depth to Israel's conquest of Transjordan. Far from being a land grab, the offering of peace to Sihon established his guilt and rebellion against God's implicit will, providing divine justification for the ensuing war. This narrative serves to counter any potential accusation that Israel waged war indiscriminately. The very detailed account, reinforced by parallels in Numbers 21 and mentions in Judges and Psalms, underscores its foundational importance in Israelite memory and theology concerning the nature of their possession of the land. Furthermore, this incident established the principle that while certain nations were protected by God from Israelite aggression, the Amorites, specifically, were not. This distinction was crucial, demonstrating that Israel’s territorial expansion was neither accidental nor purely opportunistic but executed within the strict boundaries and moral parameters set by Yahweh.

Deuteronomy 2 26 Commentary

Deuteronomy 2:26 records a pivotal act in Israel's journey towards their inheritance, illustrating a divinely guided protocol even amidst a campaign of conquest. Moses' dispatch of messengers with "words of peace" to Sihon was not merely a ceremonial gesture but a concrete offer to avoid war, demonstrating Israel's adherence to God's standard of justice, even if God's sovereign plan ensured Sihon's ultimate refusal. This moment highlights God's justice, giving a rightful warning and opportunity before delivering judgment. It reveals that Yahweh does not initiate war arbitrarily but justifies it through the resistance and iniquity of the targeted nations. Sihon's subsequent hardening of heart (Deut 2:30) and rejection of this offer provided the moral and legal grounds for Israel's military action, establishing a clear precedent for righteous warfare under God's command. This account ultimately points to God's consistent nature: offering peace before inevitable judgment, ensuring all avenues for peaceful resolution are extended.

• Practical usage example: Before addressing a conflict or disagreement, genuinely seek peace and understanding through communication, following the biblical pattern of pursuing reconciliation where possible (e.g., Matt 5:23-24).
• Practical usage example: When facing significant challenges, take measured and diplomatic steps first, seeking peaceful resolution and demonstrating good intent, trusting that God's plan will unfold even through unforeseen rejections.