Deuteronomy 2 31

Deuteronomy 2:31 kjv

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.

Deuteronomy 2:31 nkjv

"And the LORD said to me, 'See, I have begun to give Sihon and his land over to you. Begin to possess it, that you may inherit his land.'

Deuteronomy 2:31 niv

The LORD said to me, "See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his country over to you. Now begin to conquer and possess his land."

Deuteronomy 2:31 esv

And the LORD said to me, 'Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land over to you. Begin to take possession, that you may occupy his land.'

Deuteronomy 2:31 nlt

"Then the LORD said to me, 'Look, I have begun to hand King Sihon and his land over to you. Begin now to conquer and occupy his land.'

Deuteronomy 2 verses

Deuteronomy 2 31 Meaning

Deuteronomy 2:31 signifies a pivotal moment in Israel's journey: God's explicit declaration and command to Moses regarding the conquest of Sihon, king of the Amorites. It reveals the Lord's initiative and power, assuring Israel that He has already begun the process of handing over the land. This divine action then becomes the basis for Israel's commanded responsibility to "begin to possess," ensuring they will indeed inherit the land promised by God. The verse underscores divine sovereignty preceding and enabling human obedience and action in the acquisition of their inheritance.

Deuteronomy 2 31 Context

Deuteronomy, meaning "second law," presents Moses' final speeches to the generation poised to enter the Promised Land. This generation was born in the wilderness and needed to be reminded of God's covenant, their history, and the laws before crossing the Jordan. Deuteronomy chapter 2 recounts Israel's long wandering through the wilderness, specifically highlighting how the Lord guided them past the territories of Edom, Moab, and Ammon without conflict because these lands were specifically allotted by God to their descendants (Deut 2:4-19). This establishes God's absolute sovereignty over land distribution.

Verse 31 marks a crucial turning point. Having honored God's previous commands not to attack their relatives, Israel now approaches the land of Sihon, King of Heshbon, an Amorite. Unlike the previous nations, the Amorites were specifically designated for Israel's conquest and dispossession, part of the covenant promise given to Abraham. God, therefore, shifts from commanding restraint to initiating conflict, ensuring His people understand that this victory, like all others, begins with Him.

Historically, the Amorites were a powerful Semitic people in the Ancient Near East. Their presence in the land before Israel's arrival established them as targets for Israel's dispossessing. This narrative, therefore, stands as a polemic against the strength or authority of local deities or human kings. It affirms Yahweh's unparalleled power to give and take land, subduing even mighty kingdoms like Sihon's, challenging any notion that Israel conquered by its own might or strategy.

Deuteronomy 2 31 Word analysis

• And the LORD:
  • And (וְ - ve): Connects to the preceding narrative, showing a continuity in God's guidance and action.
  • the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The personal covenant name of God, revealing His active, faithful presence in the affairs of Israel. This signifies not just a deity, but the specific, relational God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who is committed to His promises.
• said unto me:
  • Refers to Moses. Highlights Moses' direct communication with God, affirming his leadership and the divine authority behind his instructions to Israel. This is a divine mandate, not a human strategy.
• Behold (הִנֵּה - hinneh):
  • An interjection drawing immediate attention. It signifies that what follows is important, a direct divine declaration calling for focus and readiness. It often introduces a significant event or revelation.
• I have begun (הַחִלֹּתִי - hakhilloti):
  • From the root ḥālal, meaning "to begin" or "to desecrate/profane" in other contexts, but here it specifically means to commence or start. The Piel stem (hiphil here implies causation, "cause to begin") used suggests active initiation. This emphasizes God's pre-emptive, sovereign act. He isn't reacting to Israel, but setting the stage, taking the first step in the conquest.
• to give (נָתַתִּי - nātattî):
  • From nātan, meaning "to give," "to put," "to place," "to grant." The perfect tense implies a completed action in God's eyes, a divine certainty. The land is not merely there to be taken, but it is divinely granted. This underscores that the land is an inheritance, a gift, not solely a prize won by human effort.
• Sihon and his land:
  • Sihon: King of the Amorites who ruled from Heshbon. He was a powerful and formidable foe, and his defeat marked the first significant conquest east of the Jordan. Naming him specifically underlines the divine precision of God's plan.
  • his land: Refers to his dominion, territory, and all its resources. This makes it clear that the entire region ruled by Sihon is Israel's destined inheritance.
• before thee:
  • Signifies a public presentation, a readiness, and accessibility. The enemy and the land are laid out for Moses (and thus Israel) to take. It implies a divinely cleared path, removing obstacles for the initial push.
• begin to possess (הַחֵל רָשׁ - haḥel rāsh):
  • begin (הַחֵל - haḥel): Imperative of the same root ḥālal. A command to Israel (through Moses) to initiate the human action. It echoes "I have begun," creating a parallelism: God began, now Israel must begin.
  • to possess (לְרֶשֶׁת - lᵉrêshet): From yārash, meaning "to take possession of," "to inherit," "to dispossess," "to occupy." It denotes acquiring an estate, often by driving out previous occupants. This word highlights both the act of taking and the right to inherit.
• that thou mayest inherit his land:
  • that thou mayest (לְרֶשֶׁת - lᵉrêshet): Purpose clause. The possession is for the explicit goal of inheritance.
  • inherit (יָרַשׁ - yārash): The repeated concept emphasizes the established right given by God. It is not mere conquest, but claiming what is divinely promised and bestowed.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee": This initial clause emphasizes divine initiative and sovereignty. God is the one actively bringing about the conditions for Israel's success. "I have begun" signifies an unshakeable divine purpose that is already in motion, ensuring the outcome before the human agents even act. "Before thee" denotes God preparing the way, making the task humanly feasible.
• "begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land": This is God's command to Israel (through Moses) and clarifies the purpose of their action. It underscores human responsibility in partnership with divine provision. While God has set the stage and guaranteed the victory, Israel is still required to act, to "begin to possess." This act of possessing actualizes the inheritance already decreed and initiated by God. The phrase links the immediate command to act with the ultimate goal of receiving the full inheritance.

Deuteronomy 2 31 Bonus section

The phrase "I have begun" (הַחִלֹּתִי - hakhilloti) used by God carries significant theological weight. It denotes that the victory is, in essence, already achieved in God's divine plan. For Israel, this served as immense encouragement; they were not fighting to see if they could win, but fighting because God had already guaranteed their victory and simply required their participation. This pre-emptive divine action also meant that any success was unequivocally God's glory, not Israel's. The conquest of Sihon becomes a model for subsequent battles; God goes before them (Deut 2:25), inspires dread in the enemies, and effectively delivers them over.

This principle extends to the New Testament where believers are said to "inherit" the kingdom of God or spiritual blessings, not through their own merit, but through Christ's completed work (e.g., Eph 1:11). Yet, there is still an imperative to "take hold" or "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Tim 6:12), signifying human effort in response to divine enablement, akin to Israel needing to "begin to possess" what was already given.

Deuteronomy 2 31 Commentary

Deuteronomy 2:31 succinctly captures the divine-human dynamic central to the biblical narrative of conquest and inheritance. It starts with God's declarative "I have begun," highlighting His absolute sovereignty and initiative. Before Israel could even raise a sword, the Lord had already "given" Sihon and his land "before thee," setting the stage for their victory. This underscores that Israel's triumph was not primarily a result of their military prowess or strategic genius, but a divine decree and an enabled outcome. It corrects any potential human boasting by asserting God's preeminence.

However, God's divine beginning does not negate human responsibility. The Lord commands Israel, through Moses, to "begin to possess." This isn't passive reception but active engagement, requiring faith-filled obedience. Israel was to physically advance, to fight, and to drive out the inhabitants. Their action was a response to God's prior grace and promise, essential for the actualization of the inheritance. This teaches a timeless principle: God provides and initiates, but He often calls His people to partner with Him through active faith and obedience to claim what He has already prepared and promised. The purpose is clear: "that thou mayest inherit his land," emphasizing the fulfillment of God's covenant promise of the land as an inheritance for His chosen people. The land's transfer was not merely a conquest, but the rightful receiving of a gift from the Divine Giver.