Deuteronomy 2 37

Deuteronomy 2:37 kjv

Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not, nor unto any place of the river Jabbok, nor unto the cities in the mountains, nor unto whatsoever the LORD our God forbade us.

Deuteronomy 2:37 nkjv

Only you did not go near the land of the people of Ammon?anywhere along the River Jabbok, or to the cities of the mountains, or wherever the LORD our God had forbidden us.

Deuteronomy 2:37 niv

But in accordance with the command of the LORD our God, you did not encroach on any of the land of the Ammonites, neither the land along the course of the Jabbok nor that around the towns in the hills.

Deuteronomy 2:37 esv

Only to the land of the sons of Ammon you did not draw near, that is, to all the banks of the river Jabbok and the cities of the hill country, whatever the LORD our God had forbidden us.

Deuteronomy 2:37 nlt

However, we avoided the land of the Ammonites all along the Jabbok River and the towns in the hill country ? all the places the LORD our God had commanded us to leave alone.

Deuteronomy 2 verses

Deuteronomy 2 37 Meaning

Deuteronomy 2:37 records Israel's obedience to God's specific command not to engage in conquest against the Ammonites. After their permitted victory over Sihon, King of Heshbon, they deliberately bypassed the land of the children of Ammon, the vicinity of the River Jabbok, and cities in the Ammonite mountainous region. This restraint highlights divine boundaries and Israel's adherence to Yahweh's explicit instructions concerning which lands and peoples they were to avoid molesting during their initial advance into the Transjordan.

Deuteronomy 2 37 Context

Deuteronomy Chapter 2 recounts Israel's forty-year journey in the wilderness and their initial encounters as they begin to enter the Promised Land. Prior to the events of verse 37, the Israelites had journeyed around the territories of Edom and Moab, receiving explicit commands from God not to engage or provoke them because God had already given their lands to the descendants of Esau and Lot, respectively (Deut 2:4-9, 2:19). This establishes a pattern of divinely mandated boundaries for Israel's conquests. Immediately preceding verse 37, the narrative shifts to the successful and divinely sanctioned conquest of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who resided on the east side of the Jordan (Deut 2:26-36). This victory provided land for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. Verse 37 then serves as a crucial clarification, emphasizing that despite the recent success and authorization for conquest against the Amorites, there remained strict limits set by God. It highlights Israel's faithful obedience to God's precise and selective commands, distinguishing between enemies to be dispossessed and kinsmen nations (like Ammon, a descendant of Lot) whose land was to remain inviolate. This reinforces the unique nature of God's covenant with Israel, where even their warfare was regulated by divine instruction, not mere expansionist ambition.

Deuteronomy 2 37 Word analysis

• Only: This English word captures the Hebrew particle raq (רַק), which strongly signifies exception, exclusion, or limitation. It sets apart this specific area as the sole boundary not transgressed, highlighting the precision of Israel's obedience.
• unto the land of the children of Ammon:
  • 'eretz b'nei Ammon (אֶרֶץ בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן) means "land of the sons/children of Ammon." The term "children of Ammon" refers to the Ammonite nation, descended from Lot (Gen 19:38). Their land lay primarily east of the Jordan River.
  • Significance: God's command not to harm them showed His providential care even for nations outside His direct covenant with Israel, indicating that Yahweh's dominion extends over all peoples. It highlights divine sovereignty in apportioning lands to various nations.
• thou camest not:
  • lo' qaravta (לֹא קָרַבְתָּ) translates to "you (singular, referring to Israel collectively) did not approach/draw near."
  • This phrase directly affirms Israel's obedient adherence to the prior divine injunction (Deut 2:19). It wasn't that they couldn't conquer it, but that they chose not to in obedience.
• nor unto any place of the river Jabbok:
  • nachal Yabbok (נַחַל יַבֹּק) refers to the Jabbok River, a significant tributary flowing into the Jordan from the east, known for being a historical boundary (e.g., where Jacob wrestled, Gen 32:22-30). It marked the northern border of Ammonite territory, demonstrating a precise geographical delineation of the forbidden area.
• nor unto the cities in the mountains:
  • This specifies mountainous strongholds or settlements within or bordering the Ammonite region, which would have been natural points for military contention. Their inclusion emphasizes that the prohibition applied to all strategically important areas of Ammonite territory. It underscores the completeness of the prohibition.
• nor unto whatsoever the LORD our God forbade us:
  • asher tsivah YHWH Eloheinu lanu (אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ לָנוּ) means "whatsoever the LORD our God commanded us."
  • This is the ultimate rationale and justification for their non-aggression. It reiterates that Israel's actions were governed solely by divine decree, not by their own might or ambition.
  • "The LORD our God" (YHWH Eloheinu): Emphasizes the covenantal relationship that underpins these commands, reminding Israel of His authority over them and His specific instructions for their path and conduct. This phrase reinforces their unique identity as God's chosen people who obey His distinct laws.

Words-group Analysis

• "Only unto... forbade us": This complete statement emphasizes God's comprehensive and specific sovereignty. It wasn't a general "don't attack those people," but precise boundaries and reasons. This shows God's intricate control over human history and national boundaries, going against the pagan notion of tribal deities only powerful within their own borders. It also underlines the nature of Israel's conquest as a divinely regulated, limited act, rather than an unrestrained territorial expansion common in the ancient world.

Deuteronomy 2 37 Bonus section

• Theological Principle of Limited War/Conquest: This verse, alongside others concerning Edom and Moab, establishes a crucial theological principle that even divine authorization for conquest comes with explicit boundaries and moral limitations. It's not a carte blanche for unrestrained warfare. God determines not only who will be dispossessed but also who will be spared.
• Contrast with Pagan Deities: In the Ancient Near East, victories were often attributed to a nation's god empowering them to seize any land desired. Yahweh's specific prohibition demonstrates a radical departure, illustrating His universal sovereignty over all nations and His precise moral standards, even in warfare. He is not a tribal deity confined by borders but the God of all creation, setting boundaries for all peoples.
• Foreshadowing Future Obedience/Disobedience: This initial obedience regarding Ammon sets a benchmark. Later, Israel (or certain kings within Israel) would fail in obedience to other divine commands, such as Samuel's instruction to totally destroy Amalek (1 Sam 15). This contrast highlights the constant demand for perfect obedience.
• God's Patient Providence: The protection of Ammon and Moab shows God's patience and providence towards nations even before they are judged. Their subsequent judgment (Jer 49, Ezek 25, Amos 1) reflects later apostasy or aggression against Israel, demonstrating that while God protects initially, His long-suffering is not eternal, especially if those nations actively oppose His people.
• The Land as God's Gift: The land itself, even lands of other nations, belongs to the LORD (Ps 24:1). Israel did not "take" it; it was given by God, who exercises sovereign distribution according to His purposes (Acts 17:26). Their restraint here affirms God's ultimate ownership and dispensing power over the Earth.

Deuteronomy 2 37 Commentary

Deuteronomy 2:37 is a powerful testament to Israel's obedience and, more significantly, to the sovereign authority and character of God. Following their decisive, God-empowered victory over the Amorite King Sihon, Israel's immediate response was not to indiscriminately expand their territory. Instead, they meticulously adhered to pre-existing divine commands concerning the Ammonites. This specific restraint demonstrated that Israel's mission was not mere imperialistic conquest, but a holy war enacted by precise divine commission. God had a right to allocate lands to other nations, as He did with Ammon (descendants of Lot) and Edom (descendants of Esau), even as He gave the Amorite land to Israel due to their unrepentant sin. This act of disciplined obedience revealed Israel's faithful covenant relationship with Yahweh and set them apart from other ancient Near Eastern kingdoms. It taught Israel that true power lay not in conquering every perceivable foe, but in submitting to the explicit will of their Divine Commander, whose jurisdiction extends over all peoples and territories. This principle continues to resonate today, reminding believers that obedience to God's Word often involves disciplined self-restraint and respect for His wider providential plans, even when our perceived self-interest or capacity for gain might suggest otherwise.