Deuteronomy 2 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

  • Deuteronomy 2:1-37 open_in_new

    First Discourse (Deuteronomy 1:14 to Deuteronomy 4:43)

    The long sojourn in the wilderness is now drawing to a close. The Israelites are encamped in the Plains of Moab within sight of the Promised Land. Moses, feeling that his death is approaching, delivers his final charges to the people. In the first, he reviews briefly the history of Israel from Mt. Sinai to the Jordan, dwelling on the goodness of God, and making it the basis of an earnest appeal to the people to remember all that He has done for them, and to keep His commandments.

    Review of the Journey (continued)

    1. The Red sea] i.e. the Gulf of Akaba. On Mt. Seir see Numbers 20:22-29.

  • Deuteronomy 2:4 open_in_new

    Through the coast] RV 'through the border,' as in Numbers 20:18. The Edomites, however, refused to give them a passage through their country: see Numbers 20:14-21. The Israelites accordingly went southward towards Elath and Ezion-geber at the N. end of the Gulf of Akaba (see Deuteronomy 2:8 and on Numbers 20:22), and so round Edom to the country of the Moabites. 9. The Moabites and the Ammonites (Deuteronomy 2:19) were related to the Israelites, being descended from Lot, the nephew of Abraham (Genesis 19:37-38). The Edomites were descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob. Ar] the capital of Moab, lying on the river Arnon, which formed the northern border of the country (Numbers 21:15; Numbers 21:28).

    10-12. These vv. form an antiquarian parenthesis, like Deuteronomy 2:20 to Deuteronomy 23:10. The Emims (RV 'Emhn,' i.e. the 'terrible ones') and the Horims (RV 'Horites,' i.e. the 'cave-dwellers') are mentioned in Genesis 14:5; Genesis 14:6. The tribes E. of the Jordan seem to have been of great stature: see on Numbers 21:33 to Numbers 35:12. As Israel did] These words must have been written after the occupation of Canaan.

    13. On the Zered see Numbers 21:12.

    20. The Zamzummims (RV 'Zamzummim') are probably the same as the Zuzim in Genesis 14:5.

    23. The Avims (RV 'Avvim') dwelt in the SW. of Canaan, in the neighbourhood of Gaza, here called Azzah. Hazerim] RV 'in villages.' Caphtorims] the Philistines who came from Caphtor, usually identified with Cyprus or Crete: see Genesis 10:14; Amos 9:7; Jeremiah 47:4.