Journey Through Edom, Moab, Ammon
Deuteronomy 2:1-23
Deu.2.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ונפן: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,pl
- ונסע: VERB,qal,perf,1,-,pl
- המדברה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ים: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- סוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ונסב: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- שעיר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 13:17-18 (verbal): God leads Israel 'by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea' rather than the Philistine route — same motif/phrase of travelling by the Red Sea under Yahweh's direction.
- Numbers 21:4-5 (verbal): Narrative describes leaving Mount Hor 'by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom,' closely paralleling the route and the expressed purpose of compassing Seir/Edom.
- Deuteronomy 1:2 (verbal): Earlier Deuteronomic summary: the journey 'from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir unto Kadesh‑barnea' — same route language (דרך הר־שעיר) and geographical framework.
- 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 (thematic): Paul appeals to Israel's passage through the sea as a formative, covenantal event for the community — a theological use of the Exodus/Red Sea journey underlying Deut 2:1's travel motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then we turned and set out into the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea, as the LORD had commanded me; and we skirted Mount Seir many days.
- Then we turned and set out into the wilderness by the way of the Sea of Reeds, as the LORD had spoken to me; and we circled Mount Seir many days.
Deu.2.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Deut.1.6 (verbal): Same introductory formula in Moses' speeches — 'And the LORD said to me,' initiating divine instruction to Israel.
- Deut.2.3 (structural): Immediate continuation in the same pericope — the command that follows the formula 'And the LORD said to me' (verse 2) and directs Israel's movement.
- Exodus 3:4–10 (thematic): God speaks directly to Moses from the burning bush and commissions him to act — a parallel situation of divine address and directive to Israel's leader.
- Joshua 1:1–2 (thematic): After Moses' death God speaks to Joshua with instructions to move and take the land — a comparable instance of God issuing orders to Israel's human leader.
- 1 Samuel 3:10 (verbal): The prophetic call formula 'And the LORD said' addressed to Samuel — similar concise formula signaling direct divine speech and revelation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD spoke to me, saying:
- And the LORD said to me,
Deu.2.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- סב: VERB,qal,perf,2,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- פנו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- צפנה: ADV
Parallels
- Deut 2:2 (verbal): Immediate context — same episode and closely parallel wording about turning and taking up the journey (continues the command to change direction and proceed).
- Num 21:4 (thematic): Narrative of the wilderness route ‘by the way of the Red Sea’ and going around Edom — parallels Deut 2:3's instruction to turn and skirt the mountain/territory of Seir/Edom.
- Exod 14:2 (thematic): God's command to the Israelites to 'turn and encamp' at a specific location by the sea — similar imperative language directing a change of course and encampment.
- Deut 1:2 (structural): Geographical/route framing (distance and route via Mount Seir/Kadesh Barnea) — provides background to the same directional/route concerns reflected in Deut 2:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- “It is enough for you to have skirted this mountain; turn northward.”
- “It is enough for you—circle this mountain long enough; turn northward.”
Deu.2.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- צו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- עברים: PART,qal,ptc,3,m,pl
- בגבול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אחיכם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- הישבים: PART,qal,ptc,3,m,pl,def
- בשעיר: PREP+PN,m,sg
- וייראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- ונשמרתם: CONJ+VERB,nip,perf,2,m,pl
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- Numbers 20:14-21 (thematic): Moses' earlier request to pass through Edom’s territory and Edom's refusal—same diplomatic issue of passing through the land of Esau/Seir referenced in Deut 2:4.
- Numbers 21:21-24 (structural): Israel's request to pass through the land of Sihon and the subsequent refusal and conflict—parallel pattern of seeking passage through neighbor territory and the differing outcomes for Israel.
- Genesis 33:12-14 (allusion): Jacob's interaction with Esau concerning travel and dwelling in Seir—an earlier episode of the brothers negotiating movement through/near Esau's territory, thematically linked to Deut 2:4.
- Genesis 36:8 (verbal): Statement that Esau 'dwelt in mount Seir' (or 'was in Seir'), echoing Deut 2:4's identification of the people living in Seir and framing them as Israel's kin.
- Obadiah 1:10-14 (thematic): Oracle against Edom for violence against their brother Israel—reflects the long-term relationship and tensions between Israel and the inhabitants of Seir/Edom invoked by Deut 2:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- Command the people, saying, ‘You are passing through the territory of your brothers, the sons of Esau who dwell in Seir; they will be afraid of you—take great care for yourselves.’
- And command the people, saying, ‘You are passing along the border of your brothers, the sons of Esau who dwell in Seir; they will be afraid of you, so watch yourselves carefully.’
Deu.2.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אל: NEG
- תתגרו: VERB,hitp,impf,2,m,pl
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- אתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- מארצם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- עד: PREP
- מדרך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כף: NOUN,f,sg,construct
- רגל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- ירשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לעשו: PREP
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- שעיר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut.2.4-6 (structural): Immediate context: God instructs Israel not to harass the descendants of Esau and explains that Mount Seir is given to Esau, repeating the prohibition and its rationale.
- Deut.2.9 (verbal): Parallel instruction regarding another neighbor (the people of Lot/Moab): God forbids harassing them because their land has been allotted to their descendants, using the same rationale and formula.
- Deut.2.12 (allusion): Comments on the pre‑existence of the Horites in Seir and the succession of Esau there, echoing the claim that Seir belongs to Esau's line and thus is not for Israel to take.
- Genesis 36:8 (verbal): Genealogical/historical note: records that Esau 'dwelt in Mount Seir,' providing the ancestral/territorial background for Deut 2:5's statement that Seir was given to Esau.
- Numbers 20:14-21 (thematic): Narrative of Israel's request to pass through Edom and Edom's refusal; thematically related to Israel's dealings with Esau's descendants and the practical boundary between the peoples.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not contend with them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a foot’s breadth; for to Esau I have given Mount Seir for a possession.
- Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not so much as the sole of a foot; for I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession.
Deu.2.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תשברו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- מאתם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- בכסף: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואכלתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- וגם: CONJ
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- תכרו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- מאתם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- בכסף: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושתיתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 2:4–5 (verbal): Immediate pericope: the surrounding verses give the same instructions not to harass the Edomites and to buy food/water from them; closely connected wording and command context.
- Numbers 20:14–21 (structural): Narrative background: Moses' request to Edom for passage (and Edom's refusal) provides the historical setting for Deut 2:6’s instruction about buying provisions rather than engaging in conflict.
- Isaiah 55:1 (thematic): Uses the language of coming to ‘buy’ food and drink; contrasts divine offer of freely given sustenance with Israel’s practical instruction here to purchase food and water while passing through foreign territory.
- Genesis 25:29–34 (allusion): The motif of purchasing in relation to food: Esau sells his birthright for a meal—a thematic parallel emphasizing transactions motivated by food and immediate need, echoing the pragmatic buying in Deut 2:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall buy food from them for money, and you shall also buy water from them for money.
- You shall buy food from them for money, and you shall also buy water from them for money; you shall eat and you shall drink.
Deu.2.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- ברכך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg,obj2ms
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- ידע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לכתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss2ms
- את: PRT,acc
- המדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- הגדל: ADJ,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- ארבעים: NUM,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- לא: PART_NEG
- חסרת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 8:2-4 (verbal): Explicitly recalls the forty years in the wilderness, God’s testing/humbling of Israel, provision of manna, and that their clothing and feet did not wear out—closely echoing the themes and phrases of Deut. 2:7.
- Deuteronomy 29:5 (verbal): God reminds Israel that He led them forty years in the wilderness and their clothes did not wear out—another direct restatement of the forty-year wilderness provision and God’s sustaining presence.
- Exodus 16:35 (thematic): Reports that the Israelites ate manna for forty years until they entered a settled land, paralleling Deut. 2:7’s emphasis on God’s provision during the forty-year desert sojourn.
- Psalm 78:23-25 (thematic): The psalm recounts God’s provision of manna and bread from heaven in the wilderness—an expository retelling of the same sustained divine care described in Deut. 2:7.
- Joshua 1:5 (thematic): God’s promise 'I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you' echoes Deut. 2:7’s assertion that 'the Lord your God was with you,' underscoring divine presence and protection.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the LORD your God has blessed you in all that you have done; he has known your walking through this great wilderness these forty years—the LORD your God has been with you and you have lacked nothing.
- For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand; He knows your walking through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.
Deu.2.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ונעבר: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- מאת: PREP
- אחינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- הישבים: PART,qal,pres,pl,m,def
- בשעיר: PREP+PN,m,sg
- מדרך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- הערבה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מאילת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,prop
- ומעצין: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,prop
- גבר: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ונפן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ונעבר: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- מואב: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- Numbers 20:14-21 (thematic): Moses' request to pass through Edom and Edom's refusal—explains why Israel had to skirt Esau's territory and travel by the wilderness rather than through Seir/Edom.
- Numbers 21:4 (thematic): Describes Israel's journey 'by the way of the Red Sea' and circumambulation of Edom, paralleling the route-taking and avoidance of Esau's land in Deut 2:8.
- Genesis 36:8 (allusion): Background genealogy and settlement tradition: Esau and his descendants possess Mount Seir (Edom), providing the ancestral context for 'the children of Esau who dwell in Seir'.
- Deuteronomy 2:4-5 (structural): Immediate literary context: God commands Israel not to harass Esau because Mount Seir was given to him—directly explains the instruction and movement described in 2:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- So we passed by the territory of our brothers the sons of Esau who dwell in Seir; from the way of the Arabah—from Elath and from Ezion-Geber—we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.
- So we passed by from the border of our brethren the sons of Esau who live in Seir, from the Arabah, from Elath and from Ezion-geber; and we turned and went by the way of the wilderness of Moab.
Deu.2.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אל: NEG
- תצר: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מואב: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- תתגר: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,sg
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- מלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- אתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- מארצו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ירשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- לבני: PREP
- לוט: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ער: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ירשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut.2.4-5 (verbal): Nearly identical legal formula and instruction: do not harass/contend with the people because God has given their land to another (here Mount Seir to Esau). Same refrain and rationale.
- Deut.2.19 (verbal): Parallel wording applied to the Ammonites: the command not to harass them and the statement that their land will not be given to Israel because it was given to the descendants of Lot.
- Genesis 19:36-38 (allusion): Gives the origin of the Moabites and Ammonites as born from Lot's daughters; provides the genealogical background for Deut.2.9's claim that the land was given to 'the children of Lot.'
- Numbers 21:21-31 (thematic): Account of Israel's conquest of Sihon and capture of his territory — contrasts with Deut.2.9's prohibition against taking Moabite land and illustrates the pattern of God granting some lands to Israel and reserving others for different peoples.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said to me, ‘Do not harass Moab, nor contend with them in battle; for I will not give you any of their land, for I have given Ar as a possession to the descendants of Lot.’
- And the LORD said to me, ‘Do not distress the Moabites, nor contend with them in battle, for I will not give you any of their land as a possession; I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as a possession.’
Deu.2.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- האמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לפנים: PREP
- ישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- עם: PREP
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ורב: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- ורם: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- כענקים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 2:11 (structural): Immediate verbal and contextual continuation — explicitly identifies the Emim with the Rephaim and repeats their likeness to the Anakim.
- Deuteronomy 2:20–21 (verbal): Speaks of the same group/region (Zamzummim/Emim) being counted among the Rephaim and describes them as like the Anakim — closely parallel language and identification.
- Deuteronomy 1:28 (thematic): Report of Canaanite peoples as 'greater and taller' with fortified cities — parallels the theme of formidable, tall inhabitants that alarm Israel.
- Deuteronomy 9:2 (thematic): Refers to the Anakim as a 'people great and tall' whom Israel must dispossess — echoes the characterization of the Emim as comparable to Anakim.
- Numbers 13:28–33 (allusion): Spies’ description of the Anakim as giants and Israel as 'grasshoppers' reinforces the motif of towering peoples (Anakim) to which the Emim are compared.
Alternative generated candidates
- (The Emim formerly dwelt there—a people great and many, and tall as the Anakim.)
- The Emim formerly lived there—a people great and numerous, and tall as the Anakim.
Deu.2.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- רפאים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יחשבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- אף: ADV
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- כענקים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- והמאבים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- יקראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- אמים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 13:33 (verbal): Spies report seeing the Anakim as 'giants' and themselves as 'grasshoppers,' directly paralleling the identification of Anakim as mighty/giant people.
- Deuteronomy 2:20-21 (structural): Immediate context describing the Emim as a people great and many and equating them with the Rephaim—continuation and amplification of 2:11's identification.
- Deuteronomy 3:11 (quotation): States that Og king of Bashan was the last of the Rephaim and gives his enormous bed/couch as evidence—links Rephaim tradition to concrete 'giant' figures.
- Joshua 11:21-22 (thematic): Reports Israel's extermination of the Anakim from the hill country, reflecting the same tradition that Anakim were ancient giant inhabitants.
- 1 Chronicles 20:4-8 (allusion): Records David's warriors battling and killing 'giants' (descendants of Rapha/Rephaim) in Philistine territory, echoing the motif of a race of giant foes mentioned in Deut 2:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- They were also regarded as Rephaim; the Moabites called them Emim.
- They were regarded as Rephaim, like the Anakim; the Moabites called them Emim.
Deu.2.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ובשעיר: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- החרים: NOUN,prop,m,pl,def
- לפנים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- יירשום: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- וישמידום: CONJ+VERB,hiphil,impf,3,m,pl+PRON,3,m,pl
- מפניהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- תחתם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- כאשר: CONJ
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ירשתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Genesis 36:20-30 (verbal): Lists the Horite clans who lived in Seir — directly parallels Deut.2:12’s statement that the Horites formerly inhabited Seir before the descendants of Esau dispossessed them.
- Genesis 36:8 (thematic): States that Esau dwelt in Mount Seir (Edom). Connects with Deut.2:12’s identification of Seir as the territory taken over by Esau’s descendants.
- Deuteronomy 2:9 (structural): Immediate chapter parallel: earlier instruction about leaving the land of Esau/Seir and the account that Esau’s descendants occupy Seir — part of the same narrative explaining who previously held the land.
- Joshua 21:43-45 (thematic): Describes the LORD giving the land to Israel and their taking possession — parallels Deut.2:12’s comparison (‘as Israel did to the land which the LORD gave them’).
- Deuteronomy 7:1 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD bringing Israel into the land and dispossessing nations before them — thematically parallels the dispossession motif in Deut.2:12 (Edom dispossessing Horites; Israel dispossessing peoples in Canaan).
Alternative generated candidates
- As for Seir, the Horites formerly dwelt there, but the sons of Esau dispossessed and destroyed them from before them, and they dwelt in their place, as Israel did to the land of its possession which the LORD gave them.
- And the Horites formerly dwelt in Seir, but the sons of Esau dispossessed and destroyed them from before them, and they dwelt in their place, as Israel did to the land that the LORD gave them as an inheritance.
Deu.2.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- עתה: ADV
- קמו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- ועברו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- נחל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זרד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונעבר: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- נחל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זרד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 3:15-17 (verbal): Command to move and cross a boundary stream (the Jordan); like Deut 2:13, the community is told to arise and pass a river as a decisive act of advance into the next stage of journey/possession.
- Joshua 4:23-24 (thematic): Crossing a river functions as a theologically charged act that demonstrates Yahweh’s power and fulfils his purposes—paralleling the crossing of the Zered as part of Israel’s divinely guided movement.
- Exodus 14:15 (verbal): God’s command to Israel to 'go forward' through the sea echoes the same imperative to arise and advance across a watery obstacle in Deut 2:13 (both are movement commands in moments of transition).
- Deuteronomy 1:6-8 (structural): An earlier Deuteronomic instruction to set out and advance into the lands east of Horeb; structurally parallel as part of the book’s itinerary motif commanding Israel to rise up and proceed into the land.
- Numbers 21:12-13 (structural): Part of the wilderness itinerary that narrates Israel’s successive encampments and movements; parallels Deut 2:13 in recounting the same overall journey and the sequence of river crossings and marches.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then we rose up and crossed the brook Zered—so we crossed the brook Zered.
- Now arise, and cross the brook Zered.
Deu.2.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הלכנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- מקדש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברנע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עברנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- נחל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זרד: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שלשים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- ושמנה: NUM,card,sg
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- תם: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- הדור: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מקרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כאשר: CONJ
- נשבע: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Numbers 14:33-34 (quotation): God’s sentence that the people would wander forty years — one year for each day the spies scouted the land — is the judicial basis for the years of wandering cited in Deut 2:14.
- Numbers 32:13 (verbal): Uses very similar language about the LORD’s anger and making Israel wander forty years “until all the generation…was consumed,” closely paralleling Deut 2:14’s statement that the fighting men perished in the wilderness.
- Joshua 5:6 (verbal): Summarizes the wilderness period with almost the same wording: the children of Israel walked in the wilderness until all the men of war that came out of Egypt were consumed — a near verbal parallel to Deut 2:14.
- Deuteronomy 29:5 (thematic): Moses’ later restatement that Israel wandered forty years in the wilderness without lacking anything connects thematically to Deut 2:14’s retrospective dating of the wilderness period and its consequences for the generation of warriors.
Alternative generated candidates
- The days that we walked from the Desert of Paran until we crossed the brook Zered were thirty-eight years, until the whole generation of the men of war was consumed from the midst of the camp, as the LORD had sworn to them.
- The days that we walked from Kadesh-barnea until we crossed the brook Zered were thirty-eight years, until all the generation of the men of war were consumed from the camp, as the LORD had sworn to them.
Deu.2.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- להמם: VERB,hiph,inf
- מקרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- תמם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Numbers 11:1 (verbal): Describes the LORD's fiery judgment 'among the camp' that consumed people—language and setting closely parallel divine destruction 'from among the camp' in Deut 2:15.
- Numbers 16:31-35 (verbal): God's direct act of judgment (earth opening/fire from the LORD) that consumes rebels—parallels the motif of the LORD's hand bringing destruction on a group.
- 1 Samuel 5:6 (verbal): Speaks of 'the hand of the LORD' being heavy upon the Philistines and destroying them—uses the same 'hand of the LORD... to destroy' formula as in Deut 2:15.
- Exodus 32:27-28 (thematic): God commands judgment within the camp for sin (the Levites slay the guilty)—the theme of divine-sanctioned destruction 'in the camp' echoes Deut 2:15.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moreover, the hand of the LORD was against them to destroy them from the midst of the camp until they were consumed.
- Moreover, the hand of the LORD was against them to destroy them until they were consumed.
Deu.2.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- תמו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- למות: VERB,qal,inf
- מקרב: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Numbers 21:21-35 (verbal): Deuteronomy 2 retells the earlier episode in Numbers where Israel defeats Sihon and takes his land; both accounts describe the destruction of the enemy fighting force and Israel's seizure of territory.
- Joshua 12:2-6 (structural): Joshua’s summary list of kings defeated by Israel includes Sihon and Og and functions as a conquest summary parallel to Deut.2’s report that the warriors were slain and the land taken.
- Numbers 31:7-18 (thematic): The Israelite attack on Midian includes the killing of the fighting men and the taking of captives/spoils; thematically similar to the complete destruction of a people’s warriors mentioned in Deut.2:16.
- 1 Samuel 15:3 (thematic): God’s command to Saul to ‘utterly destroy’ Amalek (men, women, children, animals) echoes the theme of comprehensive military destruction — all fighting men being put to death — found in Deut.2:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass, when all the men of war had been consumed from among the people,
- And it came to pass, when all the men of war had been consumed from among the people,
Deu.2.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Exodus 20:1 (verbal): Uses the same introductory formula for divine speech—"And God spoke all these words, saying..."—marking a direct communication from YHWH to the leader (Moses) to deliver instruction/law.
- Numbers 27:12 (verbal): "And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying..." — a parallel verbal formula where God issues specific commands to Moses, mirroring the communicative pattern of Deut 2:17.
- Joshua 1:1–2 (structural): "And the LORD spoke to Joshua..." — the same structural pattern of YHWH addressing Israel's leader to commission and direct communal action, showing continuity in prophetic/leadership revelation.
- Amos 3:7 (thematic): "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets" — thematically linked: Deut's formula signals authoritative revelation from God to a prophetic/leadership figure.
Alternative generated candidates
- that the LORD spoke to me, saying:
- that the LORD spoke to me, saying,
Deu.2.18 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- עבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- גבול: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- מואב: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- את: PRT,acc
- ער: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- Deut.2.9 (structural): Immediate context: God commands Israel not to harass the Moabites and identifies Ar as belonging to the descendants of Lot — explains why Israel merely passed the Moabite border.
- Numbers 22:1 (thematic): Places Israel in the plains of Moab on the Jordan side of Jericho — situates the same locale where Israel reaches/passes the Moabite border (background for Balaam/Balak episode).
- Numbers 21:13-15 (structural): Narrates Israel's journey along the borders of Moab (passing the Arnon and moving in the vicinity of Moab), paralleling the travel-note in Deut 2:18 about crossing to Ar.
- Genesis 19:37-38 (allusion): Gives the origin of the Moabites and Ammonites from Lot's daughters — connects to Deut 2's treatment of Ar as a Moabite possession (territorial/ethnic background).
- Judges 11:17 (thematic): Jephthah's historical summary of Israel's passage by surrounding peoples (Edom, Moab, Ammon) when coming to Canaan — echoes the same movement past Moabite border described in Deut 2:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- “You have this day come opposite the border of Moab, Ar.
- “You are this day to pass over the border of Moab, Ar.
Deu.2.19 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וקרבת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- מול: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- עמון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- תצרם: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- תתגר: VERB,hitpael,impf,2,m,sg
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- אתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- עמון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ירשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- לבני: PREP
- לוט: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נתתיה: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ירשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 19:30–38 (allusion): Narrative origin of Moab and Ammon as the descendants of Lot’s daughters; explains the rationale behind giving their lands to 'the sons of Lot.'
- Deuteronomy 2:4–5 (verbal): Same command form and rationale applied to Edom/Seir—'do not contend with them… I have given Mount Seir to Esau'—parallel legal/ethical principle and wording.
- Deuteronomy 2:9 (verbal): Immediate Deuteronomic parallel concerning Moab: 'do not harass the people of Moab… I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot,' nearly identical rationale and phrasing.
- Deuteronomy 2:24–25 (thematic): Contrasting case where God instructs Israel to attack Sihon and promises to give his land to Israel; highlights exceptions (lands not given to Israel) exemplified in 2:19.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now when you come near the children of Ammon, do not harass them, nor contend with them in battle; for I will not give you any of the land of the children of Ammon, for I have given it to the descendants of Lot as a possession.”
- When you come near the children of Ammon, do not harass them, nor contend with them in battle; for I will not give you any of the land of the children of Ammon, for I have given it to the descendants of Lot as a possession.”
Deu.2.20 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רפאים: NOUN,m,pl,cst
- תחשב: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- אף: ADV
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- רפאים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- לפנים: ADV
- והעמנים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- יקראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- זמזמים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Deut.2.11 (verbal): Explicitly links the Emim to the Rephaim—same vocabulary and tradition that certain peoples were 'counted as Rephaim.'
- Deut.3.11 (verbal): Speaks of Og king of Bashan as a remnant of the Rephaim, continuing the identification of ancient peoples with the Rephaim/giants motif.
- Joshua 13:12 (verbal): States that only Og remained of the remnant of the Rephaim in Bashan (parallel tradition to Deut.2:20); also highlights giant-size imagery (Og’s bed/crib in other texts).
- Numbers 13:33 (thematic): The spies report seeing the Nephilim/Anakim and describe themselves as 'grasshoppers'—a thematic parallel about legendary giant inhabitants of the land related to the Rephaim tradition.
- Genesis 14:5 (verbal): Mentions the Rephaim (e.g., 'the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim'), showing the term's use early in patriarchal tradition to denote ancient, mighty/giant peoples.
Alternative generated candidates
- (That land was regarded as the land of Rephaim; Rephaim formerly dwelt there, but the Ammonites called them Zamzummim.)
- That country is also counted a land of Rephaim; Rephaim formerly lived there, and the Ammonites call them Zamzummim.
Deu.2.21 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- עם: PREP
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ורב: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- ורם: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- כענקים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וישמידם: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מפניהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,mp
- ויירשם: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- תחתם: PREP+PRON,3,mp
Parallels
- Numbers 13:28-33 (verbal): The spies report the land's inhabitants as Anakim/giants and describe Israelites' fear (’we seemed like grasshoppers’), paralleling Deut.2:21’s reference to a great, tall people (Anakim) and the theme of confronting/overcoming them.
- Deuteronomy 9:2 (thematic): Explicitly identifies the Anakim as a ‘great and tall’ people whom Israel has heard about—echoing Deut.2:21’s characterization of the giants and the challenge they posed.
- Joshua 11:21-22 (structural): Records Joshua’s destruction of the Anakim in the hill country, leaving only remnants in a few Philistine cities—paralleling Deut.2:21’s report that the LORD destroyed the tall people and Israel succeeded them.
- Genesis 6:4 (allusion): Mentions the Nephilim, ‘mighty men of old,’ a tradition often linked to the Anakim/giants; provides a broader ancient Near Eastern background for the giant motif found in Deut.2:21.
- Judges 1:20 (thematic): Says Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak from Hebron, reflecting the recurrent biblical theme of Israel displacing the Anakim/giants described in Deut.2:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- A people great and many, and tall as the Anakim—whom the LORD destroyed from before them, and they dispossessed them and dwelt in their place.
- A people great and many and tall as the Anakim—whom the LORD destroyed before them, and they dispossessed them and dwelt in their place.
Deu.2.22 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כאשר: CONJ
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לבני: PREP
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- הישבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- בשעיר: PREP+PN,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- השמיד: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- החרי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מפניהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ויירשם: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- תחתם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.2.12 (structural): Immediate parallel in the same chapter: repeats that the Horites lived in Seir and were destroyed/expelled by the descendants of Esau, providing the same historical claim and wording.
- Gen.36:8 (verbal): Genesis account describing how the inhabitants of Seir/Horites ‘sold their possessions to the sons of Esau’ and were driven out so Esau’s descendants dwelt in their place—verbal and narrative parallel about dispossession and occupation of Seir.
- 1 Chr.1:36 (thematic): Chronicles’ genealogy echoes Genesis 36 by listing the Horite clans of Seir; provides a parallel tradition that relates the inhabitants of Seir and the establishment of Esau’s descendants there.
- Ezek.35:15 (thematic): Prophetic oracle against Mount Seir/Edom invokes the long-standing possession of Seir by Esau’s descendants and announces judgment—thematically connected to the historical note of Esau’s occupation of Seir and its consequences.
Alternative generated candidates
- As he did for the sons of Esau who dwell in Seir, who destroyed the Horites from before them and dispossessed them and dwelt in their place to this day.
- As He did for the sons of Esau who dwell in Seir, when He destroyed the Horites from before them and they dispossessed and dwelt in their place—so to this day.
Deu.2.23 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והעוים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- הישבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- בחצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עד: PREP
- עזה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כפתרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- היצאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מכפתור: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמידם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- תחתם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Amos 9:7 (verbal): Explicitly states the Philistines (Philistia) came from Caphtor — affirms Deut 2:23’s claim about the Caphtorim as originators of the Philistine settlement.
- Genesis 10:14 (verbal): In the Table of Nations lists the Casluhim/Caphtorim and links the Philistines to these peoples — a genealogical parallel to Deut 2:23’s note on Caphtorim.
- 1 Chronicles 1:12 (verbal): Chronicles repeats the Genesis genealogy (including Caphtorim), echoing the tradition that connects Caphtor with peoples who later occupy Philistine territory.
- Judges 1:18 (thematic): Mentions Gaza and other Philistine cities being in the land — thematically connects to Deut 2:23’s reference to settlements as far as Gaza and the Philistine presence there.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Avvim who dwelt in villages as far as Gaza—the Caphtorim who came forth from Caphtor destroyed them and dwelt in their place.
- And the Avvim who dwelt in villages as far as Gaza—the Caphtorim who came out of Caphtor destroyed them and dwelt in their place.
Then we turned and marched into the wilderness by the Way of the Red Sea, as the LORD had spoken to me, and we circled Mount Seir many days. And the LORD spoke to me, saying,
“You have circled this hill long enough; now turn yourselves northward.
Command the people, saying: You are to pass along the border of your brothers, the children of Esau who dwell in Seir; they will be afraid of you—so be very careful.
Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not so much as the sole of a foot; for I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession.
You shall buy food from them with money that you may eat, and you shall also buy water from them with money that you may drink.
For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand; he has known your walk through this great wilderness these forty years—the LORD your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing. So we passed by from the border of our brothers the children of Esau who dwell in Seir, away from the Arabah from Elath and from Ezion-geber, and we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab. And the LORD said to me, “Do not harass Moab and do not contend with them in battle, for I will not give you any of their land as a possession; I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as a possession.”
The Emim formerly dwelt there—a great and many people, and tall as the Anakim.
They were regarded as Rephaim—also they were considered as giants; the Moabites called them Emim. And the Horites formerly dwelt in Seir, but the children of Esau dispossessed and destroyed them from before them and dwelt in their place, as Israel did in the land which the LORD gave to them for a possession. Now rise up and cross the brook Zered; so we crossed the brook Zered.
The days in which we journeyed from Kadesh-barnea until we crossed the brook Zered were thirty-eight years, until the entire generation of warriors was consumed from the camp, as the LORD had sworn to them.
Moreover the hand of the LORD was upon them to cut them off from the camp until they were finished. And it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed from among the people,
that the LORD spoke to me, saying,
“You shall pass today across the border of Moab—to Ar.
When you approach the children of Ammon, do not harass them or contend with them in battle, for I will not give you any of the land of the children of Ammon as a possession; I have given it to the descendants of Lot.”
That land is reckoned land of the Rephaim; Rephaim formerly dwelt there, but the Ammonites call them Zamzummim.
A people great and many, and tall as the Anakim—whom the LORD destroyed from before them, and they dispossessed them and dwelt in their place.
Just as he did to the children of Esau who dwell in Seir, when he destroyed the Horites from before them and they dispossessed them and dwelt in their place to this day. And the Avvim who lived in villages as far as Gaza—the Caphtorim who came out of Caphtor destroyed them and dwelt in their place.