Deuteronomy 2:23

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, [even] unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)

Complete Jewish Bible:

It was the same with the 'Avim, who lived in villages as far away as 'Azah -the Kaftorim, coming from Kaftor, destroyed them and settled in their place.)

Berean Standard Bible:

And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, were destroyed by the Caphtorites, who came out of Caphtor and settled in their place.)

American Standard Version:

And the Avvim, that dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, that came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the Avims^{H5761} which dwelt^{H3427} in Hazerim^{H2699}, even unto Azzah^{H5804}, the Caphtorims^{H3732}, which came forth^{H3318} out of Caphtor^{H3731}, destroyed^{H8045} them, and dwelt^{H3427} in their stead.)

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 2:23

Deuteronomy 2:23 is part of a larger section in the book where Moses recounts the journeys and interactions of the Israelites with various nations as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This particular verse describes the displacement of the Avims, who lived in Hazerim (a region possibly south of the land of Canaan) by the Caphtorims. The Caphtorims are understood to be a group related to the Philistines, who are said to have originated from the island of Crete (Caphtor).

The theme of this verse is part of the broader motif found in Deuteronomy concerning the sovereignty of God over nations and the fulfillment of His promises. It illustrates the historical reality that the land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, was already a complex patchwork of peoples and territories. The mention of the Caphtorims destroying the Avims and taking their place underscores the transient nature of human control over territory and the fulfillment of divine prophecy regarding the inhabitants of the land.

In the historical context, this verse serves to remind the Israelites (and thus the readers of Deuteronomy) that their possession of the land would not be based on their own strength or merit but on God's divine plan. It also sets the stage for understanding the challenges they would face from the various nations already occupying the land, including those like the Philistines, who would become significant adversaries in the books of Judges and Samuel. The narrative emphasizes God's authority in determining the fate of nations and the importance of the Israelites' obedience to God's laws as they enter and live in the land He has given them.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5761
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַוִּים
   Transliteration: ʻAvvîym
   Pronunciation: av-veem'
   Description: plural of עַוִּי; Avvim (as inhabited by Avvites), a place in Palestine (with the article prefix); Avim.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3427
   There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָשַׁב
   Transliteration: yâshab
   Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2699
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֲצֵרִים
   Transliteration: Chătsêrîym
   Pronunciation: khats-ay-reem'
   Description: plural masculine of חָצֵר; yards; Chatserim, a place in Palestine; Hazerim.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5804
   There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַזָּה
   Transliteration: ʻAzzâh
   Pronunciation: az-zaw'
   Description: feminine of עַז; strong; Azzah, a place in Palestine; Azzah, Gaza.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3732
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כַּפְתֹּרִי
   Transliteration: Kaphtôrîy
   Pronunciation: kaf-to-ree'
   Description: patrial from כַּפְתֹּר; a Caphtorite (collectively) or native of Caphtor; Caphthorim, Caphtorim(-s).
   
6. Strong's Number: H3318
   There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצָא
   Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3731
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כַּפְתֹּר
   Transliteration: Kaphtôr
   Pronunciation: kaf-tore'
   Description: or (Amos 9:7) כַּפְתּוֹר; apparently the same as כַּפְתֹּר; Caphtor (i.e. a wreath-shaped island), the original seat of the Philistines; Caphtor.
   
8. Strong's Number: H8045
   There are 86 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַד
   Transliteration: shâmad
   Pronunciation: shaw-mad'
   Description: a primitive root; to desolate; destory(-uction), bring to nought, overthrow, perish, pluck down, [idiom] utterly.