Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
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Commentary for Deuteronomy 2:26
Deuteronomy 2:26 is part of the narrative where Moses recounts the Israelites' journey through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. The historical context of this verse is set during the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, as they are nearing the end of their 40-year wandering in the desert.
**Themes:**
1. **Diplomacy and Peaceful Intent:** The verse reflects the theme of diplomacy as Moses sends messengers to Sihon, the king of Heshbon, with an offer of peace. This demonstrates the Israelite leader's attempt to avoid conflict and negotiate passage through the land.
2. **Divine Right and Providence:** The Israelites' journey is guided by God, and their actions are often portrayed as being in accordance with divine will. The sending of messengers is part of the larger narrative of God's promise to deliver the land of Canaan to the Israelites.
3. **Right of Passage:** The request made to Sihon for safe passage is a common motif in the ancient world, where travelers and armies sought permission to cross through foreign territories. This reflects the social and political norms of the time regarding territorial sovereignty and international relations.
**Historical Context:**
- **The Exodus:** The Israelites, led by Moses, are in the process of transitioning from a group of escaped slaves to a nation with their own land, as promised by God.
- **The Transjordan:** The events described in Deuteronomy 2:26 take place in the Transjordan region, east of the Jordan River. This area was inhabited by various nations and kings, including Sihon and his Amorite kingdom.
- **Conquest and Settlement:** The Israelites' interactions with the local kings, such as Sihon, are part of the larger narrative of conquest and settlement of the Promised Land. The outcomes of these interactions often serve to illustrate the power of God in fulfilling His promises to Israel.
In summary, Deuteronomy 2:26 encapsulates the themes of peaceful negotiation, divine guidance, and the right of passage within the historical context of the Israelites' journey toward the Promised Land, highlighting their interactions with the indigenous peoples and kingdoms of the Transjordan region.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: H7971 There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: שָׁלַח Transliteration: shâlach Pronunciation: shaw-lakh' Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).
Strong's Number: H4397 There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מֲלְאָךְ Transliteration: mălʼâk Pronunciation: mal-awk' Description: from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher); ambassador, angel, king, messenger.
Strong's Number: H4057 There are 257 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מִדְבָּר Transliteration: midbâr Pronunciation: mid-bawr' Description: from דָבַר in the sense of driving; a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs); desert, south, speech, wilderness.
Strong's Number: H6932 There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: קְדֵמוֹת Transliteration: Qᵉdêmôwth Pronunciation: ked-ay-mothe' Description: from קָדַם; beginnings; Kedemoth, a place in eastern Palestine; Kedemoth.
Strong's Number: H5511 There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: סִיחוֹן Transliteration: Çîychôwn Pronunciation: see-khone' Description: or סִיחֹן; from the same as סוּחַ; tempestuous; Sichon, an Amoritish king; Sihon.
Strong's Number: H4428 There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מֶלֶךְ Transliteration: melek Pronunciation: meh'-lek Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.
Strong's Number: H2809 There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: חֶשְׁבּוֹן Transliteration: Cheshbôwn Pronunciation: khesh-bone' Description: the same as חֶשְׁבּוֹן; Cheshbon, a place East of the Jordan; Heshbon.
Strong's Number: H1697 There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: דָּבָר Transliteration: dâbâr Pronunciation: daw-baw' Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
Strong's Number: H7965 There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: שָׁלוֹם Transliteration: shâlôwm Pronunciation: shaw-lome' Description: or שָׁלֹם; from שָׁלַם; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace; [idiom] do, familiar, [idiom] fare, favour, [phrase] friend, [idiom] great, (good) health, ([idiom] perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, ([idiom] all is, be) well, [idiom] wholly.
Strong's Number: H559 There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אָמַר Transliteration: ʼâmar Pronunciation: aw-mar' Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.