Deuteronomy 2:19

KJV

And [when] thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon [any] possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot [for] a possession.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when thou comest nigh {H7126} over against {H4136} the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983}, distress {H6696} them not, nor meddle {H1624} with them: for I will not give {H5414} thee of the land {H776} of the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983} any possession {H3425}; because I have given {H5414} it unto the children {H1121} of Lot {H3876} for a possession {H3425}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When you approach the descendants of 'Amon, don't bother them or fight with them, for I will not give you any of the territory of the people of 'Amon to possess, since I have given it to the descendants of Lot as their territory.'"

Berean Standard Bible

But when you get close to the Ammonites, do not harass them or provoke them, for I will not give you any of the land of the Ammonites. I have given it to the descendants of Lot as their possession.”

American Standard Version

and when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, vex them not, nor contend with them; for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon for a possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 2:19 records a specific divine command to the Israelites, instructing them not to engage in hostile actions against the Ammonites as they approached their territory. This directive underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and His pre-established boundaries for their respective lands, demonstrating that His providential plan extended beyond Israel to encompass the inheritances of other peoples, specifically the descendants of Lot.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Moses's recounting of Israel's wilderness journey and God's specific instructions for their interaction with the peoples surrounding the Promised Land. Prior to this, God had explicitly commanded Israel not to provoke or engage the Edomites (descendants of Esau) in [Deuteronomy 2:4-6](/deuteronomy/2-4 "Deuteronomy 2:4-6 - God's Command Regarding Edom") and similarly with the Moabites in [Deuteronomy 2:9](/deuteronomy/2-9 "Deuteronomy 2:9 - God's Command Regarding Moab"). Deuteronomy 2:19 extends this principle of non-aggression to the Ammonites, who, like the Moabites, were descendants of Lot. This sequence of commands highlights God's meticulous guidance of Israel's conquest, emphasizing that their actions were to be precisely aligned with His divine will, not driven by human ambition or indiscriminate aggression. The narrative flow stresses God's control over the pace and scope of Israel's territorial acquisition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites were nearing the end of their forty years of wilderness wandering, preparing to enter Canaan. The Ammonites, along with the Moabites, occupied territories east of the Jordan River. Both nations traced their lineage back to Lot, Abraham's nephew, through incestuous unions (as detailed in [Genesis 19:37-38](/genesis/19-37 "Genesis 19:37-38 - Origin of Moab and Ammon")). In the ancient Near East, land ownership was often seen as divinely granted, and this verse powerfully affirms that perspective from Yahweh's viewpoint. God, as the ultimate sovereign, had already allotted specific territories to these nations as their perpetual "possession" long before Israel's arrival. This command served to prevent unnecessary conflict and to demonstrate that Israel's conquest was not a land-grab but a divinely orchestrated fulfillment of a specific covenant promise, respecting existing divine allocations.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 2:19 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Deuteronomy and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty over All Nations**. God is not merely the God of Israel, but the ultimate ruler who determines the "boundaries of their habitation" for all peoples, as affirmed in [Acts 17:26](/acts/17-26 "Acts 17:26 - God Appoints Boundaries for Nations"). Secondly, it highlights the principle of **Respect for Other Nations' Divinely Appointed Inheritance**. Despite Israel being God's chosen people with a promised land, they were commanded to honor the existing territorial grants God had given to others. This teaches a nuanced approach to conquest, demonstrating that God's justice and order extend universally. Lastly, the verse emphasizes **Obedience to God's Specific Commands**. Israel's success and blessing were contingent upon their strict adherence to God's detailed instructions, even when those instructions seemed to limit their expansion or challenge their natural inclinations for conquest. This reiterates the importance of discerning and submitting to God's precise will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Distress (Hebrew, _tsarar'_):** From the root צָרַר (tsarar), meaning "to bind," "to be narrow," "to cause distress," "to vex," or "to oppress." In this context, it signifies any action that would cause hardship, trouble, or hostility to the Ammonites, such as attacking their cities, seizing their resources, or restricting their movement. It implies an active form of aggression or oppression.
* **Meddle (Hebrew, _garah'_)::** From the root גָּרָה (garah), meaning "to stir up," "to contend," "to strive," or "to provoke." This term forbids initiating conflict, challenging their authority, or engaging in any form of hostile engagement that would lead to war. It speaks to the avoidance of provocation.
* **Possession (Hebrew, _morashah'_):** From the root מוֹרָשָׁה (morashah), meaning "inheritance," "possession," or "heritage." This word emphasizes a permanent, divinely-granted right to the land. By using this term, God underscores that the Ammonites' claim to their territory was as legitimate and divinely sanctioned as Israel's claim to Canaan, establishing a clear and unassailable boundary.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [when] thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon":** This clause sets the geographical and temporal context, indicating Israel's approach to the Ammonite territory, which lay to the east of the Jordan River. It signifies a moment of potential confrontation or interaction.
* **"distress them not, nor meddle with them":** This is the direct, imperative command from God to Israel. It issues a dual prohibition against any form of hostile action, whether it be direct oppression ("distress") or provoking conflict ("meddle"). This command is absolute and leaves no room for aggressive maneuvers.
* **"for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon [any] possession":** This provides the immediate divine rationale for the prohibition. God explicitly states that the Ammonite land is not part of Israel's promised inheritance. This clarifies that Israel's conquest was not open-ended but strictly confined to the land God had designated for them.
* **"because I have given it unto the children of Lot [for] a possession":** This is the ultimate theological justification. God, as the sovereign allocator of all lands, had already granted this territory to the descendants of Lot (specifically, the Ammonites, as mentioned in [Genesis 19:38](/genesis/19-38 "Genesis 19:38 - Origin of the Ammonites")). This demonstrates God's universal governance and His respect for the established boundaries of other nations, even those not directly in covenant with Him.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 2:19 employs several effective literary devices to convey its divine message. The primary device is **Divine Command**, expressed through direct imperatives ("distress them not, nor meddle with them"), which emphasizes the absolute authority and clarity of God's instructions to Israel. This command is immediately followed by a **Rationale** or **Justification**, introduced by "for" and "because," providing the theological basis for the prohibition. This structure highlights God's reasoned and just governance, showing that His commands are not arbitrary but rooted in His sovereign distribution of the earth. The repetition of the word "**possession**" (מוֹרָשָׁה, _morashah_) underscores the permanence and divine legitimacy of the Ammonites' land grant, creating a sense of **Emphasis** and reinforcing the idea that God's allocations are fixed and to be respected. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Contrast** drawn between Israel's divinely promised land and the divinely allotted land of the Ammonites, clarifying the specific boundaries of Israel's inheritance and the limited scope of their holy war.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 2:19 offers profound theological insights into God's character and His relationship with all humanity. It powerfully asserts God's universal sovereignty, demonstrating that His authority extends far beyond the nation of Israel to encompass all peoples and their territories. This passage reveals a God who is not a tribal deity but the ultimate arbiter of national boundaries and inheritances, establishing order and justice across the globe. It teaches that even as God works out His redemptive plan through a chosen people, He maintains a just and providential oversight of all nations, respecting the dignity and established rights of others. This theological principle challenges any notion of an exclusive or ethnocentric God, presenting instead a God whose righteous rule is global in scope, laying a foundation for a broader understanding of His redemptive purposes for all humanity.

* [Genesis 19:37-38](/genesis/19-37 "Genesis 19:37-38 - Origin of Moab and Ammon")
* [Acts 17:26](/acts/17-26 "Acts 17:26 - God Appoints Boundaries for Nations")
* [Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 2:19 provides timeless wisdom for believers today, reminding us that God's sovereignty extends over all aspects of life, including our relationships with others and our understanding of boundaries. Just as Israel was called to trust God's specific instructions, even when they seemed to limit their expansion or challenge their natural inclinations, we too are called to trust His perfect plan and timing for our lives. This means discerning and adhering to the boundaries God sets for us, whether in our personal ambitions, professional pursuits, or interpersonal interactions. The command to respect the Ammonites' possession encourages a posture of humility and non-aggression, fostering peaceful coexistence and discouraging unnecessary conflict or covetousness. It challenges us to respect the rights, possessions, and even the "territories" of others, whether they are individuals, communities, or nations, recognizing that God is the ultimate Giver and Allocator. Ultimately, this passage calls us to align our will with God's universal rule, recognizing that His justice and order apply to all, shaping history and the destiny of peoples.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty over all nations (not just Israel) impact our view of global events and international relations?**
* **In what ways might we, like Israel, be tempted to "meddle" or "distress" others when God has set clear boundaries for our actions or ambitions?**
* **How does this passage encourage us to trust God's specific instructions for our lives, even when they seem to limit our perceived opportunities or desires?**
* **What practical steps can we take to cultivate a spirit of respect for others' "possessions" or boundaries, even when they differ from our own?**

### FAQ
**Why did God command Israel not to fight the Ammonites, but later allowed them to fight other nations like the Amorites?**

Answer: God's commands were highly specific and contextual, reflecting His sovereign discretion and righteous judgment. The prohibition against fighting the Ammonites (and Edomites, Moabites) stemmed from their familial relationship to Israel (descendants of Lot and Esau) and, crucially, because God had already divinely allotted their land to them as a permanent "possession." This land was explicitly *not* part of Israel's promised inheritance. In contrast, other nations, such as the Amorites led by King Sihon and King Og (e.g., [Deuteronomy 2:26-37](/deuteronomy/2-26 "Deuteronomy 2:26-37 - Conquest of Sihon")), occupied land that *was* part of the territory God had promised to Israel, or they actively resisted Israel's peaceful passage, thus incurring divine judgment. This distinction highlights that Israel's conquest was not a general mandate for indiscriminate warfare but a precise, divinely orchestrated fulfillment of specific covenant promises and judgments, demonstrating God's justice in both preserving and dispossessing nations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 2:19, with its emphasis on God's universal sovereignty over nations and His establishment of their boundaries, finds its ultimate fulfillment and expansion in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament reveals God's particular covenant with Israel and His specific land grants, the New Testament unveils the broader scope of His redemptive plan for all humanity through Christ. Jesus is not merely the King of Israel but the cosmic Lord, the one through whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). His kingdom transcends earthly borders and national distinctions, as He Himself declared, "My kingdom is not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")). The command to respect the Ammonites' possession, despite their difference from Israel, foreshadows the universal reach of the Gospel, which breaks down "the dividing wall of hostility" between peoples ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down Walls")) and calls believers from "every tribe and language and people and nation" into one new humanity under His headship ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - Redeemed from Every Tribe and Nation")). In Christ, the ultimate "possession" is not a physical land, but an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance reserved in heaven for all who believe ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Incorruptible Inheritance")), a spiritual reality that supersedes any earthly territorial boundaries.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 2:9

And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land [for] a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot [for] a possession.

Judges 11:13

And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those [lands] again peaceably.

Judges 11:27

Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.

Genesis 19:36

Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.

Genesis 19:38

And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same [is] the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.

2 Chronicles 20:10

And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;

Deuteronomy 2:5

Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau [for] a possession.