TRV
Translation
King James Version
And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land.
Complete Jewish Bible
ADONAI said to me, 'See, I have begun handing over Sichon and his territory before you; start taking possession of his land.'
Berean Standard Bible
Then the LORD said to me, “See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his land over to you. Now begin to conquer and possess his land.”
American Standard Version
And Jehovah said unto me, Behold, I have begun to deliver up Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land.
World English Bible Messianic
The LORD said to me, “Behold, I have begun to deliver up Sihon and his land before you. Begin to possess, that you may inherit his land.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the Lord sayd vnto me, Beholde, I haue begun to giue Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possesse and inherite his land.
Young's Literal Translation
`And Jehovah saith unto me, See, I have begun to give before thee Sihon and his land; begin to possess--to possess his land.
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In the KJVVerse 4,970 of 31,102
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Commentary on Deuteronomy 2 verses 24–37
24 ¶ Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.
25 This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.
26 And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying,
27 Let me pass through thy land: I will go along by the high way, I will neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left.
28 Thou shalt sell me meat for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink: only I will pass through on my feet;
29 (As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir, and the Moabites which dwell in Ar, did unto me;) until I shall pass over Jordan into the land which the LORD our God giveth us.
30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.
31 And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land.
32 Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz.
33 And the LORD our God delivered him before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people.
34 And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain:
35 Only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we took.
36 From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:
37 Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not, nor unto any place of the river Jabbok, nor unto the cities in the mountains, nor unto whatsoever the LORD our God forbad us.
God having tried the self-denial of his people in forbidding them to meddle with the Moabites and Ammonites, and they having quietly passed by those rich countries, and, though superior in number, not made any attack upon them, here he recompenses them for their obedience by giving them possession of the country of Sihon king of the Amorites. If we forbear what God forbids, we shall receive what he promises, and shall be no losers at last by our obedience, though it may seem for the present to be to our loss. Wrong not others, and God shall right thee.
I. God gives them commission to seize upon the country of Sihon king of Heshbon, Deu 2:24, Deu 2:25. This was then God's way of disposing of kingdoms, but such particular grants are not now either to be expected or pretended. In this commission observe, 1. Though God assured them that the land should be their own, yet they must bestir themselves, and contend in battle with the enemy. What God gives we must endeavour to get. 2. God promises that when they fight he will fight for them. Do you begin to possess it, and I will begin to put the dread of you upon them. God would dispirit the enemy and so destroy them, would magnify Israel and so terrify all those against whom they were commissioned. See Exo 15:14.
II. Moses sends to Sihon a message of peace, and only begs a passage through his land, with a promise to give his country no disturbance, but the advantage of trading for ready money with so great a body, Deu 2:26-29. Moses herein did neither disobey God, who bade him contend with Sihon, nor dissemble with Sihon; but doubtless it was by divine direction that he did it, that Sihon might be left inexcusable, though God hardened his heart. This may illustrate the method of God's dealing with those to whom he gives his gospel, but does not give grace to believe it.
III. Sihon began the war (Deu 2:32), God having made his heart obstinate, and hidden from his eyes the thing that belonged to his peace (Deu 2:30), that he might deliver him into the hand of Israel. Those that meddle with the people of God meddle to their own hurt; and God sometimes ruins his enemies by their own resolves. See Mic 4:11-13; Rev 16:14.
IV. Israel was victorious. 1. They put all the Amorites to the sword, men, women, and children (Deu 2:33, Deu 2:34); this they did as the executioners of God's wrath; now the measure of the Amorites' iniquity was full (Gen 15:16), and the longer it was in the filling the sorer was the reckoning at last. This was one of the devoted nations. They died, not as Israel's enemies, but as sacrifices to divine justice, in the offering of which sacrifices Israel was employed, as a kingdom of priests. The case being therefore extraordinary, it ought not to be drawn into a precedent for military executions, which make no distinction and give no quarter: those will have judgment without mercy that show no mercy. 2. They took possession of all they had; their cities (Deu 2:34), their goods (Deu 2:35), and their land, Deu 2:36. The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. What a new world did Israel now come into! Most of them were born, and had lived all their days, in a vast howling wilderness, where they knew not what either fields or cities were, had no houses to dwell in, and neither sowed nor reaped; and now of a sudden to become masters of a country so well built, so well husbanded, this made them amends for their long waiting, and yet it was but the earnest of a great deal more. Much more joyful will the change be which holy souls will experience when they remove out of the wilderness of this world to the better country, that is, the heavenly, to the city that has foundations.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 24–37. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 2:31 marks a pivotal divine directive to Moses, signaling the end of Israel's wilderness wandering and the commencement of their conquest of the Promised Land. In this verse, the LORD explicitly declares His sovereign initiative, stating, "I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee," immediately followed by a command for Israel's active obedience: "begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land." This declaration underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, providing both divine enablement and a clear mandate for human action, setting the stage for the initial military engagement against the Amorite king Sihon.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 2:31 employs several potent literary devices that amplify its message. Repetition is prominent, specifically with the concept of "beginning" (God has "begun to give," Israel is to "begin to possess") and "possessing/inheriting" (both explicit in the verse). This repetition underscores the synchronized action required: God's divine initiative is met by human responsibility, creating a powerful synergy. The phrase "Behold, I have begun to give" functions as a Divine Oracle or Direct Discourse, lending immense weight and authority to the words. It is a direct declaration from the LORD, emphasizing His sovereignty and active involvement, ensuring Israel's confidence in the impending victory. The entire verse can also be seen as an instance of Foreshadowing, as Sihon's defeat sets the precedent and serves as a tangible foretaste of the larger conquest of Canaan that lies ahead, assuring Israel of God's continued presence and power in their future battles.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 2:31 serves as a profound theological statement on the interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. God's declaration, "I have begun to give," asserts His absolute control and faithfulness to His covenant promises, ensuring that the land is a gracious gift, not a human achievement. Yet, the command to "begin to possess" simultaneously calls for Israel's active, obedient participation. This dynamic illustrates that God's prior grace enables and necessitates human action. It teaches that while God initiates and guarantees the ultimate outcome, He requires His people to step out in faith, engaging with the opportunities He provides. This principle resonates throughout biblical history, from Abraham's call to the establishment of the church, where divine empowerment always precedes and accompanies human mission.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 2:31 offers a timeless blueprint for navigating life's challenges and pursuing God's call. It powerfully reminds us that God often goes before us, preparing the way and initiating blessings even before we are aware. His declaration, "I have begun to give," instills confidence that our efforts are not in vain, but rather a participation in His already established plan. However, this divine initiative does not negate our responsibility; instead, it empowers it. The command to "begin to possess" calls us to courageous, faith-filled action. Whether facing spiritual battles, pursuing a new calling, or striving for personal growth, this verse encourages us to step out in obedience, trusting that God has already equipped us and set the stage for our success. It challenges us to identify where God has "begun to give" in our lives and to respond with active faith, knowing that our inheritance in Christ is secured, but requires our diligent pursuit.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Sihon's territory the first target for conquest, and what was its significance?
Answer: Sihon's territory, ruled from Heshbon, was strategically important because it controlled a major trade route, the King's Highway, and served as a gateway to the Transjordan region. More significantly, it became the first target because Sihon, unlike Edom and Moab, refused Israel peaceful passage, forcing a confrontation. This provided the divine justification for conquest, demonstrating God's justice against those who opposed His people and His plan. It also served as a crucial test and a foundational victory for the new generation of Israelites, building their faith and proving God's active presence with them as they began to fulfill the long-awaited promise of inheriting the land.
What is the deeper meaning of God saying, "I have begun to give," while also commanding Israel to "begin to possess"?
Answer: This seemingly paradoxical phrasing highlights a fundamental theological truth: God's sovereignty and human responsibility are not mutually exclusive but intertwined. "I have begun to give" emphasizes God's divine initiative, His pre-emptive grace, and the certainty of His promise. The victory is secured in His plan before any human action. However, "begin to possess" underscores the necessity of human faith, obedience, and active participation. God's gift requires a human response to be realized. It teaches that while God provides the power and the promise, His people must step out in faith and courage to "claim" what He has already provided. It's a call to co-labor with God in His purposes, not passively wait for them to materialize.
How does this verse relate to the previous generation's failure at Kadesh-Barnea?
Answer: Deuteronomy 2:31 stands in stark contrast to the tragic failure at Kadesh-Barnea, recounted in Numbers 14. At Kadesh-Barnea, the previous generation, despite God's promise, refused to "possess" the land due to fear and unbelief, leading to forty years of wandering and their eventual demise in the wilderness. Deuteronomy 2:31 marks a new beginning for the new generation. God is giving them another opportunity to obey and enter the land. His declaration, "I have begun to give," serves as a powerful reassurance, directly addressing the fears and doubts that plagued their parents. It emphasizes that this time, God is actively leading the charge, providing the confidence needed for Israel to "begin to possess" and avoid the mistakes of their predecessors.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 2:31, with its themes of divine initiative, promised inheritance, and the call to possess, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as the LORD declared, "I have begun to give Sihon and his land," God the Father has "begun to give" us an eternal inheritance through His Son. This spiritual "land" is not a physical territory but the Kingdom of God, eternal life, and all spiritual blessings in Christ, as described in Ephesians 1:3. Jesus, the greater Joshua, is the one who ultimately disarms the spiritual enemies—sin, death, and the devil—and leads His people into true freedom and rest, triumphing over them at the cross, as affirmed in Colossians 2:15. We are commanded to "begin to possess" this inheritance not through physical conquest, but through faith, repentance, and obedience to Christ, living out our new life in righteousness, as exhorted in Romans 6:12. Our spiritual battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces, and Christ has already secured the victory, enabling us to "take possession" of our spiritual blessings and live in His triumph, as we are reminded in Ephesians 6:12. The ultimate "inheritance" is eternal life with Christ, a gift freely given, yet requiring our active reception and faithful stewardship until His glorious return, as promised in 1 Peter 1:4.