Deuteronomy 2:37

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.

Only unto the land {H776} of the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983} thou camest {H7126} not, nor unto any place {H3027} of the river {H5158} Jabbok {H2999}, nor unto the cities {H5892} in the mountains {H2022}, nor unto whatsoever the LORD {H3068} our God {H430} forbad {H6680} us.

The only land you didn't approach was that of the descendants of 'Amon - the region around the Yabok River, the cities in the hills and wherever else ADONAI our God forbade us to go.

But you did not go near the land of the Ammonites, or the land along the banks of the Jabbok River, or the cities of the hill country, or any place that the LORD our God had forbidden.

only to the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not near; all the side of the river Jabbok, and the cities of the hill-country, and wheresoever Jehovah our God forbade us.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 2:37 concludes a segment of Moses' recounting of Israel's journey through the wilderness, specifically highlighting the nations and territories that the LORD instructed them *not* to conquer or enter. After detailing Israel's successful passage through Edom and Moab, and their subsequent victories over Sihon, king of Heshbon, and Og, king of Bashan, this verse serves as a crucial reminder of God's specific commands and the boundaries He set for His people.

Context

This verse is part of Moses' retrospective speech to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. He reviews the 40 years of wandering, emphasizing God's faithfulness and Israel's obedience (or lack thereof). Specifically, after receiving instructions not to provoke the Edomites (Deuteronomy 2:4-6) or Moabites (Deuteronomy 2:9), the LORD gave a clear directive concerning the Ammonites: "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. 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." This verse confirms that Israel meticulously followed this command, not entering their territory, which included the region around the River Jabbok and its mountainous cities. The Ammonites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew (Genesis 19:38), and God had a specific purpose for their land.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Guidance: The verse powerfully illustrates that God, not Israel's military might, dictated the boundaries of their conquests. He had a master plan for the entire region and its inhabitants, guiding Israel's every step.
  • Obedience to God's Specific Commands: Israel's adherence to the command to avoid the Ammonites is highlighted. Their success was not just in conquering what God gave them, but also in refraining from what He forbade. This underscores the importance of complete obedience to divine instruction.
  • Respect for God-ordained Boundaries: Even in a period of conquest and expansion, God established limits. These limits were not arbitrary but rooted in His broader covenant purposes and His relationship with other nations.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "forbad us" (Hebrew: Χ›ΦΌΦ΄ΧœΦΌΦΈΧ Χ•ΦΌ - killanu) signifies a strong prohibition or restraint. It implies that God actively held them back or prevented them from entering these territories. This emphasizes God's direct involvement and control over Israel's movements, reinforcing that their journey and conquests were entirely under His divine leading, not merely human strategy.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 2:37 offers valuable lessons for believers today:

  1. Discerning God's "No": Just as important as knowing what God calls us to do is understanding what He forbids or where He sets boundaries. True obedience involves not just action, but also restraint and abstinence when divinely commanded.
  2. Trusting God's Wisdom: We may not always understand God's reasons for certain restrictions or for allowing others to possess what we might desire. This verse reminds us to trust His sovereign wisdom, knowing His plans are perfect and just.
  3. God's Comprehensive Plan: It reveals that God's plan extends beyond just His chosen people. He has purposes and boundaries for all peoples and nations, even those outside the covenant community.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's people are called to walk in complete submission to His will, recognizing that His guidance includes both the path to take and the paths to avoid.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 32:22

    And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.

  • Deuteronomy 3:16

    And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the river Arnon half the valley, and the border even unto the river Jabbok, [which is] the border of the children of Ammon;

  • Numbers 21:24

    And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon [was] strong.

  • Deuteronomy 2:19

    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.

  • Joshua 12:2

    Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, [and] ruled from Aroer, which [is] upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, [which is] the border of the children of Ammon;

  • 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.

  • Judges 11:15

    And said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon:
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