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Judges 11:19

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And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land into my place.

And Israel {H3478} sent {H7971} messengers {H4397} unto Sihon {H5511} king {H4428} of the Amorites {H567}, the king {H4428} of Heshbon {H2809}; and Israel {H3478} said {H559} unto him, Let us pass {H5674}, we pray thee, through thy land {H776} into {H5704} my place {H4725}.

Isra'el sent messengers to Sichon king of the Emori and king of Heshbon with this message, "Please let us pass through your land to our own place."

And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon, and said to him, ‘Please let us pass through your land into our own place.’

And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land unto my place.

Commentary

Context of Judges 11:19

Judges 11:19 is part of a crucial historical argument made by Jephthah, the judge of Israel, to the king of the Ammonites. Jephthah recounts Israel's history to justify their claim to the land east of the Jordan River, which the Ammonites were disputing. This particular verse refers back to events that occurred during Israel's wilderness wanderings, specifically their approach to the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. It highlights Israel's initial attempt at peaceful negotiation to pass through the territory of Sihon, king of the Amorites, before any conflict ensued.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Peaceful Intent: The verse demonstrates Israel's desire for a peaceful and direct passage to their destination, showing they were not inherently aggressive or seeking conquest without provocation. Their request to "pass...through thy land into my place" underscores their focus on reaching their divine inheritance.
  • Diplomacy and Communication: Israel sent "messengers," indicating an attempt at diplomacy and clear communication before resorting to force. This act reflects a principle of seeking understanding and peaceful resolution first.
  • Historical Precedent: Jephthah uses this historical event to establish Israel's legitimate claim to the land. By showing that Sihon refused their polite request and initiated hostilities, Israel's subsequent victory was presented as a defensive and divinely sanctioned act, not an unprovoked invasion. This narrative is essential for understanding Israel's rights to their territory.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "pass...through thy land" uses the Hebrew verb 'abar (עָבַר), which means "to cross over" or "to pass through." This simple request for transit highlights Israel's need for a direct route and their intention to simply traverse the land, not settle in it without permission. The destination, "my place" (אֶל-מְקוֹמִי, el meqomi), emphasizes their ultimate goal: the land God had promised them, signifying a divinely appointed destination.

Related Scriptures

This verse summarizes an event described in greater detail elsewhere in the Old Testament. The full account of Israel's request to Sihon, his refusal, and the subsequent battle is found in Numbers 21:21-23 and Deuteronomy 2:26-30. These passages confirm that Sihon not only refused passage but also gathered his army to fight against Israel, prompting a divinely empowered victory for Israel.

Practical Application

Judges 11:19 offers insights applicable to modern life. It teaches the importance of seeking peaceful resolutions and clear communication before conflicts escalate. Even when faced with hostility, we are called to initiate dialogue and express our intentions clearly, much like Israel did with Sihon. Furthermore, it reminds us that God often works through our efforts at diplomacy, but also intervenes when peaceful avenues are exhausted and His purposes are at stake. Understanding historical contexts and precedents, as Jephthah did, can also be crucial in resolving disputes and establishing rightful claims today.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 13:8 (2 votes)

    With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, [even] as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them;

  • Joshua 13:12 (2 votes)

    All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.

  • Deuteronomy 2:26 (2 votes)

    And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying,

  • Deuteronomy 2:36 (2 votes)

    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:

  • Numbers 21:21 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

  • Numbers 21:35 (2 votes)

    So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.

  • Deuteronomy 3:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.