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.
Original Language Analysis
רַ֛ק
H7535
רַ֛ק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
אֶ֥רֶץ
Only unto the land
H776
אֶ֥רֶץ
Only unto the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
3 of 18
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַמּ֖וֹן
of Ammon
H5983
עַמּ֖וֹן
of Ammon
Strong's:
H5983
Word #:
5 of 18
ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
קָרָ֑בְתָּ
thou camest
H7126
קָרָ֑בְתָּ
thou camest
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
7 of 18
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יַ֞ד
not nor unto any place
H3027
יַ֞ד
not nor unto any place
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 18
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
נַ֤חַל
of the river
H5158
נַ֤חַל
of the river
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
10 of 18
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
וְעָרֵ֣י
nor unto the cities
H5892
וְעָרֵ֣י
nor unto the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
12 of 18
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הָהָ֔ר
in the mountains
H2022
הָהָ֔ר
in the mountains
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
13 of 18
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וְכֹ֥ל
H3605
וְכֹ֥ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Genesis 32:22And 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 3:16And 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 21:24And 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 2:19And 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 12:2Sihon 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;
Historical Context
The Jabbok River formed the border with Ammon. Israel's restraint despite having just conquered Sihon and Og proved their conquest wasn't mere militaristic expansion but obedience to divine direction. This restraint distinguished Israel from typical ancient Near Eastern powers who conquered whatever they could. God's commands, not human ambition, determined Israel's warfare.
Questions for Reflection
- Where is God calling you to restraint despite having capability and opportunity?
- How do you demonstrate that obedience to God, not personal ambition, drives your actions?
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Analysis & Commentary
The exception—'Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not'—demonstrates Israel's obedience to God's earlier prohibition (Deuteronomy 2:19). Despite military momentum and capability, Israel respected God's boundaries regarding Ammon. The specificity 'nor unto any place of the river Jabbok, nor unto the cities in the mountains' shows detailed compliance. True faith obeys God's 'no' as readily as His 'yes.'