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.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
4 of 24
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תָּ֙צַר֙
unto me Distress
H6696
תָּ֙צַר֙
unto me Distress
Strong's:
H6696
Word #:
5 of 24
to cramp, i.e., confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מוֹאָ֔ב
not the Moabites
H4124
מוֹאָ֔ב
not the Moabites
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
7 of 24
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
8 of 24
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּתְגָּ֥ר
neither contend
H1624
תִּתְגָּ֥ר
neither contend
Strong's:
H1624
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, to grate, i.e., (figuratively) to anger
מִלְחָמָ֑ה
with them in battle
H4421
מִלְחָמָ֑ה
with them in battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
11 of 24
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
כִּ֠י
H3588
כִּ֠י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נָתַ֥תִּי
because I have given
H5414
נָתַ֥תִּי
because I have given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
14 of 24
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
מֵֽאַרְצוֹ֙
thee of their land
H776
מֵֽאַרְצוֹ֙
thee of their land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
16 of 24
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
יְרֻשָּֽׁה׃
for a possession
H3425
יְרֻשָּֽׁה׃
for a possession
Strong's:
H3425
Word #:
17 of 24
something occupied; a conquest; also a patrimony
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לִבְנֵי
unto the children
H1121
לִבְנֵי
unto the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
19 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
נָתַ֥תִּי
because I have given
H5414
נָתַ֥תִּי
because I have given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
21 of 24
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Historical Context
Despite this protection, Moab would later oppose Israel (Numbers 22-25) and would come under prophetic judgment (Isaiah 15-16). Yet at this moment, God commanded restraint. This illustrates that God's immediate commands may differ from His ultimate judgments—timing matters in understanding God's ways.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's mercy to those with shameful origins encourage you about His grace?
- When should you show restraint even toward those who may later oppose you?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God's command regarding Moab—'Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle'—extends the same respect given to Edom. Though Moab descended from Lot's incestuous relationship with his daughter (Genesis 19:37), God still recognized their territorial rights. The reason 'I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession' shows God's grace extends beyond perfect origins. God's sovereignty and mercy transcend human failure.