Deuteronomy 3:8
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The verse highlights that this entire conquered territory, stretching from the Arnon River in the south to Mount Hermon in the north, was taken "out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites." This emphasizes that the land was not just empty but actively held by these kings, underscoring God's power in dispossessing them and giving the land to Israel.
So we took the land at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, from the Valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just after defeating Sihon, king of the Amorites, the Israelites immediately turned north to conquer the kingdom of Og, king of Bashan. This verse serves as a summary of that successful campaign, detailing the vast territory taken from these two powerful Amorite rulers east of the Jordan River, stretching from the Arnon River in the south all the way to Mount Hermon in the north.
Have you ever wondered just how much land God promised Israel? This verse gives us a clear picture of the vast territory conquered.
Deuteronomy 3:8 pinpoints the geographical boundaries of the land taken from the Amorites: 'from the Valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon.'
From South to North
A God-Given Inheritance
This wasn't just any land; it was a specific portion of the larger inheritance God had promised to Abraham's descendants. The conquest of this territory, stretching from the Arnon in the south to Hermon in the north, was a crucial step in fulfilling God's covenant. It demonstrates God's faithfulness in bringing His people into the land He had designated for them.
Who were these 'two kings of the Amorites' and why was their land taken?
Deuteronomy 3:8 mentions taking the land 'out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites.' This refers to Sihon, king of Heshbon, and Og, king of Bashan. These Amorite kings were powerful rulers who occupied territory east of the Jordan River.
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More Than Just a Border Dispute
It's important to understand that this wasn't simply a case of one nation displacing another. The Amorites were a people whose wickedness had become particularly egregious.
A Precursor to Canaan
While Sihon and Og were Amorites, Og himself is also described as one of the last of the Rephaim, a race of giants. This highlights the formidable opposition Israel faced. Their victory over these kings and their people demonstrated God's power and His commitment to giving Israel victory, even against seemingly insurmountable odds.
The phrase 'on this side Jordan' might seem confusing. What's the key to understanding this perspective?
Deuteronomy 3:8 states that Israel took the land 'on this side Jordan.' This phrase reflects the perspective of the writer, Moses, and the Israelites at that specific moment.
A Snapshot in Time
Consistency in Scripture
This linguistic shift isn't a contradiction but an example of how Scripture uses descriptive language tied to context. It helps us understand that the Bible is written from human perspectives, even as it records divine truth. The essential point remains: God empowered Israel to conquer a significant territory east of the Jordan before they entered the land west of it.
Understand the original words
Emori · Hebrew Noun
A generic term for a member of a Canaanite group dwelling in the hill country. They were a people group under divine judgment due to their idolatry and wickedness.
Arnon · Hebrew Proper Noun
Literally the 'river of rushing' or 'roaring.' It served as a geographical boundary and a significant landmark in the conquest narrative.
Chermon · Hebrew Proper Noun
A prominent, snow-capped mountain range, often associated with divine majesty or as a northern boundary marker for Israel's inheritance.
This verse marks a significant military and territorial achievement for the Israelites just before their full entry into the Promised Land. The conquest of lands east of the Jordan, though crucial, was distinct from the subsequent conquest of Canaan itself.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Enter the Wilderness
After their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, a period of divine discipline and preparation.
c. 13th Century BC— this verse
Conquest of Sihon and Og
The Israelites, under Moses' leadership, conquered the Amorite kings Sihon and Og east of the Jordan River. This victory secured crucial territory for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh.
c. 13th Century BC
Division of Land East of Jordan
The conquered lands east of the Jordan River were allocated to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, allowing them to settle before the main conquest of Canaan.
c. 13th Century BC
Moses' Final Instructions
As his death approached, Moses delivered his final speeches to the Israelites, recounting their history and reiterating God's commands, leading up to the conquest of Canaan.
This passage describes the initial conquest of the Amorite king Sihon, setting the stage for the broader conquest mentioned in Deuteronomy 3:8.
Joshua 12:1-6This chapter lists the kings and lands conquered by Moses east of the Jordan, directly correlating with the territory described in Deuteronomy 3:8.
Psalm 133:1-3This psalm speaks of the beauty of unity, using the dew of Mount Hermon as a metaphor, connecting the mountain to blessing and fellowship, which can be seen as a spiritual parallel to the land secured for God's people.
1 Chronicles 5:11-16This passage recounts the settlement of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in the very lands conquered from the Amorites east of the Jordan, fulfilling the conquest described in Deuteronomy 3:8.
gillDeuteronomy 3:8: "And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land that was on this side Jordan, from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon;"
And we took at that time out of the hands of the two kings of the Amorites,.... Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan: the land that was on this side Jordan; where Moses then was, being in the plains of Moab, and was the country beyond Jordan, with respect to the land of Canaan, and when in that: from the river of A…
calvinDeuteronomy 3:1-11: "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."
And the Lord said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.
Et dixit Jehova ad me, ne timeas illum, nam in manu tua dedi eum, et universum populum ejus, ac terram ejus: faeiesque ei…
The verse highlights that this entire conquered territory, stretching from the Arnon River in the south to Mount Hermon in the north, was taken "out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites." This emphasizes that the land was not just empty but actively held by these kings, underscoring God's power in dispossessing them and giving the land to Israel.
Just after defeating Sihon, king of the Amorites, the Israelites immediately turned north to conquer the kingdom of Og, king of Bashan. This verse serves as a summary of that successful campaign, detailing the vast territory taken from these two powerful Amorite rulers east of the Jordan River, stretching from the Arnon River in the south all the way to Mount Hermon in the north.
Just after defeating Sihon, king of the Amorites, the Israelites immediately turned north to conquer the kingdom of Og, king of Bashan. This verse serves as a summary of that successful campaign, detailing the vast territory taken from these two powerful Amorite rulers east of the Jordan River, stretching from the Arnon River in the south all the way to Mount Hermon in the north.
"So we took the land at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, from the Valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon" — The verse highlights that this entire conquered territory, stretching from the Arnon River in the south to Mount Hermon in the north, was taken "out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites." Thi…
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Last reviewed October 2026
