Numbers 21:13-15
From there they set out and camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that extends from the border of the Amorites, for the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the LORD, “Waheb in Suphah, and the valleys of the Arnon, and the slope of the valleys that extends to the seat of Ar, and leans to the border of Moab.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easy to miss here is the subtle political and geographical shift described. The Arnon River is identified as the border between Moab and the Amorites, but it's clarified that this land north of the Arnon was no longer Moab's; it had been conquered by the Amorites. This distinction is crucial, as it explains why the Israelites, who were initially commanded not to disturb Moab, could now lawfully pass through and even conquer this territory.
After a period of wandering and encountering fiery serpents that led to much death, the Israelites are now moving again. This verse marks their movement to a new location, camping near the Arnon river, which served as a significant boundary. This strategic positioning is important because it's on the edge of land that the Amorites had previously conquered from the Moabites, setting the stage for their confrontation with Sihon, the Amorite king.
Have you ever felt like the lines drawn between 'mine' and 'yours' were blurry? The Arnon River wasn't just a geographical marker; it represented a complex, changing political landscape.
This verse pinpoints the Israelites' location near the Arnon River, a crucial boundary.
A River with a History
The Arnon River, likely the modern Wadi Mujib, was a significant natural feature.
Reconciling Divine Commands
This geopolitical reality helps explain seemingly contradictory commands from God:
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The verse clarifies this: by camping on the 'other side' (which, from their perspective, was effectively the border of the Amorite territory that used to belong to Moab), they weren't encroaching on land still held by Moab. They were entering territory recently conquered by the Amorites, whom God had given them permission to engage.
The 'wilderness' here isn't just empty space. It's a specific region tied to a powerful people, and it sets the stage for God's intervention.
The text mentions the camp being pitched 'in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites.' This wilderness is significant.
A Land Defined by Its People
This wasn't a barren, uninhabited wasteland. It was a region associated with the Amorites, a people Israel would soon confront.
Setting the Stage for Conflict and Provision
Being in this location was crucial for the unfolding narrative.
Understand the original words
Emori · Hebrew Noun
A powerful and prominent Canaanite people group inhabiting the mountainous regions east of the Jordan; they represent the enemies of God’s people that were to be conquered during the conquest of the Promised Land.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
Refers to the sovereign activity of the Almighty God in history; implies that human conflicts, conquests, and territorial movements are ultimately under the governance and record of the covenant Lord of Israel.
Waheb · Hebrew Proper Noun
A place name meaning "to give" or "gift," often used in the context of victory or divine apportionment in historical poetic accounts.
This verse highlights the strategic importance of the Arnon River as a border. It clarifies that the land the Israelites are entering, though formerly Moabite, has been recently conquered by the Amorites, justifying their engagement with Sihon's kingdom without violating God's command not to attack Moab.
c. 14th-13th century BC
Amorites Conquer Amorite Land
The Amorites, migrating from the west, conquer the land north of the Arnon River, previously held by Moab. This sets the stage for the conflict with Sihon.
c. 14th-13th century BC
Israelites Begin Wilderness Journey
The Israelites, after leaving Egypt, spend 40 years wandering in the wilderness. This period is marked by their obedience to God's commands not to provoke other nations.
During the Exodus— this verse
Conquest of Sihon's Kingdom
The Israelites, seeking passage, are denied by King Sihon of the Amorites. They then wage war and defeat him, taking possession of his territory north of the Arnon River.
During the Exodus
Israel Camps by the Arnon
The Israelites set up camp on the northern side of the Arnon River, which now marks the border between the conquered Amorite land and the remaining Moabite territory.
This passage establishes the divinely promised border of Israel's land, stretching to the Euphrates River, placing the Arnon River within that general region of God's promise, even before the Amorites claimed it.
Deuteronomy 2:24This verse directly references Sihon the Amorite's territory beyond the Arnon, explaining that God gave this land to Israel, clarifying that though Arnon bordered Moab, the land Israel was entering had been conquered by the Amorites.
Judges 11:17Jephthah quotes this historical context, reiterating that Israel did not take land from Moab or Ammon but rather from Sihon the Amorite, supporting the claim that the Arnon marked the Amorite territory Israel was now entering.
Numbers 21:26-28This passage directly quotes the Amorites' taunt song, referencing their conquest of Moab and their claim over the Arnon River, which further solidifies the understanding of Arnon as the Amorite border Israel was now confronting.
gillNumbers 21:13: "From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites."
From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon,.... A river on the borders of Moab: which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites; according to Jarchi, they went round the land of Moab, all to the south and east, and came not into th…
calvinNumbers 21:4-20: "And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way."
And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
Itaque loquutus est populus contra Deum et Mosen, Ut quid ascendere nos fecistis ex Aegypto, ut more…
What's easy to miss here is the subtle political and geographical shift described. The Arnon River is identified as the border between Moab and the Amorites, but it's clarified that this land north of the Arnon was no longer Moab's; it had been conquered by the Amorites. This distinction is crucial, as it explains why the Israelites, who were initially commanded not to disturb Moab, could now lawfully pass through and even conquer this territory.
After a period of wandering and encountering fiery serpents that led to much death, the Israelites are now moving again. This verse marks their movement to a new location, camping near the Arnon river, which served as a significant boundary. This strategic positioning is important because it's on the edge of land that the Amorites had previously conquered from the Moabites, setting the stage for their confrontation with Sihon, the Amorite king.
After a period of wandering and encountering fiery serpents that led to much death, the Israelites are now moving again. This verse marks their movement to a new location, camping near the Arnon river, which served as a significant boundary. This strategic positioning is important because it's on the edge of land that the Amorites had previously conquered from the Moabites, setting the stage for their confrontation with Sihon, the Amorite king.
"From there they set out and camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that extends from the border of the Amorites, for the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. Therefore it is said in the Boo…" — What's easy to miss here is the subtle political and geographical shift described. The Arnon River is identified as the border between Moab and the Amorites, but it's clarified that this land north o…
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