Deuteronomy 2:16-25

Approach to the -Ammonites and Amorites

The adult generation having died out (Deuteronomy 2:16), Jehovah charged Moses that, being about to pass the border or cross the territory of Mo'ab (Deuteronomy 2:17 f.) and to approach -Ammôn, Israel (Sg. address) must not fight the latter, for Jehovah gave that land to the sons of Lot (Deuteronomy 2:19). Follows an archaeological note on the predecessors of -Ammôn (Deuteronomy 2:20-23); and then the command, in the Pl. address, to cross the Arnon (Deuteronomy 2:24 a); then, in the Sg., an assurance that Sîḥôn should be given into Israel's hands, they must fight him (Deuteronomy 2:24 b); for the dread of Israel would Jehovah put on all peoples at the mere report of Israel's approach (Deuteronomy 2:25).

This section is perplexing, because of the apparently proleptic mention of -Ammôn, the use of the Pl. address only in Deuteronomy 2:24 a, and the discrepancy between Deuteronomy 2:24 b, Deuteronomy 2:25 and the next section, especially Deuteronomy 2:27. On these grounds, combined with the fact that there are no parallels in JE, on which document the rest of this discourse is based, there is a strong case for the opinion that this section is for the most part from another hand than the rest of the discourse. Steuern. indeed takes only Deuteronomy 2:16-17; Deuteronomy 2:24 aas original. For details see notes.