Deuteronomy 2:26-37

The Victory over Sîḥôn

From the desert N. of Arnon Moses sent to Sîḥôn asking leave to cross his land in peace, purchasing food and water (Deuteronomy 2:26-29). Sîḥôn refused, Jehovah hardening bis spirit that he might be delivered into Israel's hands (Deuteronomy 2:30 f.). They met at Yahaṣ and Sîḥôn was defeated (Deuteronomy 2:32 f.). Israel took his towns, put the population to the ban, but reserved cattle and spoil for themselves (Deuteronomy 2:34 f.), and occupied his land from the Arnon to Gile-ad, and up to the Ammonite border on the Jabboḳ (Deuteronomy 2:36 f.).

The parallel JE, Numbers 21:21-32 (for the analysis of which into two narratives see the Comm. in this series), contains besides an old mashalor ode on the subject (Deuteronomy 2:27-30). E agrees in substance with D and there are verbal parallels, for which see below. As elsewhere D seems here based on E, with the usual variations of style and one or two details of fact.

On the relation of this section of Moses" discourse to the preceding see introd. and notes to the latter. On the historicity of the story see the present writer's HGHL, 662 ff.; and Early Poetry of Israel, 64 ff.