Judges 11:18
New International Version
“Next they traveled through the wilderness, skirted the lands of Edom and Moab, passed along the eastern side of the country of Moab, and camped on the other side of the Arnon. They did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was its border.

New Living Translation
“Finally, they went around Edom and Moab through the wilderness. They traveled along Moab’s eastern border and camped on the other side of the Arnon River. But they never once crossed the Arnon River into Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab.

English Standard Version
“Then they journeyed through the wilderness and went around the land of Edom and the land of Moab and arrived on the east side of the land of Moab and camped on the other side of the Arnon. But they did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was the boundary of Moab.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Israel traveled through the wilderness and bypassed the lands of Edom and Moab. They came to the east side of the land of Moab and camped on the other side of the Arnon. But they did not enter the territory of Moab, since the Arnon was its border.

King James Bible
Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon was the border of Moab.

New King James Version
And they went along through the wilderness and bypassed the land of Edom and the land of Moab, came to the east side of the land of Moab, and encamped on the other side of the Arnon. But they did not enter the border of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab.

New American Standard Bible
Then they went through the wilderness and around the land of Edom and the land of Moab, and came to the east side of the land of Moab, and they camped beyond the Arnon; but they did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab.

NASB 1995
Then they went through the wilderness and around the land of Edom and the land of Moab, and came to the east side of the land of Moab, and they camped beyond the Arnon; but they did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab.

NASB 1977
‘Then they went through the wilderness and around the land of Edom and the land of Moab, and came to the east side of the land of Moab, and they camped beyond the Arnon; but they did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then they went through the wilderness and around the land of Edom and the land of Moab and came to the east toward the sunrise of the land of Moab, and they camped beyond the Arnon; but they did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab.

Amplified Bible
Then they went through the wilderness and went around the land of Edom and the land of Moab, and came to the east side of the land of Moab, and they camped on the other side of the [river] Arnon; but they did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was the [northern] boundary of Moab.

Christian Standard Bible
“Then they traveled through the wilderness and around the lands of Edom and Moab. They came to the east side of the land of Moab and camped on the other side of the Arnon but did not enter into the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was the boundary of Moab.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then they traveled through the wilderness and around the lands of Edom and Moab. They came to the east side of the land of Moab and camped on the other side of the Arnon but did not enter into the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was the boundary of Moab.”

American Standard Version
Then they went through the wilderness, and went around the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and they encamped on the other side of the Arnon; but they came not within the border of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab.

Contemporary English Version
A little later, the Israelites set out into the desert, going east of Edom and Moab, and camping on the eastern side of the Arnon River gorge. The Arnon is the eastern border of Moab, and since the Israelites didn't cross it, they didn't even set foot in Moab.

English Revised Version
Then he walked through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and they pitched on the other side of Arnon; but they came not within the border of Moab, for Arnon was the border of Moab.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Then they went through the desert, by-passing Edom and Moab. They camped east of Moab-east of the Arnon River. They did not cross the Arnon River because it was Moab's border.

Good News Translation
Then they went on through the desert, going around the land of Edom and the land of Moab until they came to the east side of Moab, on the other side of the Arnon River. They camped there, but they did not cross the Arnon because it was the boundary of Moab.

International Standard Version
Then they went through the desert, circumventing the territory belonging to Edom and Moab. They encamped on the other side of the Arnon River, but never entered the territory of Moab because the Arnon River is the border of Moab.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Israel traveled through the wilderness and bypassed the lands of Edom and Moab. They came to the east side of the land of Moab and camped on the other side of the Arnon. But they did not enter the territory of Moab, since the Arnon was its border.

NET Bible
Then Israel went through the desert and bypassed the land of Edom and the land of Moab. They traveled east of the land of Moab and camped on the other side of the Arnon River; they did not go through Moabite territory (the Arnon was Moab's border).

New Heart English Bible
Then they went through the wilderness, and went around the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and they camped on the other side of the Arnon; but they did not come within the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was the boundary of Moab.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon was the border of Moab.

World English Bible
Then they went through the wilderness, and went around the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and they encamped on the other side of the Arnon; but they didn’t come within the border of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he goes through the wilderness, and goes around the land of Edom and the land of Moab, and comes in at the rising of the sun of the land of Moab, and they encamp beyond Arnon, and have not come into the border of Moab, for Arnon [is] the border of Moab.

Young's Literal Translation
and he goeth through the wilderness, and compasseth the land of Edom and the land of Moab, and cometh in at the rising of the sun of the land of Moab, and they encamp beyond Arnon, and have not come into the border of Moab, for Arnon is the border of Moab.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will go into the wilderness, and he will encompass the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and he will come from the rising of the sun to the land of Moab, and they will encamp beyond Arnon; and they went not in to the bound of Moab, for Arnon is the bound of Moah
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And went round the land of Edom at the side, and the land of Moab: and came over against the east coast of the land of Moab, and camped on the other side of the Arnon: and he would not enter the bounds of Moab.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and he circled around the side of the land of Edom and the land of Moab. And he arrived opposite the eastern region of the land of Moab. And he made camp across the Arnon. But he was not willing to enter the borders of Moab. (Of course, Arnon is the border of the land of Moab.)

New American Bible
Then they went through the wilderness, and bypassing the land of Edom and the land of Moab, they arrived east of the land of Moab and encamped across the Arnon. Thus they did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon is the boundary of Moab.

New Revised Standard Version
Then they journeyed through the wilderness, went around the land of Edom and the land of Moab, arrived on the east side of the land of Moab, and camped on the other side of the Arnon. They did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was the boundary of Moab.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then they journeyed through the wilderness, and went around the land of Edom and the land of Moab, and they encamped on the other side of Arnon, but they did not enter the territory of Moab; for Arnon was the border of Moab.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he walked in the wilderness and he traveled the land of Adum and the land of Moab and they camped at the crossing of Arnon, and they did not enter the borders of Moab, because Arnon was the border of Moab
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then he walked through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and they pitched on the other side of the Arnon; but they came not within the border of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they journeyed in the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom and the land of Moab: and they came by the east of the land of Moab, an encamped in the country beyond Arnon, and came not within the borders of Moab, for Arnon is the border of Moab.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jephthah Delivers Israel
17Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Please let us pass through your land,’ but the king of Edom would not listen. They also sent messengers to the king of Moab, but he would not consent. So Israel stayed in Kadesh. 18Then Israel traveled through the wilderness and bypassed the lands of Edom and Moab. They came to the east side of the land of Moab and camped on the other side of the Arnon. But they did not enter the territory of Moab, since the Arnon was its border. 19And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon, and said to him, ‘Please let us pass through your land into our own place.’…

Cross References
Numbers 21:4
Then they set out from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, in order to bypass the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient on the journey

Deuteronomy 2:8-9
So we passed by our brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. We turned away from the Arabah road, which comes up from Elath and Ezion-geber, and traveled along the road of the Wilderness of Moab. / Then the LORD said to me, “Do not harass the Moabites or provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land, because I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as their possession.”

Numbers 20:14-21
From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to tell the king of Edom, “This is what your brother Israel says: You know all the hardship that has befallen us, / how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers, / and when we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory. ...

Deuteronomy 2:18-19
“Today you are going to cross the border of Moab at Ar. / But when you get close to the Ammonites, do not harass them or provoke them, for I will not give you any of the land of the Ammonites. I have given it to the descendants of Lot as their possession.”

Numbers 21:10-13
Then the Israelites set out and camped at Oboth. / They journeyed from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim in the wilderness opposite Moab to the east. / From there they set out and camped in the Valley of Zered. ...

Deuteronomy 2:26-29
So from the Wilderness of Kedemoth I sent messengers with an offer of peace to Sihon king of Heshbon, saying, / “Let us pass through your land; we will stay on the main road. We will not turn to the right or to the left. / You can sell us food to eat and water to drink in exchange for silver. Only let us pass through on foot, ...

Numbers 33:41-49
And the Israelites set out from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah. / They set out from Zalmonah and camped at Punon. / They set out from Punon and camped at Oboth. ...

Deuteronomy 2:1-3
Then we turned back and headed for the wilderness by way of the Red Sea, as the LORD had instructed me, and for many days we wandered around Mount Seir. / At this time the LORD said to me, / “You have been wandering around this hill country long enough; turn to the north

Numbers 21:21-24
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, / “Let us pass through your land. We will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.” / But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, he gathered his whole army and went out to confront Israel in the wilderness. When he came to Jahaz, he fought against Israel. ...

Deuteronomy 2:24-25
“Arise, set out, and cross the Arnon Valley. See, I have delivered into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle. / This very day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon all the nations under heaven. They will hear the reports of you and tremble in anguish because of you.”

Numbers 21:12-13
From there they set out and camped in the Valley of Zered. / From there they moved on and camped on the other side of the Arnon, in the wilderness that extends into the Amorite territory. Now the Arnon is the border between the Moabites and the Amorites.

Deuteronomy 2:13-15
“Now arise and cross over the Brook of Zered.” So we crossed over the Brook of Zered. / The time we spent traveling from Kadesh-barnea until we crossed over the Brook of Zered was thirty-eight years, until that entire generation of fighting men had perished from the camp, as the LORD had sworn to them. / Indeed, the LORD’s hand was against them, to eliminate them from the camp, until they had all perished.

Numbers 33:37-39
They set out from Kadesh and camped at Mount Hor, on the outskirts of the land of Edom. / At the LORD’s command, Aaron the priest climbed Mount Hor and died there on the first day of the fifth month, in the fortieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt. / Aaron was 123 years old when he died on Mount Hor.

Deuteronomy 2:4-6
and command the people: ‘You will pass through the territory of your brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, so you must be very careful. / Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a footprint, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as his possession. / You are to pay them in silver for the food you eat and the water you drink.’”

Numbers 33:40-41
Now the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev in the land of Canaan, heard that the Israelites were coming. / And the Israelites set out from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah.


Treasury of Scripture

Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon was the border of Moab.

went

Numbers 20:22
And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came unto mount Hor.

Numbers 21:10-13
And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth…

Numbers 33:37-44
And they removed from Kadesh, and pitched in mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom…

compassed

Numbers 21:4
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.

came by

Numbers 21:11
And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ijeabarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrising.

pitched

Numbers 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.

Numbers 22:36
And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.

Jump to Previous
Arnon Border Camped Compassed East Edom Encamped Enter Journeyed Moab Pitched Side Territory Wilderness Within
Jump to Next
Arnon Border Camped Compassed East Edom Encamped Enter Journeyed Moab Pitched Side Territory Wilderness Within
Judges 11
1. The covenant between Jephthah and the Gileadites, that he should lead
12. The treaty of peace between him and the Ammonites is in vain
29. Jephthah's vow
32. His conquest of the Ammonites
34. He performs his vow on his daughter.














Then Israel traveled through the wilderness
This phrase refers to the period of Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, a time marked by divine guidance and provision. The wilderness journey is a significant part of Israel's history, symbolizing a period of testing and reliance on God. It reflects the broader biblical theme of God's people being led through trials to reach a place of promise.

and bypassed the lands of Edom and Moab.
Edom and Moab were nations descended from Esau and Lot, respectively. Israel's decision to bypass these lands demonstrates obedience to God's command not to engage in conflict with these relatives (Deuteronomy 2:4-9). This action highlights the importance of respecting God's instructions and the boundaries He sets, even when it involves restraint and patience.

They came to the east side of the land of Moab
This geographical detail situates Israel on the eastern border of Moab, emphasizing their strategic movement around hostile territories. The east side of Moab is significant as it positions Israel for their eventual crossing into the Promised Land. This location also sets the stage for future interactions with Moab, including the story of Balaam and Balak (Numbers 22-24).

and camped on the other side of the Arnon.
The Arnon River served as a natural boundary between Moab and the Amorite territories. Camping on the other side of the Arnon indicates Israel's careful navigation of political boundaries. This strategic positioning reflects God's guidance in leading Israel safely through potentially hostile regions.

But they did not enter the territory of Moab,
This phrase underscores Israel's obedience to God's command not to provoke Moab (Deuteronomy 2:9). It highlights the importance of respecting God's directives and the sovereignty of other nations. This restraint is a testament to Israel's reliance on God's timing and provision.

since the Arnon was its border.
The Arnon River as a border signifies a divinely established boundary that Israel respected. This respect for boundaries is a recurring biblical theme, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and honoring God's established limits. It also foreshadows the future territorial boundaries that God would establish for Israel in the Promised Land.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Israelites
The people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are journeying to the Promised Land.

2. Edom
A nation descended from Esau, Jacob's brother, located south of the Dead Sea.

3. Moab
A nation descended from Lot, located east of the Dead Sea.

4. Wilderness
The desert area through which the Israelites traveled during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.

5. Arnon
A river that served as a boundary between Moab and the Amorite territory.
Teaching Points
Respect for Boundaries
The Israelites respected the territorial boundaries of Edom and Moab, demonstrating obedience to God's instructions. This teaches us the importance of respecting others' boundaries in our relationships.

Trust in God's Guidance
Despite the longer journey, the Israelites trusted God's guidance. We are reminded to trust God's plan, even when it leads us on unexpected paths.

Peaceful Coexistence
The decision not to enter Moab's territory highlights the value of peaceful coexistence. As Christians, we are called to seek peace and avoid unnecessary conflict.

Historical Context Matters
Understanding the historical and familial relationships between nations helps us comprehend the complexities of biblical accounts. This encourages us to study the Bible deeply and contextually.

God's Sovereignty
The journey through the wilderness and around hostile territories underscores God's sovereignty and protection over His people. We can find comfort in knowing that God is in control of our life's journey.Verse 18. - Then they went along, etc. The narrative here follows Deuteronomy 2:1. For they compassed the land of Edom. Deuteronomy 2:1 has, "we compassed Mount Seir;" but Numbers 21:4 has, "to compass the land of Edom." By the east side - literally, by the sun-rising side, as in Numbers 21:11. They pitched on the other side of Arnon. The identical words occur in Numbers 21:13. For Arnon was the border of Moab. The identical words of Numbers 21:18, where it is added, "between Moab and the Amorites." South of the Amen belonged to Moab, and north to the Amorites. The route taken by the Israelites is carefully traced (Numbers 21:11-20).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then [Israel] traveled
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

through the wilderness
בַּמִּדְבָּ֗ר (bam·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

and bypassed
וַיָּ֜סָב (way·yā·sāḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

the lands
אֶ֤רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Edom
אֱדוֹם֙ (’ĕ·ḏō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 123: The name of a condiment

and Moab.
מוֹאָ֔ב (mō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled

They came
וַיָּבֹ֤א (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
מִמִּזְרַח־ (mim·miz·raḥ-)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4217: Place of sunrise, the east

the east side
שֶׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ (še·meš)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 8121: The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement

of the land
אֶ֣רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Moab
מוֹאָ֔ב (mō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled

and camped
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּן (way·ya·ḥă·nūn)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp

on the other side
בְּעֵ֣בֶר (bə·‘ê·ḇer)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5676: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Arnon.
אַרְנ֑וֹן (’ar·nō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 769: Arnon -- 'a roaring stream', a wadi and stream in Moab

But they did not
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

enter
בָ֙אוּ֙ (ḇā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the territory
בִּגְב֣וּל (biḡ·ḇūl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed

of Moab,
מוֹאָ֔ב (mō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled

since
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the Arnon
אַרְנ֖וֹן (’ar·nō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 769: Arnon -- 'a roaring stream', a wadi and stream in Moab

was its border.
גְּב֥וּל (gə·ḇūl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed


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OT History: Judges 11:18 Then they went through the wilderness (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 11:17
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