Deuteronomy 2:34
At that time we captured all his cities and devoted to destruction the people of every city, including women and children. We left no survivors.
At that time
This phrase situates the events within a specific historical context. The Israelites, under God's command, were journeying through the wilderness towards the Promised Land. The timing is crucial as it reflects God's divine plan and timing for the conquest. Historically, this period marks the transition from wandering to possessing the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

we captured all his cities
The act of capturing cities signifies a military conquest. The Hebrew root for "captured" is "לָכַד" (lakad), which implies seizing or taking by force. This reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to give the Israelites victory over their enemies. Archaeologically, this period aligns with the Late Bronze Age, a time of city-states and fortified settlements in the region.

and completely destroyed
The phrase "completely destroyed" translates from the Hebrew "חָרַם" (charam), meaning to devote to destruction or to utterly annihilate. This was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern warfare, often as an act of devotion to a deity. In the biblical context, it signifies the Israelites' obedience to God's command to remove idolatry and sin from the land.

the people of every city
This phrase underscores the totality of the destruction. The Hebrew word for "people" is "עַם" (am), indicating the entire population. This reflects the severity of God's judgment against the Canaanite nations, who were steeped in practices abhorrent to God, such as idolatry and child sacrifice.

including women and children
The inclusion of women and children in the destruction highlights the comprehensive nature of the judgment. This is a difficult aspect of the text, often challenging modern readers. From a conservative perspective, it is seen as a necessary act to prevent the continuation of pagan practices and to protect the spiritual purity of the Israelite community.

We left no survivors
This phrase emphasizes the completeness of the conquest. The Hebrew root "שָׂרִיד" (sarid) means survivor or remnant. The absence of survivors ensured that the influence of the Canaanite culture and religion would not persist among the Israelites. This reflects the seriousness with which God viewed the threat of idolatry and the importance of maintaining covenant faithfulness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Israelites
The people of God, led by Moses, who are journeying towards the Promised Land.

2. Sihon
The Amorite king of Heshbon, whose territory the Israelites are conquering.

3. Heshbon
The capital city of Sihon, representing the Amorite kingdom.

4. Amorites
A group of people living in the land east of the Jordan River, known for their opposition to Israel.

5. Conquest
The event of the Israelites capturing and destroying the cities of Sihon as part of their journey to the Promised Land.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Judgment
The complete destruction of the Amorites demonstrates God's sovereign judgment against sin and rebellion. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God.

Faithfulness to God's Promises
The conquest of Sihon's territory is a fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to the descendants of Abraham. This encourages believers to trust in God's faithfulness to His promises.

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Just as the Israelites faced physical battles, Christians today face spiritual battles. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces.

The Importance of Obedience
The Israelites' success was contingent upon their obedience to God's commands. This highlights the importance of obedience in the life of a believer.

God's Mercy and Justice
While the destruction of the Amorites is severe, it also points to God's mercy in providing a way for His people to inherit the land. It challenges us to consider both aspects of God's character.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the conquest of Sihon's cities reflect God's judgment and justice? How can this understanding shape our view of God's character?

2. In what ways does the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel encourage us to trust in His promises today?

3. How can the concept of spiritual warfare, as seen in the Israelites' physical battles, be applied to our daily lives as Christians?

4. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' obedience in this passage, and how can we apply them to our own walk with God?

5. How do we reconcile the severity of God's judgment with His mercy, and how can this understanding impact our relationship with Him?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Numbers 21:21-31
Provides the background of the conflict with Sihon, detailing the initial request for passage and the subsequent battle.

Joshua 12:1-6
Lists the kings defeated by Moses and the Israelites, including Sihon, as part of the conquest account.

Psalm 135:10-12
Celebrates God's victories over the kings of the land, including Sihon, as a testament to His power and faithfulness.

Romans 11:22
Reflects on the severity and kindness of God, which can be seen in His judgment on the Amorites and His mercy towards Israel.
The Destruction of Sihon, King of the AmoritesR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 2:24-37
Warrantable WarfareD. Davies Deuteronomy 2:24-37
The Conquest of SihonJ. Orr Deuteronomy 2:26-37
People
Ammonites, Anakites, Avvites, Caphtorim, Caphtorites, Emites, Esau, Geber, Horites, Moabites, Moses, Rephaites, Seir, Sihon, Zamzummites
Places
Ammon, Ar, Arabah, Aroer, Caphtor, Elath, Ezion-geber, Gaza, Gilead, Heshbon, Jabbok River, Jahaz, Jordan River, Kadesh-barnea, Kedemoth, Moab, Mount Seir, Red Sea, Seir, Valley of the Arnon, Zered
Topics
Capture, Captured, Cities, Complete, Completely, Destroyed, Destruction, Devote, Escape, Infants, Inhabited, Mercy, None, Ones, Remaining, Remnant, Survivor, Survivors, Towns, Utterly, Women
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 2:34

     5295   destruction

Library
A Great Part of South Judea Cut Off under the Second Temple. Jewish Idumean.
The Talmudic girdle ends, as you see, in "Kadesh, Barnea, and Ascalon." Hence it cannot but be observed, that these two places are placed, as it were, in parallel; and whatsoever space lies between Ascalon and the river of Egypt, is excluded,--to wit, fifty-four miles. And one might, indeed, almost see some footsteps of that exclusion under the first Temple, in that very common expression, "From Dan even to Beer-sheba." This country, that was excluded, was something barren. The Talmudists speak thus
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The New Leaders Commission
'Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2. Moses My servant is dead: now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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