Numbers 21:21-30

How is the defeat of Sihon connected with the land’s earlier history?

Berean Standard Bible

21 Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, 22 “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.” 23 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. 24 And Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok—but only up to the border of the Ammonites, because it was fortified. 25 Israel captured all the cities of the Amorites and occupied them, including Heshbon and all its villages. 26 Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and taken all his land as far as the Arnon. 27 That is why the poets say: “Come to Heshbon, let it be rebuilt; let the city of Sihon be restored. 28 For a fire went out from Heshbon, a blaze from the city of Sihon. It consumed Ar of Moab, the rulers of Arnon’s heights. 29 Woe to you, O Moab! You are destroyed, O people of Chemosh! He gave up his sons as refugees, and his daughters into captivity to Sihon king of the Amorites. 30 But we have overthrown them; Heshbon is destroyed as far as Dibon. We demolished them as far as Nophah, which reaches to Medeba.”

What is the context?

Israel asks Sihon for road passage without taking fields, vineyards, or well water. He refuses, mobilizes, and attacks at Jahaz. Israel defeats him and occupies his cities and territory within the boundaries stated.

The account explains that Sihon had previously taken the land from Moab and includes a poem about Heshbon and Moab’s defeat. The remembered victory over Moab is followed by Israel’s defeat of the conqueror. This background explains why the land is described as Amorite territory at this point.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley emphasizes Sihon’s prior conquest in explaining Israel’s possession of the land and reads the poem in relation to those changing victories. The text identifies the prior Moabite ownership; it does not present every line spoken in the poem as a command for Israel’s later conduct.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

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