Deuteronomy 2:24 Meaning and Explanation
“Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God commands Israel to cross the Arnon and take the land of Sihon, the Amorite king, by military conquest.
The Context of Deuteronomy 2:24
God now commands Israel to cross the Arnon and conquer Sihon's kingdom, the first military conquest.
What Does Deuteronomy 2:24 Mean?
After prohibiting attacks on Edom, Moab, and Ammon, God now commands Israel to cross the Arnon River and wage war against Sihon. The contrast is striking: Israel is not free to choose whom to fight, but only fights whom God designates. Sihon and his Amorite kingdom do not fall under the protected peoples. God explicitly gives Sihon's land into Israel's hand.
The phrase 'begin to possess it' signals the start of Israel's actual land-taking in Transjordan. For the first time, Israel is commanded not to avoid conflict but to 'contend in battle.' This is not aggression but obedience—God has determined that Sihon's kingdom will fall to Israel.
Deuteronomy 2:24 in the Original Language
'Arnon' (אַרְנוֹן, arnon) — a major river forming a natural boundary between Moab to the south and Amorite territory to the north.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 2:24
What does Deuteronomy 2:24 mean?
God commands Israel to cross the Arnon and take the land of Sihon, the Amorite king, by military conquest.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 2:24?
God now commands Israel to cross the Arnon and conquer Sihon's kingdom, the first military conquest.