Deuteronomy 2:30 Meaning and Explanation
“But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Sihon refused Israel's peaceful proposal; God hardened his heart so that Israel would conquer him.
The Context of Deuteronomy 2:30
Sihon refuses Israel's peace proposal, and God hardens his heart to bring about his defeat.
What Does Deuteronomy 2:30 Mean?
Sihon rejected Israel's reasonable proposal for peaceful passage. The text attributes this to God hardening his spirit and making his heart obstinate. This divine hardening enabled God's plan: Sihon's refusal provoked the very war that would destroy him. The phrase 'as appeareth this day' reflects back on events now completed—this explanation comes after the fact.
The hardening of Sihon's heart raises a theological question: How can he be blamed for refusing if God hardened his heart? The text does not justify this but states it as part of Israel's understanding. It suggests that Sihon's refusal expressed his true character—his obstinacy—which God knew and allowed to lead to judgment. His destruction was just because he had rejected a fair alternative.
Deuteronomy 2:30 in the Original Language
'Hardened' (קָשָׁה, qashah), 'to be hard, stubborn, obstinate' — the same root used for Pharaoh's hardness in Exodus.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 2:30
What does Deuteronomy 2:30 mean?
Sihon refused Israel's peaceful proposal; God hardened his heart so that Israel would conquer him.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 2:30?
Sihon refuses Israel's peace proposal, and God hardens his heart to bring about his defeat.