Deuteronomy 2

Deuteronomy 2:1

AS the Lord spake] Numbers 14:25.

mount Seir] That is, the Countrey of Idumea, which was mountainous; called Idumea, as it were Edomea, from Esau, who was called Edom; and it was called Seir also, (for so was he called) The word signifies hairie, as he was: See Annot. on Numbers 24:18.

Deuteronomy 2:3

North-ward] That is, toward the land of Promise, which is North-ward to those that travell out of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 2:4

brethren] Numbers 20:14.

shall be afraid] God is able to give, and take away courage as he pleaseth: by making them afraid, no doubt he made them give consent to let them passe by the borders of their Countrey, though they denied their passage through it, Numbers 20:21.

take ye good heed] In the precedent words it is said, they of mount Seir shall be afraid of the Israelites; and here it is said, the Israelites must take heed; a caveat which might seeme more pertinent to their adversaries, yet indeed, since God had cast a feare upon them, the Israelites of whom they were afraid, ought in feare of God to take heed to the charge he giveth of them; and that was, that as their feare of the Israelites was securitie to the Israelites that they should receive no hurt from the Inhabitants of mount Seir, so the Israelites upon this prohibition forbearing all violent acts against them, they were more afraid then hurt: For Gods favour to us binds us to shew the more obedience to him in whatsoever he commands or forbids, Deuteronomy 4:9. & Deuteronomy 12:19. Malachi 2:15-16.

Deuteronomy 2:5

because I have given] Not onely by my generall providence alotting every one his portion, which by the same providence I transferre from one to another at my pleasure; but I give an especiall grant for securing his possession against your invasion, though afterwards when his posteritie have made up the measure of their iniquitie (as Gen. 15. vers. 16.) they may be expelled out of their possession.

Deuteronomy 2:6

buy meat] They had Manna to eate, yet they might eate other meates, when they could get them; but of that they had a certaine and constant provision, Exodus 16:16.

Deuteronomy 2:7

• he knoweth] A figure called Meiosis whereby more is meant then is exprest; as not onely Gods knowing, but his ordering, and governing their walking through the wildernesse. Psalms 1:6.

Deuteronomy 2:9

I will not give thee of their land] This is to be understood of the land whereof they were peaceably possessed at that time; but there was a part of the land of Moab of which a great while ago they were dispossed by the Amorites, and this land (though in the hands of other Lords) was called many times by the old name, the land of Moab: in this was mount Nebo where Moses died, Chap. 34. 1. 5.

children of Lot] The Moabites descended from his incestuous issue, Moab; yet God is so gracious, that for Lots sake, who sinned of ignorance, and served God with uprightnesse, rather then for their owne, he giveth this order for their peaceable possession. The godly are not forgotten by God, though many yeares after they bee out of memory with men. See vers. 19. where there is the like charge given concerning the children of Ammon, where Lot is againe mentioned as the roote of that stock, on which God set so much favour as extends to the branches stretched out afarre off.

Ar] The chiefe Citie of the Moabites, Numbers 21:15. 28.

Deuteronomy 2:10

• Emims] That is, terrible ones: for their tall stature, and tyrannicall oppression. Some derive the word from Ema, which in Hebrew signifieth terrour. Others from Amma, in the same language signifying a cubit, as men of a large cubit: or by their tall stature consisting of many cubits. By the expulsion of these Emims out of their possession, Moses encourageth the people to the conquest of Canaan. Genesis 14:5.

Deuteronomy 2:12

as Israel did] That is, Esau drave out the Horims, as the Israelites did those people whose land they possessed; to wit the land of Og, and Sihon: whereof see Numbers 21:24. & vers. 35. Or the words may be read, as Israel shall doe: which may be the meaning of the words, as a prophetick speech, spoken (by way of assurance) in the preter tense.

Deuteronomy 2:14

as the Lord sware] He sheweth hereby, that as God is true in his promises, so his threatnings are not in vaine; but are sure to take effect to the confusion of the wicked, as his promises to be performed to the comfort of the godly.

Deuteronomy 2:19

children of Lot] See Annot. on vers. 9.

Deuteronomy 2:20

Zamzummims] That is, boysterous, or presumptuous, or abominable wicked ones, though they called themselves Rephaims, that is, Physicians, or preservers: they are called Zuizims, Genesis 14:5.

Deuteronomy 2:23

• Arims] * Joshua 13:3.

Deuteronomy 2:24

• Arnon] * Numbers 21:13.

Deuteronomy 2:25

put the dread] This declares that the hearts of men are in Gods hands, either to be made faint, or bold: See Annot. on vers. 4. & Numb. 22. vers. 3.

Deuteronomy 2:26

• sent messenges] * Numbers 21:21.

Deuteronomy 2:27

• let me passe] * Judg. 11. 19.

Deuteronomy 2:29

children of Esau] Called (after his other name) Edomites; who, albeit they had denied them passage through their land, yet allowed them to coast along their borders, and furnished them with necessaries for their money. So vers. 28. compared with this 29, Numbers 20:20,21.

Deuteronomy 2:30

hardened] See Annot. on Exodus 4:21. & on Chap. 10. 1.

Deuteronomy 2:33

] Chap 29. 7.

Deuteronomy 2:34

utterly destroyed] God had cursed Canaan, and therefore he would not that any of his wicked race should be preserved. Deuteronomy 20:16. Leviticus 27:28. Job 18. 16, 17.

Deuteronomy 2:35

onely the cattell] Chap. 3. 7.

Deuteronomy 2:36

God delivered] Though they were so many thousand able men for the warres, yet the victory is ascribed to the Lord of Hosts, and not assumed to themselves, Psalms 44:3.

Deuteronomy 2:37

river Jabbok] Neere which Jacob wrastled with the Angel, Genesis 32:22. it appertaineth to the possession of the Ammonites, Judg. 11. 15.