And when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession.

DEUTERONOMY 2:19KJV
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Deuteronomy 2:19 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 2:19 mean?

Deuteronomy 2:19 instructs the Israelites not to harass or provoke the people of Ammon as they pass near their land, because God has given that territory to the descendants of Lot, not to Israel. The verse makes clear that Israel is not to claim or take possession of Ammonite land.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they journey toward the Promised Land. He tells them that, just as with Edom and Moab, they must respect the boundaries of Ammon, since God has assigned that land to another people group—specifically, the children of Lot. This command is part of a larger section where Moses recounts Israel’s travels and God’s instructions regarding neighboring nations.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 2:19

  • "Distress" (צָרַר, tsarar, H6696) means to press, harass, or trouble. Here, it emphasizes that the Israelites are not to act aggressively toward Ammon.
  • "Meddle" (תָּגָע, taga', H1624) carries the sense of interfering or contending. The instruction is not just to avoid fighting, but also not to involve themselves in Ammon’s affairs.
  • "Possession" (יְרֻשָּׁה, yerushah, H3425) refers to an inheritance or allotted land. The verse highlights that Ammon’s land is a specific inheritance given by God to the descendants of Lot, setting a clear boundary for Israel.

Why Deuteronomy 2:19 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God set boundaries for different peoples, and Israel was to respect those limits, even during their conquest.
  • It shows that God’s promises and gifts to other nations are to be honored, not just those given to Israel.
  • The verse connects to the broader theme in Deuteronomy 2, where Israel is repeatedly told to avoid conflict with certain neighboring nations because of God’s prior commitments to those peoples.

Where else these words appear

“possession” Hebrew H3425 · used in 12 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:5 Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.
  • Deuteronomy 3:20 Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan: and then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I have given you.
  • Judges 21:17 And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.

“meddle” Hebrew H1624 · used in 13 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:5 Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.
  • 2 Chronicles 25:19 Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?
  • Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

“Lot” Hebrew H3876 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 11:27 Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
  • Genesis 13:11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
  • Genesis 19:12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:

“against” Hebrew H4136 · used in 34 verses

  • Exodus 18:19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
  • Numbers 8:3 And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • Joshua 22:11 And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.