Let me pass through thy land: I will go along by the high way, I will neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left.
DEUTERONOMY 2:27KJVWhat does Deuteronomy 2:27 mean?
Deuteronomy 2:27 records Moses asking permission to pass through another nation’s land, promising to stick to the main road and not stray to either side. Moses assures the people he is addressing that the Israelites will not interfere with or take anything from their territory, just travel straight through.
In this verse, Moses is speaking to the king of Sihon, ruler of the Amorites, as the Israelites journey toward the Promised Land. The situation is tense, as the Israelites need safe passage and want to avoid conflict. Moses’s words emphasize respect for boundaries and a peaceful intention, highlighting the Israelites’ willingness to follow rules and not cause trouble as they travel.
The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 2:27
- The word for “pass” is עָבַר (ʿāvar), which means to cross over or go through. This stresses that the Israelites are not seeking to settle, just to move through the land.
- “Land” is אֶרֶץ (ʾerets), a common word for territory or country, clarifying that Moses is asking about a specific nation’s territory, not just open space.
- “Way” is דֶּרֶךְ (derekh), meaning road or path. By mentioning the “high way,” Moses refers to a main, established route, showing respect for order and minimizing disruption.
- The verbs “turn” (סוּר, sur), “right hand” (יָמִין, yamin), and “left” (שְׂמֹאל, semol) all reinforce the promise to stay strictly on the designated route, not wandering off into the surrounding land.
Why Deuteronomy 2:27 matters
- This verse clears up any idea that the Israelites were aggressive invaders at this point; Moses’s request is careful and peaceful, showing a desire to avoid unnecessary conflict.
- The emphasis on staying on the main road highlights respect for the sovereignty and property of others, which is a key theme in Israel’s journey narratives.
- In the wider context, this verse sets up the response of Sihon, which leads to a significant turning point in Israel’s journey, showing that their later actions were not out of initial hostility but necessity.