Deuteronomy 2:28 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 2:28 mean?

Deuteronomy 2:28 records Moses asking the people of a foreign land to sell him and the Israelites food and water for money as they pass through their territory, promising not to take anything by force but to pay fairly for what they need. This verse shows a request for peaceful passage, with respect for the property and resources of others.

Moses is speaking to the descendants of Esau or the people of Sihon, king of Heshbon, as the Israelites journey toward the Promised Land. The situation is tense, as the Israelites are a large group traveling through lands not their own, and Moses emphasizes their willingness to pay ("money"—Hebrew כֶּסֶף, keseph) for both food ("meat"—Hebrew לֶחֶם, lechem, meaning bread or food in general) and water. The request to "pass through on my feet" stresses that they seek only transit, not conquest or conflict.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 2:28

• כֶּסֶף (keseph, "money"): This word appears twice in the verse, highlighting the Israelites' intention to pay fairly and not take anything by force. It underscores a peaceful, transactional approach rather than aggression.
• לֶחֶם (lechem, "meat" in KJV, but more accurately "bread" or "food"): The Hebrew word usually means bread or food in general, not specifically meat. The request is for basic sustenance, not luxury or excess.
• עָבַר (avar, "pass through"): The verb means to cross over or pass through, reinforcing that the Israelites are not seeking to settle or invade, but simply to travel through the land.

Why Deuteronomy 2:28 matters

• The verse clarifies that the Israelites were not seeking to take land or resources by force, but to act honorably and pay for what they needed, which counters accusations of unjust aggression.
• The emphasis on paying for both food and water shows a respect for the property and well-being of the people whose land they are passing through, highlighting a principle of fairness and peaceful coexistence.
• In the wider context of Deuteronomy 2, this verse helps explain the Israelites' interactions with neighboring peoples during their journey, showing a pattern of seeking peaceful solutions before any conflict arose.