Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not, nor unto any place of the river Jabbok, nor unto the cities in the mountains, nor unto whatsoever the LORD our God forbad us.

DEUTERONOMY 2:37KJV
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Deuteronomy 2:37 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 2:37 mean?

Deuteronomy 2:37 states that the Israelites did not enter or attack the land of the Ammonites, nor did they go near the river Jabbok or the mountain cities, because God had specifically forbidden them from doing so. The verse emphasizes that the Israelites obeyed God’s command and respected the boundaries He set for them.

In this verse, Moses is recounting to the Israelites their journey toward the Promised Land. He reminds them that, even as they conquered other territories, they avoided the land of the Ammonites and certain other areas because God (using the word יְהוָה, "YHWH," for "LORD" and אֱלֹהִים, "Elohim," for "God") had commanded (צָוָה, "tsavah," meaning "forbad" or "commanded") them not to interfere. This sets the scene for how the Israelites were to respect God’s instructions regarding which lands they could and could not take.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 2:37

  • עַם־עַמּוֹן (Ammon, "Ammon" — H5983): This refers to the descendants of Ammon, a neighboring people east of Israel. The verse makes clear that their territory was off-limits, showing a respect for boundaries set by God.
  • נַחַל יַבֹּק (nachal Yabbok, "river Jabbok" — H5158, H2999): The Jabbok River marked a natural border. Mentioning it highlights the specific geographic limits God gave the Israelites.
  • צָוָה (tsavah, "forbad" or "commanded" — H6680): This word is used for God's direct command. It underlines that the Israelites’ restraint was not due to fear or weakness, but obedience to a divine order.

Why Deuteronomy 2:37 matters

  • Deuteronomy 2:37 clarifies that Israel’s conquest was not a free-for-all; they acted within strict boundaries set by God, which helps correct the idea that they attacked indiscriminately.
  • The verse highlights the importance of obedience to God’s specific instructions, even when military opportunity was present.
  • This verse connects to the larger narrative in Deuteronomy, where Moses is teaching the new generation about faithfulness and the importance of listening to God’s voice as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

Where else these words appear

“Jabbok” Hebrew H2999 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 32:22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
  • Deuteronomy 3:16 And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the river Arnon half the valley, and the border even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon;
  • Judges 11:13 And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those lands again peaceably.

“Ammon” Hebrew H5983 · used in 98 verses

  • Genesis 19:38 And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.
  • Judges 12:1 And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:11 And the rest of the people he delivered unto the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in array against the children of Ammon.

“river” Hebrew H5158 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 26:17 And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
  • Judges 5:21 The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.
  • Job 28:4 The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.