And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land that was on this side Jordan, from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon;

DEUTERONOMY 3:8KJV
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Deuteronomy 3:8 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 3:8 mean?

Deuteronomy 3:8 describes how the Israelites, under Moses’ leadership, took possession of land from two Amorite kings on the east side of the Jordan River, stretching from the Arnon River up to Mount Hermon. This verse marks the specific territory that the Israelites gained before crossing into the land west of the Jordan.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites, reminding them of their recent victories as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The verse sets the geographical boundaries of the conquered land and highlights the transition from wandering in the wilderness to settling in a defined territory east of the Jordan.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 3:8

  • "side" (עֵבֶר, ʿeber): This word means "region" or "side," and here it refers specifically to the eastern side of the Jordan River, clarifying that the land taken was not yet in Canaan proper but in the Transjordan area.
  • "Amorites" (אֱמֹרִי, ʾEmori): The Amorites were a significant group in the region, and mentioning them by name underscores the importance and difficulty of the conquest.
  • "Arnon" (אַרְנוֹן, Arnon) and "Hermon" (חֶרְמוֹן, Hermon): These place names set clear northern and southern boundaries, helping the listener picture the exact stretch of land being discussed.

Why Deuteronomy 3:8 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s first territorial holdings were east of the Jordan, not in the land traditionally called Canaan, which helps explain later tribal allotments.
  • By naming the Amorite kings and the boundaries, the verse emphasizes the scale of the victory and the fulfillment of God’s promises up to that point.
  • The specific geography connects this moment to earlier stories in Numbers and Joshua, anchoring Israel’s journey in real places and events.

Where else these words appear

“Hermon” Hebrew H2768 · used in 13 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:9 ( Which Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;)
  • Joshua 12:1 Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:
  • 1 Chronicles 5:23 And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.

“Arnon” Hebrew H769 · used in 23 verses

  • Numbers 21:13 From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.
  • Deuteronomy 2:36 From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:
  • Joshua 13:16 And their coast was from Aroer, that is on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain by Medeba;

“side” Hebrew H5676 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 50:10 And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
  • Joshua 9:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
  • 2 Samuel 10:16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.

“Amorites” Hebrew H567 · used in 86 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Deuteronomy 1:27 And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
  • Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.