Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon was the border of Moab.

JUDGES 11:18KJV
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Judges 11:18 (KJV)

What does Judges 11:18 mean?

Judges 11:18 describes how the Israelites, during their journey to the Promised Land, traveled through the wilderness, circled around the territories of Edom and Moab, and camped on the far side of the Arnon River without entering Moab’s land, since the Arnon marked Moab’s border. The verse emphasizes that the Israelites respected the boundaries of Moab and did not invade its territory.

In this verse, Jephthah is speaking to the king of the Ammonites, recounting Israel’s journey after leaving Egypt. Jephthah is explaining that the Israelites deliberately avoided conflict with Edom and Moab by traveling around their lands and stopping at the Arnon River, which was recognized as Moab’s border. This historical summary is part of Jephthah’s argument that Israel did not wrong the Ammonites or take their land unjustly.

The Hebrew behind Judges 11:18

  • "Wilderness" (מִדְבָּר, midbar): This word refers to a wild, uncultivated area, highlighting the difficult and desolate route the Israelites took rather than passing through settled lands.
  • "Compassed" (סָבַב, savav): This verb means to go around or circle, showing that the Israelites intentionally avoided direct passage through Edom and Moab, respecting their borders.
  • "Side" (קֶדֶם, qedem): This word often means "east" or "in front," clarifying that the Israelites traveled along the eastern edge of Moab’s territory, not through its heart.
  • "Border" (גְּבוּל, gevul): This term marks a clear territorial boundary, underlining that the Israelites recognized and honored the established borders of Moab at the Arnon River.

Why Judges 11:18 matters

  • Judges 11:18 clarifies that the Israelites made efforts to avoid conflict with neighboring nations, which is important for understanding the fairness of their later actions.
  • The verse supports Jephthah’s argument that Israel did not take land from Moab or Ammon by force, countering the Ammonite king’s accusations.
  • This detail helps set the context for the dispute between Israel and Ammon, showing that Israel’s actions were deliberate and respectful of other nations’ boundaries.

Where else these words appear

“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 13:9 From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon;

“side” Hebrew H4217 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 27:13 And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
  • Joshua 16:5 And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus: even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper;
  • 2 Chronicles 4:4 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.

“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 7:7 And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!
  • 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.

“Edom” Hebrew H123 · used in 93 verses

  • Genesis 25:30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
  • 1 Kings 11:15 For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom;
  • Psalms 137:7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.