Numbers 21:24 - Israel struck him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, even to the children of Ammon; for the border of the children of Ammon was strong.
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What does "Numbers 21:24" mean?
Numbers 21:24 describes Israel's victory over Sihon, the Amorite king. Let's break down the verse:
"Israel struck him with the edge of the sword..." This refers to Israel defeating Sihon in battle. The "edge of the sword" is a common expression for a military victory achieved through combat.
"...and possessed his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok..." This defines the extent of the territory Israel conquered from Sihon. The Arnon and the Jabbok are two rivers. The Arnon formed Sihon's southern border, and the Jabbok formed his northern border. Israel now controlled all the land between these rivers.
"...even to the children of Ammon; for the border of the children of Ammon was strong." This clarifies that Israel's conquest stopped at the border of the Ammonites. Despite defeating Sihon, Israel did not encroach on Ammonite territory. The reason given is "the border of the children of Ammon was strong," suggesting the Ammonites had a well-defended territory that Israel chose not to challenge. This could be due to a stronger Ammonite military, a divine command not to attack them (as hinted at in Deuteronomy 2:19), or a strategic decision not to overextend their forces.
In summary, the verse states that Israel conquered Sihon's Amorite kingdom, taking control of the land between the Arnon and Jabbok rivers, but stopped at the Ammonite border due to its strength.
This verse is significant because it shows the early stages of Israel's conquest of Canaan. It also highlights the limitations of that conquest; Israel did not simply seize any land they desired, but apparently respected (or at least avoided) certain borders.
Numbers 21:24 - Israel struck him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, even to the children of Ammon; for the border of the children of Ammon was strong.
What does "Numbers 21:24" mean?
Numbers 21:24 describes Israel's victory over Sihon, the Amorite king. Let's break down the verse:
"Israel struck him with the edge of the sword..." This refers to Israel defeating Sihon in battle. The "edge of the sword" is a common expression for a military victory achieved through combat.
"...and possessed his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok..." This defines the extent of the territory Israel conquered from Sihon. The Arnon and the Jabbok are two rivers. The Arnon formed Sihon's southern border, and the Jabbok formed his northern border. Israel now controlled all the land between these rivers.
"...even to the children of Ammon; for the border of the children of Ammon was strong." This clarifies that Israel's conquest stopped at the border of the Ammonites. Despite defeating Sihon, Israel did not encroach on Ammonite territory. The reason given is "the border of the children of Ammon was strong," suggesting the Ammonites had a well-defended territory that Israel chose not to challenge. This could be due to a stronger Ammonite military, a divine command not to attack them (as hinted at in Deuteronomy 2:19), or a strategic decision not to overextend their forces.
In summary, the verse states that Israel conquered Sihon's Amorite kingdom, taking control of the land between the Arnon and Jabbok rivers, but stopped at the Ammonite border due to its strength.
This verse is significant because it shows the early stages of Israel's conquest of Canaan. It also highlights the limitations of that conquest; Israel did not simply seize any land they desired, but apparently respected (or at least avoided) certain borders.