The Israelites traveled east of the Moabite territory, located between the Zered Brook in the south and the Arnon River in the north. The far side of the Arnon River was probably north and east of the main east–west canyon of the Arnon. This huge canyon acted as a natural boundary between Moab and the Amorite territory north of the Arnon (see 21:26).
The Amorites were a group of nomadic (traveling) peoples. During the Middle Bronze Age (about 2000–1500 BC), they conquered areas from Mesopotamia to Canaan. They even ruled important cities such as Babylon (around 1830 BC) and Assur (around 1750 BC).
Amorites living in the hill country of Canaan had frightened Israel’s spies (Deuteronomy 1:26–28). Later, they defeated Israel when the people tried to enter Canaan without God’s command (Numbers 14:44–45; see Deuteronomy 1:42–44).
When Israel arrived east of the Jordan River, the Amorites controlled much of that region. This area is called Transjordan, which means the land east of the Jordan (see study note on Numbers 21:26).