Translations
Original
Notes
King Sihon had destroyed Moab’s towns from his center of operations at Heshbon.
This ancient song may have been an old Amorite ballad about the victories of King Sihon. It may have celebrated his power and success.
Other interpreters believe that Israelite singers wrote the song later. In this view, it was a taunt song meant to mock Sihon’s defeat and celebrate Israel’s victory.
The flow of the story from Numbers 21:26 to 21:27 supports the first view. Israel may have taken an older Amorite song and applied it to their own victory. Sihon and the Amorites had once defeated Moab. Now Israel had defeated them. Compare Judges 11:12–28.
The Israelite victories over King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan previewed the Hebrew conquest of Canaan. It came to represent God's promise to help his people when they were in need (see 13:10–12; Deuteronomy 2:24–3:7; Joshua 2:10; 9:10; 12:1–6; Judges 11:19–22; Nehemiah 9:22; Psalms 135:10–12; 136:17–22; Jeremiah 48:45–46).
Israel had left the wilderness before reaching Pisgah (compare Numbers 21:18, 23; 21:20). So, this story probably indicates an earlier event before the movement in 21:18–20.
As Israel journeyed to the promised land, they traveled from Mount Hor to the plains of Moab (22:1). The story of Israel's journey emphasizes the Lord's patient plan to lead Israel into Canaan despite their weaknesses.
The general direction of their travel is clear. However, the exact path they took is not known today. Many of the places mentioned are difficult to identify.
Archaeological evidence at some sites does not match the time usually connected with the wilderness period. Because of this, there are still serious questions about geography and history in the wilderness journey.
Parallels
People
Sihon: Amorite king of Heshbon, defeated by the Israelites
Places
Ar: The capital city of Moab Arnon: A river and valley, serving as a boundary for Israel Bamoth-baal: Moabite high place where Balak took Balaam Heshbon: Amorite city conquered by Moses, allotted to Reuben Moab: Ancient kingdom east of the Dead Sea in Jordan
Glossary
Amorites Ar Bamah Book of the Wars of the Lord Bronze Snake, Bronze Serpent Deuteronomy, Book of Heshbon Joshua, Book of Midian, Midianite Numbers, Book of Poetry, Biblical Shittim (Place) Sihon
Topics
Amorites: Conquest of Ar: Destruction of Heshbon of the Amorites High Places: Arnon Israel: Defeat the Amorites Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To the Mountains of Abarim: Sihon Conquered Moabites: Possessed Many and Great Cities Sihon: The Proverbial Chant Celebrating the Victory of Sihon Over the Moabites Song: War The Amorites: Deprived of Their Eastern Territory by Israel