What does Deuteronomy 2:19 mean?
"And when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession." - Deuteronomy 2:19
Deuteronomy 2:19 (KJV) states: "And when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession."
In order to fully understand the meaning and significance of this verse, it is essential to examine it in its larger context within the book of Deuteronomy. The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Old Testament and is attributed to Moses. It primarily consists of Moses' farewell address to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The book contains a series of speeches in which Moses recounts the events of the Israelites' journey from Egypt and emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's laws in order to secure the blessings of the Promised Land.
In Deuteronomy 2:19, Moses is recounting the Israelites' experiences as they journeyed through the wilderness. The verse specifically addresses the Israelites' encounters with the descendants of Lot, who were the children of Ammon and the children of Moab. The verse instructs the Israelites not to distress the children of Ammon or meddle with them, as God had given them the land of the children of Ammon as their possession.
One of the key themes in this verse is the concept of boundaries and respect for the possessions of others. The Israelites are being reminded to respect the rights of the children of Ammon and not to encroach upon their land. This reflects broader themes in the book of Deuteronomy, such as the importance of respecting property rights and honoring the boundaries set by God.
Another important theme in this verse is the idea of divine sovereignty and God's allocation of land. The verse emphasizes that it is God who ultimately determines the possession of land, and it is not for the Israelites to take what has been given to others. This underscores the importance of obedience to God's will and recognition of His authority in all matters, including the division of land.
Furthermore, the verse also illustrates the concept of inheritance. The land of the children of Ammon is portrayed as a possession that has been passed down from generation to generation, reflecting the idea of familial inheritance and the importance of honoring ancestral rights.
Symbolically, this verse can be seen as a reminder to the Israelites (and by extension, all believers) of the need to exercise restraint and respect in their interactions with others. It serves as a moral and ethical injunction to honor the possessions and boundaries of others and to act with integrity and humility in all circumstances. In a broader sense, it emphasizes the importance of upholding justice and fairness in human relationships, reflecting the principles of righteousness and compassion that are central to the teachings of the Bible.
In conclusion, Deuteronomy 2:19 conveys important ethical and moral principles that are rooted in the context of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. It emphasizes the themes of boundary respecting, divine sovereignty, inheritance, and ethical conduct, and serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding these principles in our own lives. As part of the larger narrative of the book of Deuteronomy, this verse contributes to the overall message of obedience to God's laws and the pursuit of justice and righteousness in all aspects of life.
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Deuteronomy 2:19 - "And when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession."
"And when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession." - Deuteronomy 2:19
Deuteronomy 19:2 - "Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it."
Deuteronomy 30:19:
Deuteronomy 5:19 - "Neither shalt thou steal."
Deuteronomy 10:19 - "Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."
Deuteronomy 14:19 - "And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten."
"Neither shalt thou steal." - Deuteronomy 5:19
Deuteronomy 19:7 - "Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee."
Deuteronomy 6:19 - "To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the LORD hath spoken."
Deuteronomy 19:19 - "Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you."
Deuteronomy 27:19 - "Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen."
Deuteronomy 19:16 - "¶ If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;"
Deuteronomy 12:19 - "Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth."
Deuteronomy 28:19 - "Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out."
Deuteronomy 32:19 - "And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters."
"Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it." - Deuteronomy 19:2
Deuteronomy 2:2 - "And the LORD spake unto me, saying,"
Deuteronomy 19:18 - "And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;"
Deuteronomy 19:20 - "And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you."
Deuteronomy 33:19 - "They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand."
Deuteronomy 19:10 - "That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee."
Deuteronomy 19:21 - "And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot."
Deuteronomy 19:12 - "Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die."
Deuteronomy 19:17 - "Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;"
Deuteronomy 19:13 - "Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee."
Deuteronomy 18:19 - "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him."
Deuteronomy 23:19 - "¶ Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:"
Deuteronomy 19:4 - "¶ And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;"
Deuteronomy 9:19 - "For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also."