Deu 1:1 | NETfull | STEP | This is what Moses said to the assembly of Israel in the Transjordanian wastelands, the arid country opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Di Zahab

Deuteronomy 1:1

1 This is what ^{▼▼ Heb “These are the words.”} Moses said to the assembly of Israel ^{▼▼ Heb “to all Israel.”} in the Transjordanian ^{▼▼ Heb “on the other side of the Jordan.” This would appear to favor authorship by someone living on the west side of the Jordan, that is, in Canaan, whereas the biblical tradition locates Moses on the east side (cf. v. 5). However the Hebrew phrase בְּעֵבֶר הַיּרְדֵּן (b^e’ever hayyr^eden) is a frozen form meaning “Transjordan,” a name appropriate from any geographical vantage point. To this day, one standing east of the Jordan can describe himself as being in Transjordan.} wastelands, the arid country opposite ^{▼▼ The Hebrew term מוֹל (mol) may also mean “in front of” or “near” (cf. NCV, TEV, CEV, NLT).} Suph, ^{▼▼ This place is otherwise unattested and its location is unknown. Perhaps it is Khirbet Sufah, 4 mi (6 km) SSE of Madaba, Jordan.} between ^{▼▼ The Hebrew term בֵּין (ben) may suggest “in the area of.”} Paran ^{▼▼ Paran is the well-known desert area between Mount Sinai and Kadesh Barnea (cf. Num 10:12; 12:16).} and Tophel, ^{▼▼ Tophel refers possibly to eṭ-Ṭafîleh, 15 mi (25 km) SE of the Dead Sea, or to Dâbîlu, another name for Paran. See H. Cazelles, “Tophel (Deut. 1:1),” VT 9 (1959): 412-15.} Laban, ^{▼▼ Laban. Perhaps this refers to Libnah (Num 33:20).} Hazeroth, ^{▼▼ Hazeroth. This probably refers to ʿAin Khadra. See Y. Aharoni, The Land of the Bible, 199–200.} and Di Zahab ^{▼▼ Di Zahab. Perhaps this refers to Mina al-Dhahab on the eastern Sinai coast.}