Num 21:13-15 | TNotes | STEP | 21:13 The Israelites traveled to the east of the Moabite territory that lay between the Zered Brook on the south and the Arnon River on the north. The far side of the Arnon River was probably north and east of the main east–west canyon of the Arnon; this “Grand Canyon” was an effective natural boundary line between Moab and the territory of the Amorites north of the Arnon (see 21:26 ). • The Amorites were a group of nomadic peoples who had conquered areas from Mesopotamia to Canaan in the Middle Bronze Age (about 2000–1500 BC ), including Babylon (around 1830 BC ) and Assur (around 1750 BC ). Amorites living in the hill country of Canaan had terrified Israel’s spies (Deut 1:26-28 ) and had then repelled Israel’s misguided attempt to enter Canaan (Num 14:44-45 ; see Deut 1:42-44 ). At the time of Israel’s arrival, Amorites had gained control of much of Transjordan (the area east of the Jordan); see study note on Num 21:26.

a21:13►

b21:26►

cDeut 1:26-28►

dNum 14:44-45►

eDeut 1:42-44►

f21:14-15►

gJosh 10:13►

h2 Sam 1:18►

i21:28►

jDeut 2:18►

kIsa 15:1►

‏ Numbers 21:13-15

21:13 ^a The Israelites traveled to the east of the Moabite territory that lay between the Zered Brook on the south and the Arnon River on the north. The far side of the Arnon River was probably north and east of the main east–west canyon of the Arnon; this “Grand Canyon” was an effective natural boundary line between Moab and the territory of the Amorites north of the Arnon (see 21:26 ^b).

• The Amorites were a group of nomadic peoples who had conquered areas from Mesopotamia to Canaan in the Middle Bronze Age (about 2000–1500 BC), including Babylon (around 1830 BC) and Assur (around 1750 BC). Amorites living in the hill country of Canaan had terrified Israel’s spies (Deut 1:26-28 ^c) and had then repelled Israel’s misguided attempt to enter Canaan (Num 14:44-45 ^d; see Deut 1:42-44 ^e). At the time of Israel’s arrival, Amorites had gained control of much of Transjordan (the area east of the Jordan); see study note on Num 21:26.
Summary for Num 21:14-15: 21:14-15 ^f The Book of the Wars of the Lord, analogous to The Book of Jashar (Josh 10:13 ^g; 2 Sam 1:18 ^h), is otherwise unknown.

• Waheb (a town) and Suphah (a region) are otherwise unknown. Ar was one of the major Moabite settlements of that day (cp. 21:28 ⁱ; Deut 2:18 ^j; Isa 15:1 ^k).