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Deuteronomy 2:9 - Divine boundaries for Moab's land

Deuteronomy 2:9 - דברים 2:9

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֵלַי אֶל־תָּצַר אֶת־מוֹאָב וְאַל־תִּתְגָּר בָּם מִלְחָמָה כִּי לֹא־אֶתֵּן לְךָ מֵאַרְצוֹ יְרֻשָּׁה כִּי לִבְנֵי־לוֹט נָתַתִּי אֶת־עָר יְרֻשָּׁה׃

English Translation

And the Lord said to me, Do not harass Mo᾽av, nor contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land for a possession; because I have given ῾Ar to the children of Lot for a possession.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Adonai elai al-tatzar et-Moav ve'al-titgar bam milchama ki lo-eten lecha me'artzo yerusha ki livnei-Lot natati et-Ar yerusha.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֵלַ֗י אַל־תָּ֙צַר֙ אֶת־מוֹאָ֔ב וְאַל־תִּתְגָּ֥ר בָּ֖ם מִלְחָמָ֑ה כִּ֠י לֹֽא־אֶתֵּ֨ן לְךָ֤ מֵֽאַרְצוֹ֙ יְרֻשָּׁ֔ה כִּ֣י לִבְנֵי־ל֔וֹט נָתַ֥תִּי אֶת־עָ֖ר יְרֻשָּֽׁה׃
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֵלַ֗י אַל־תָּ֙צַר֙ אֶת־מוֹאָ֔ב וְאַל־תִּתְגָּ֥ר בָּ֖ם מִלְחָמָ֑ה כִּ֠י לֹֽא־אֶתֵּ֨ן לְךָ֤ מֵֽאַרְצוֹ֙ יְרֻשָּׁ֔ה כִּ֣י לִבְנֵי־ל֔וֹט נָתַ֥תִּי אֶת־עָ֖ר יְרֻשָּֽׁה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Devarim 2:9) appears in the Torah as part of Moshe's recounting of Bnei Yisrael's journey through the wilderness. Hashem instructs the Israelites not to provoke or wage war against Moav, as their land was divinely designated for the descendants of Lot.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 2:9) clarifies that Moav was protected from conquest because they were descendants of Lot, Avraham Avinu's nephew. Hashem had already granted them the territory of Ar as an inheritance. Rashi further notes that this prohibition was temporary—later, in the time of David Hamelech, Moav was subdued when they acted with hostility toward Israel (see Shmuel II 8:2).

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Melachim (5:1), the Rambam codifies that certain nations, including Moav, were initially forbidden to attack unless they provoked war first. This halacha reflects the principle of divine allocation of lands to nations, as stated in this verse.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 1:19) emphasizes that Hashem's promise to Lot's descendants was a reward for Lot's initial righteousness in accompanying Avraham to Canaan, despite later moral failings.
  • Another teaching (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:23) highlights that Moav's protection was conditional—once they hired Bilam to curse Israel (Bamidbar 22-24), they forfeited this privilege in future generations.

Halachic Implications

The Gemara (Chullin 60b) discusses why Ammon and Moav were singled out for this prohibition, linking it to their ancestral connection to Lot. The Sages derive from this verse that nations related to Israel (through Avraham) were granted certain protections unless they acted as enemies.

Moral Lesson

The Kli Yakar (Devarim 2:9) teaches that this command demonstrates Hashem's faithfulness to His promises—even to the descendants of Lot. It serves as a reminder that divine justice extends to all nations, not just Israel, and that territorial rights are determined by Hashem's will.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Hashem tell the Israelites not to fight Moav?
A: Hashem commanded the Israelites not to fight Moav because He had already given the land of Ar to the descendants of Lot (Moav's ancestor) as their inheritance. This teaches us that Hashem assigns specific lands to nations and expects us to respect those boundaries (Rashi on Deuteronomy 2:9).
Q: What is the significance of Moav being descendants of Lot?
A: Moav descended from Lot, Avraham's nephew, showing that Hashem honors familial connections. Even though Lot separated from Avraham, Hashem still granted his descendants territory, demonstrating divine mercy and the importance of family ties (Midrash Tanchuma, Devarim 2).
Q: Does this verse teach us about respecting other nations' lands?
A: Yes, this verse emphasizes that Hashem allocates lands to different nations, and we must respect those boundaries. The Torah later prohibits seizing land unjustly, teaching the importance of ethical conduct even in warfare (Rambam, Hilchot Melachim 6:1).
Q: Why is the city of Ar mentioned specifically?
A: Ar was a prominent city in Moav's territory. By mentioning it, the Torah highlights that Moav's entire region—symbolized by its major city—was divinely designated for Lot's descendants, reinforcing the permanence of this divine allocation (Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 2:9).
Q: How does this apply to us today?
A: This teaches that Hashem has a plan for all nations, and we must respect the sovereignty of others. It also reminds us that our own right to the Land of Israel is divinely ordained, not merely a political claim (Sforno on Deuteronomy 2:9).