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Deuteronomy 2:19 - Divine boundaries for nations' lands

Deuteronomy 2:19 - דברים 2:19

Hebrew Text

וְקָרַבְתָּ מוּל בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן אַל־תְּצֻרֵם וְאַל־תִּתְגָּר בָּם כִּי לֹא־אֶתֵּן מֵאֶרֶץ בְּנֵי־עַמּוֹן לְךָ יְרֻשָּׁה כִּי לִבְנֵי־לוֹט נְתַתִּיהָ יְרֻשָּׁה׃

English Translation

and when thou comest near, opposite the children of ῾Ammon, harass them not, nor contend with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of ῾Ammon any possession; because I have given it to the children of Lot for a possession.

Transliteration

Vekaravta mul bnei amon al-tzurem ve'al-titgar bam ki lo-eten me'eretz bnei-amon lecha yerusha ki livnei-lot netatiha yerusha.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְקָרַבְתָּ֗ מ֚וּל בְּנֵ֣י עַמּ֔וֹן אַל־תְּצֻרֵ֖ם וְאַל־תִּתְגָּ֣ר בָּ֑ם כִּ֣י לֹֽא־אֶ֠תֵּ֠ן מֵאֶ֨רֶץ בְּנֵי־עַמּ֤וֹן לְךָ֙ יְרֻשָּׁ֔ה כִּ֥י לִבְנֵי־ל֖וֹט נְתַתִּ֥יהָ יְרֻשָּֽׁה׃
וְקָרַבְתָּ֗ מ֚וּל בְּנֵ֣י עַמּ֔וֹן אַל־תְּצֻרֵ֖ם וְאַל־תִּתְגָּ֣ר בָּ֑ם כִּ֣י לֹֽא־אֶ֠תֵּ֠ן מֵאֶ֨רֶץ בְּנֵי־עַמּ֤וֹן לְךָ֙ יְרֻשָּׁ֔ה כִּ֥י לִבְנֵי־ל֖וֹט נְתַתִּ֥יהָ יְרֻשָּֽׁה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 2:19, where Moshe recounts Hashem's instructions to Bnei Yisrael regarding their interactions with neighboring nations as they approach Eretz Yisrael. The verse specifically addresses the prohibition against provoking or conquering the children of Ammon (Bnei Ammon).

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 2:19) explains that the land of Ammon was divinely designated as an inheritance for the descendants of Lot (Bnei Lot), specifically the children of Ammon and Moav. Hashem had already granted them this territory, and therefore, Bnei Yisrael were forbidden from taking it. Rashi emphasizes that this prohibition applies even though Ammon and Moav later acted hostilely toward Israel (e.g., in the time of Balak). The sanctity of their ancestral inheritance remains intact due to Hashem's original decree.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 5:1) cites this verse as part of the Torah's laws regarding warfare. He clarifies that Bnei Yisrael were commanded to first offer peace to certain nations before engaging in battle, but Ammon and Moav were exceptions—they were not to be attacked at all, as their land was not part of the divinely promised inheritance for Israel.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Devarim 2) highlights the righteousness of Lot, whose merit earned his descendants this inheritance. Despite Lot's flaws, his willingness to host angels in Sodom (Bereishit 19) demonstrated hospitality, a trait valued by Hashem.
  • The Sifrei (Devarim 2:19) notes that this prohibition underscores the principle of divine justice—Hashem honors commitments even to nations outside the covenant with Israel.

Halachic Implications

The verse establishes a permanent boundary for Eretz Yisrael, excluding Ammon and Moav. Ramban (Devarim 2:9) adds that this prohibition applies even in future generations, reinforcing the sanctity of territorial divisions set by Hashem. The Chazon Ish (Eretz Yisrael 7:4) discusses how such boundaries reflect the divine will in land allocation, even beyond the immediate context of conquest.

Moral Lesson

This commandment teaches the importance of respecting divinely ordained boundaries and the property rights of others, even those outside Bnei Yisrael. The Kli Yakar (Devarim 2:19) suggests that this restraint also served to refine Bnei Yisrael's character, ensuring they did not become overly aggressive in their conquests.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 60b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the boundaries of the Land of Israel and the lands that were given to other nations, specifically mentioning the prohibition against taking the land of Ammon.
📖 Bava Kamma 38b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the ethical treatment of other nations and the divine commandments regarding territorial conquests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why were the Israelites commanded not to fight the Ammonites?
A: The Torah (Deuteronomy 2:19) states that Hashem commanded the Israelites not to harass or fight the Ammonites because their land was given to them as an inheritance, as they were descendants of Lot (Avraham's nephew). This teaches us that Hashem assigns specific territories to nations, and we must respect those boundaries.
Q: Who were the children of Ammon, and why were they connected to Lot?
A: The children of Ammon were descendants of Ben-Ammi, the son of Lot (Abraham's nephew) and his younger daughter (Genesis 19:38). Since Lot was considered part of Abraham's family, Hashem granted his descendants their own portion of land, separate from the Land of Israel given to the Jewish people.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this verse about respecting other nations?
A: This verse teaches that Hashem assigns lands to different nations, and we must respect those divine allocations. The Ramban (Nachmanides) explains that this principle applies even to nations that were not always righteous, showing that divine justice includes territorial rights for all peoples.
Q: Does this mean the Ammonites were always at peace with Israel?
A: No, later in history, the Ammonites often became enemies of Israel (e.g., during the time of King David). However, at this point in the Torah, Hashem commanded the Israelites not to provoke them because their land was divinely allotted to them. Conflicts later arose due to Ammonite aggression, not Israelite initiation.
Q: How does this verse relate to the concept of 'Eretz Yisrael' (Land of Israel)?
A: This verse highlights that while Eretz Yisrael was promised to the Jewish people, other nations also received their own designated lands. Rashi emphasizes that just as Ammon's territory was divinely assigned, so too was Israel's—teaching us that borders in the region are determined by Hashem's will, not human conquest alone.