share torah logo

Deuteronomy 2:30 - Divine plan for victory.

Deuteronomy 2:30 - דברים 2:30

Hebrew Text

וְלֹא אָבָה סִיחֹן מֶלֶךְ חֶשְׁבּוֹן הַעֲבִרֵנוּ בּוֹ כִּי־הִקְשָׁה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֶת־רוּחוֹ וְאִמֵּץ אֶת־לְבָבוֹ לְמַעַן תִּתּוֹ בְיָדְךָ כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה׃

English Translation

But Siĥon king of Ḥeshbon would not let us pass by him: for the Lord thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as is apparent this day.

Transliteration

Velo ava Sichon melech Cheshbon ha'avirenu bo ki-hiksha Adonai Eloheicha et-rucho ve'imetz et-levavo lemaan tito beyadecha kayom haze.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְלֹ֣א אָבָ֗ה סִיחֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן הַעֲבִרֵ֖נוּ בּ֑וֹ כִּֽי־הִקְשָׁה֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ אֶת־רוּח֗וֹ וְאִמֵּץ֙ אֶת־לְבָב֔וֹ לְמַ֛עַן תִּתּ֥וֹ בְיָדְךָ֖ כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וְלֹ֣א אָבָ֗ה סִיחֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן הַעֲבִרֵ֖נוּ בּ֑וֹ כִּֽי־הִקְשָׁה֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ אֶת־רוּח֗וֹ וְאִמֵּץ֙ אֶת־לְבָב֔וֹ לְמַ֛עַן תִּתּ֥וֹ בְיָדְךָ֖ כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ {ס}        

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Devarim 2:30) recounts the refusal of Sichon, king of Cheshbon, to allow the Israelites to pass through his land peacefully. This event occurred during the Israelites' journey toward Eretz Yisrael, following their 40 years in the wilderness. The Torah emphasizes that Hashem hardened Sichon's spirit and strengthened his heart to ensure his defeat at the hands of Bnei Yisrael.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 2:30) explains that Hashem hardened Sichon's heart, much like He hardened Pharaoh's heart during the Exodus. This was a divine measure to bring about Sichon's downfall, as he was already wicked and deserving of punishment. Rashi notes that this hardening was not arbitrary but served the purpose of fulfilling justice—ensuring that Sichon would be defeated and his land given to the Israelites.

Rambam's Perspective on Divine Justice

Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 6:3) discusses the concept of divine hardening of the heart in the context of free will. He explains that when a person repeatedly sins and refuses to repent, Hashem may remove their ability to repent as a form of punishment. This aligns with Sichon's case—his persistent wickedness led to his heart being hardened, sealing his fate.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 1:19) elaborates that Sichon's stubbornness was a manifestation of his arrogance. By refusing the Israelites passage—despite their peaceful request—he demonstrated his defiance of Hashem's will. The hardening of his heart was thus a consequence of his own moral failures, allowing his downfall to serve as a lesson in divine justice.

Theological Implications

  • Divine Providence: The verse underscores Hashem's active role in guiding history, ensuring that even the actions of enemies serve His greater plan.
  • Justice for the Wicked: Sichon's fate illustrates that those who oppose Hashem's will ultimately face consequences, reinforcing the principle of middah k'neged middah (measure for measure).
  • Israel's Inheritance: The hardening of Sichon's heart facilitated the Israelites' conquest of his land, fulfilling the promise of Eretz Yisrael as their inheritance.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 47a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about divine intervention in human affairs, particularly how God hardens the hearts of the wicked to bring about His will.
📖 Sanhedrin 105a
The verse is cited in a broader discussion about the nature of kings and their decisions, illustrating how God influences the actions of rulers for His purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Sihon king of Heshbon refuse to let the Israelites pass through his land?
A: The verse explains that Hashem hardened Sihon's spirit and made his heart obstinate (Devarim 2:30). Rashi explains that this was a Divine plan so that Sihon would attack Israel, allowing them to rightfully conquer his land as part of their inheritance.
Q: What does it mean that Hashem 'hardened Sihon's spirit'?
A: According to traditional Jewish interpretation, this doesn't mean Hashem removed Sihon's free will. Rather, as Rambam explains (Hilchot Teshuva 6:3), when people repeatedly sin, Hashem may make it harder for them to repent. Sihon's longstanding wickedness led to this outcome.
Q: Why was it important for Israel to conquer Sihon's land?
A: The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 19:33) teaches that Sihon's territory was part of the lands originally promised to Avraham. Hashem orchestrated events so Israel could rightfully claim this inheritance, showing Divine providence in their journey.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Sihon's stubbornness?
A: The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 5a) derives from this that when Hashem gives someone opportunities to do good and they refuse, those opportunities may be taken away. Sihon could have peacefully let Israel pass, but his stubbornness led to his downfall.
Q: How does this verse show Hashem's involvement in history?
A: As the Sforno explains, the phrase 'as is apparent this day' shows this was clearly a Divine act, not just random events. The conquest of Sihon's land demonstrated Hashem's active role in fulfilling promises to Israel and shaping their national destiny.