Albert Barnes Commentary Deuteronomy 1
Albert Barnes Commentary
Deuteronomy 1
Albert Barnes Commentary
Deuteronomy 1
"These are the words which Moses spake unto all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah over against Suph, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Di-zahab. It is eleven days` [journey] from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadesh-barnea." — Deuteronomy 1:1-2 (ASV)
These verses serve as a connecting link between the contents of the preceding books and that of Deuteronomy, which now follows. The meaning of the passage could be stated as follows: “The discourses of Moses to the people up to the eleventh month of the fortieth year have now been recorded.”
The proper names that follow seem to belong to places where “words” of remarkable importance were spoken. Jewish commentators refer them to the spots that witnessed the people's more specific sins, and their mention here is interpreted as a significant rebuke. The Book of Deuteronomy is known among the Jews as “the book of reproofs.”
On this side of Jordan – Rather, “beyond Jordan” (as in Deuteronomy 3:20, Deuteronomy 3:25). The phrase was a standard designation for the district east of Jordan, and at times, when Greek became commonly spoken in the country, it was precisely represented by the proper name Peraea.
In the wilderness, in the plain – The first term generally denotes the Desert of Arabia; the latter was the sterile tract (the ‘Arabah,’ see note on Numbers 21:4) that stretches along the lower Jordan to the Dead Sea and continues from there to the Gulf of Aqaba.
Over against the Red Sea – This should be rendered: “over against Suph.” “Sea” is not in the original text. “Suph” is either the pass Es Sufah near Ain-el-Weibeh (see note on Numbers 13:26), or the name of the alluvial district (see note on Numbers 21:14).
Tophel is identified with Tufileh, the Tafyle of Burckhardt, still a considerable place, located a short distance southeast of the Dead Sea. Paran is probably “Mount Paran” (Deuteronomy 33:2) or a city of the same name near the mountain .
Laban is generally identified with Libnah (Numbers 33:20), and Hazeroth with Ain Hadherah (see note on Numbers 11:34); but the position of Dizahab is uncertain.
(Deuteronomy 1:2) For Kadesh, see note on Numbers 13:26; and for Horeb, see Exodus 3:1.
"after he had smitten Sihon the king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who dwelt in Ashtaroth, at Edrei." — Deuteronomy 1:4 (ASV)
Astaroth - Regarding this place, compare Genesis 14:5 and the note.
In Edrei - These words should, to make the meaning clear, follow "slain." The battle in which Sihon and Og were defeated took place at Edrei.
"Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying," — Deuteronomy 1:5 (ASV)
In the land of Moab - This district had formerly been occupied by the Moabites, and retained its name from them; but it had been conquered by the Amorites. Compare Numbers 21:25 (see note); and Numbers 22:5 (see note).
Declare - That is, explain the Law already declared.
"Jehovah our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mountain:" — Deuteronomy 1:6 (ASV)
The first and introductory address of Moses to the people begins here. It extends to (Deuteronomy 4:40); and is divided from the second discourse by the Deuteronomy 1:4 and Deuteronomy 4:41-49. A summary of the address is given in the chapter headings usually found in English Bibles.
"turn you, and take your journey, and go to the hill-country of the Amorites, and unto all [the places] nigh thereunto, in the Arabah, in the hill-country, and in the lowland, and in the South, and by the sea-shore, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates." — Deuteronomy 1:7 (ASV)
To the mount of the Amorites - that is, to the mountain district occupied by the Amorites, reaching into the Negeb, and part of the territory assigned to the tribe of Judah.
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