King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 4:46 Mean?

Deuteronomy 4:46 in the King James Version says “On this side Jordan, in the valley over against Bethpeor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbo... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

On this side Jordan, in the valley over against Bethpeor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel smote, after they were come forth out of Egypt:

Deuteronomy 4:46 · KJV


Context

44

And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel:

45

These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, after they came forth out of Egypt,

46

On this side Jordan, in the valley over against Bethpeor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel smote, after they were come forth out of Egypt:

47

And they possessed his land, and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, which were on this side Jordan toward the sunrising ;

48

From Aroer, which is by the bank of the river Arnon, even unto mount Sion, which is Hermon,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
On this side Jordan, in the valley over against Beth-peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites...

Moses anchors the law's promulgation in specific geography: be'ever haYarden (בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן, 'beyond the Jordan') in the valley (bagay, בַּגַּיְא) opposite Beth-peor. The name Beit Pe'or (בֵּית פְּעוֹר, 'house of Peor') recalls Israel's shameful apostasy at Baal-peor where they joined in Moabite idolatry (Numbers 25). Moses speaks where Israel sinned, making covenant renewal intensely relevant.

The land identification as erets Sichon melekh ha'Emori (אֶרֶץ סִיחֹן מֶלֶךְ הָאֱמֹרִי, 'land of Sihon king of the Amorites') reminds Israel of recent conquest. Where Sihon once ruled, Israel now gathers. His capital Heshbon (Cheshbon, חֶשְׁבּוֹן) has fallen. The defeated king becomes a testimony to God's power and faithfulness.

This geographical specificity serves theological purpose. Biblical revelation is not timeless mythology but historically rooted truth. The law was given at a real place, to real people, in real circumstances. Christianity inherits this incarnational approach to truth—God works through actual history, not abstract philosophy. The specific details invite verification: 'Go see where these things happened; the evidence remains.'

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Moses specifies the geographical location of his address: the plains of Moab in the valley opposite Beth-peor, in territory taken from Sihon king of the Amorites. This recent military victory (Deuteronomy 2:26-37) occurred just before Moses' final speeches, demonstrating God's faithfulness in giving Israel the land east of Jordan as prelude to Canaan proper.

Reflection Questions

  1. What significance is there in Moses giving covenant instruction at the very location where Israel had previously sinned at Baal-peor?
  2. How does the historical and geographical specificity of Scripture strengthen your confidence in its reliability?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
בְּעֵ֨בֶר1 of 20

On this side

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

הַיַּרְדֵּ֜ן2 of 20

Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

בַּגַּ֗יְא3 of 20

in the valley

H1516

a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)

מ֚וּל4 of 20

over against

H4136

properly, abrupt, i.e., a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially (with prepositional prefix) opposite

בֵּ֣ית5 of 20
H0
פְּע֔וֹר6 of 20

Bethpeor

H1047

beth-peor, a place east of the jordan

בְּאֶ֗רֶץ7 of 20

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

סִיחֹן֙8 of 20

of Sihon

H5511

sichon, an amoritish king

מֶ֣לֶךְ9 of 20

king

H4428

a king

הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י10 of 20

of the Amorites

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

אֲשֶׁ֥ר11 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יוֹשֵׁ֖ב12 of 20

who dwelt

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּחֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן13 of 20

at Heshbon

H2809

cheshbon, a place east of the jordan

אֲשֶׁ֨ר14 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִכָּ֤ה15 of 20

smote

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

מֹשֶׁה֙16 of 20

whom Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וּבְנֵ֣י17 of 20

and the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל18 of 20

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בְּצֵאתָ֖ם19 of 20

after they were come forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃20 of 20

out of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 4:46 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 4:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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