Deuteronomy 1:1-46

Introduction. Review of the Journey from Sinai to Kadesh

1-5. Introduction.

1. On this side Jordan] RV ’beyond Jordan,’ i.e. on the E. side. The writer speaks from the standpoint of Canaan, as also in Deuteronomy 1:5, Deuteronomy 3:8; Deuteronomy 4:41, Deuteronomy 4:46, Deuteronomy 4:49. see Intro. to Numbers.

2. The plain is the Arabah, the valley running N. and S. of the Dead Sea. The Red sea] Heb. Suph, the name of some place on the Gulf of Akaba.

6-46. Review of the journey from Sinai to Kadesh on the border of Canaan.

6. Horeb] the name given in Dt to Mt. Sinai. The name Sinai occurs in this book only in the Blessing of Moses (Deuteronomy 33:2).

7. The plain] see on Deuteronomy 1:1. The hills] RV ’hill country,’ the elevated ridge in the centre of Palestine. The vale] the maritime plain. The south] the Negeb. See on Numbers 13:17, Numbers 13:21.

9. This seems to refer to what is recorded in Exodus 18:13-26.

22. See Numbers 13. It would appear that the sending of the spies was suggested by the people, and that Moses referred the matter to God for confirmation: cp. Numbers 13:1.

37. For your sakes] Had the unbelief of Moses gone unpunished, the people would have been hardened in their own transgression. Por their sakes, therefore, it was impossible to overlook it: see on Numbers 20:12.

46. Many days] see on Numbers 13:26; Numbers 20:1.