Judges 11:20
New International Version
Sihon, however, did not trust Israel to pass through his territory. He mustered all his troops and encamped at Jahaz and fought with Israel.

New Living Translation
But King Sihon didn’t trust Israel to pass through his land. Instead, he mobilized his army at Jahaz and attacked them.

English Standard Version
but Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory, so Sihon gathered all his people together and encamped at Jahaz and fought with Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
But Sihon would not trust Israel to pass through his territory. So he gathered all his people, encamped in Jahaz, and fought with Israel.

King James Bible
But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his coast: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

New King James Version
But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory. So Sihon gathered all his people together, encamped in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

New American Standard Bible
But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory; so Sihon gathered all his people and camped in Jahaz, and fought with Israel.

NASB 1995
‘But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory; so Sihon gathered all his people and camped in Jahaz and fought with Israel.

NASB 1977
‘But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory; so Sihon gathered all his people and camped in Jahaz, and fought with Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
But Sihon did not believe Israel to allow them to pass through his territory; so Sihon gathered all his people and camped in Jahaz and fought with Israel.

Amplified Bible
But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory; so Sihon gathered together all his people and camped at Jahaz and fought against Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
but Sihon would not trust Israel to pass through his territory. Instead, Sihon gathered all his troops, camped at Jahaz, and fought with Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but Sihon would not trust Israel to pass through his territory. Instead, Sihon gathered all his people, camped at Jahaz, and fought with Israel.

American Standard Version
But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his border; but Sihon gathered all his people together, and encamped in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

Contemporary English Version
Sihon didn't think the Israelites could be trusted, so he called his army together. They set up camp at Jahaz, then they attacked the Israelite camp.

English Revised Version
But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But Sihon did not trust the Israelites enough to let them go through his territory. Sihon assembled all his troops. He camped at Jahaz and attacked Israel.

Good News Translation
But Sihon would not let Israel do it. He brought his whole army together, camped at Jahaz, and attacked Israel.

International Standard Version
But Sihon didn't trust Israel to pass through his territory, so he assembled his entire army, encamped in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
But Sihon would not trust Israel to pass through his territory. So he gathered all his people, encamped in Jahaz, and fought with Israel.

NET Bible
But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory. He assembled his whole army, camped in Jahaz, and fought with Israel.

New Heart English Bible
But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory; but Sihon gathered all his people together, and camped in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon collected all his people, and encamped in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

World English Bible
But Sihon didn’t trust Israel to pass through his border; but Sihon gathered all his people together, and encamped in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Sihon has not trusted Israel to pass over through his border, and Sihon gathers all his people, and they encamp in Jahaz, and fight with Israel;

Young's Literal Translation
and Sihon hath not trusted Israel to pass over through his border, and Sihon gathereth all his people, and they encamp in Jahaz, and fight with Israel;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through in his bound; and Sihon will gather together all his people and will encamp in Jahaz, and he will war with Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But he also despising the words of Israel, suffered him not to pass through his borders: but gathering an infinite multitude, went out against him to Jasa, and made strong opposition.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But he, too, despising the words of Israel, would not permit him to cross through his borders. Instead, gathering an innumerable multitude, he went out against him at Jahaz, and he resisted strongly.

New American Bible
But Sihon refused to let Israel pass through his territory. He gathered all his soldiers, and they encamped at Jahaz and fought Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory; so Sihon gathered all his people together, and encamped at Jahaz, and fought with Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory; so Sihon gathered all his people together and encamped at Jahaz and fought against Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Sihon did not trust Israel to pass by on his border, and Sihon gathered all his people and they camped in Yahats and fought with Israel
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his border; but Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Seon did not trust Israel to pass by his coast; and Seon gathered all his people, and they encamped at Jasa; and he set the battle in array against Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jephthah Delivers Israel
19And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon, and said to him, ‘Please let us pass through your land into our own place.’ 20But Sihon would not trust Israel to pass through his territory. So he gathered all his people, encamped in Jahaz, and fought with Israel. 21Then the LORD, the God of Israel, delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, who defeated them. So Israel took possession of all the land of the Amorites who inhabited that country,…

Cross References
Numbers 21:23
But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, he gathered his whole army and went out to confront Israel in the wilderness. When he came to Jahaz, he fought against Israel.

Deuteronomy 2:30
But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as is the case this day.

Numbers 20:18-21
But Edom answered, “You may not travel through our land, or we will come out and confront you with the sword.” / “We will stay on the main road,” the Israelites replied, “and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay for it. There will be no problem; only let us pass through on foot.” / But Edom insisted, “You may not pass through.” And they came out to confront the Israelites with a large army and a strong hand. ...

Deuteronomy 2:32-33
So Sihon and his whole army came out for battle against us at Jahaz. / And the LORD our God delivered him over to us, and we defeated him and his sons and his whole army.

Joshua 24:9-10
Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you, / but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand.

Psalm 83:6-8
the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, / of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia with the people of Tyre. / Even Assyria has joined them, lending strength to the sons of Lot. Selah

Isaiah 11:14
They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them.

Amos 1:13
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of the Ammonites, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to enlarge their territory.

2 Kings 10:32-33
In those days the LORD began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael defeated the Israelites throughout their territory / from the Jordan eastward through all the land of Gilead (the region of Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh), and from Aroer by the Arnon Valley through Gilead to Bashan.

2 Chronicles 20:10-11
And now, here are the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt. So Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them. / See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession that You gave us as an inheritance.

Romans 9:17-18
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” / Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.

Acts 7:45
And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David,

Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

James 4:1-2
What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? / You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.


Treasury of Scripture

But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his coast: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

Numbers 21:23
And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

Deuteronomy 2:32
Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz.

Lord God

Nehemiah 9:22
Moreover thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.

Psalm 135:10-12
Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; …

Psalm 136:17-21
To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: …

they smote

Numbers 21:24,25
And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong…

Deuteronomy 2:33,34
And the LORD our God delivered him before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people…

so Israel

Joshua 13:15-32
And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben inheritance according to their families…

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Army Border Camped Coast Collected Encamp Encamped However Israel Jahaz Mustered Pitched Position Sihon Territory Together Trust Trusted War Way
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Army Border Camped Coast Collected Encamp Encamped However Israel Jahaz Mustered Pitched Position Sihon Territory Together Trust Trusted War Way
Judges 11
1. The covenant between Jephthah and the Gileadites, that he should lead
12. The treaty of peace between him and the Ammonites is in vain
29. Jephthah's vow
32. His conquest of the Ammonites
34. He performs his vow on his daughter.














But Sihon
The name "Sihon" is of Amorite origin, and he was the king of the Amorites. Historically, the Amorites were a significant group in the ancient Near East, often depicted as fierce and warlike. Sihon's refusal to allow Israel passage is a pivotal moment that reflects the broader theme of opposition to God's people. His actions set the stage for God's deliverance and the eventual victory of Israel, demonstrating that earthly power cannot thwart divine plans.

did not trust
The Hebrew root for "trust" here is "aman," which conveys a sense of firmness or certainty. Sihon's lack of trust in Israel can be seen as a lack of understanding or acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. This distrust leads to his downfall, illustrating the biblical principle that those who oppose God's will ultimately face consequences.

Israel
The term "Israel" refers to the descendants of Jacob, also known as the Israelites. At this point in their history, they were a nomadic people on a divinely ordained journey to the Promised Land. Israel's identity as God's chosen people is central to the narrative, and their interactions with other nations often serve to highlight God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His covenant promises.

to pass through his land
The request to pass through the land was a common diplomatic practice in the ancient world, often involving negotiations and treaties. Israel's request was reasonable and peaceful, reflecting their desire to avoid unnecessary conflict. However, Sihon's refusal and subsequent aggression underscore the theme of human resistance to divine purposes.

Instead, Sihon gathered all his troops
The gathering of troops indicates a deliberate preparation for war. This action reveals Sihon's aggressive intent and his reliance on military might. In contrast, Israel's strength lies not in numbers or weapons but in their covenant relationship with God. This juxtaposition highlights the biblical theme that true power and victory come from God.

camped at Jahaz
Jahaz was a strategic location for battle, situated in the territory of Moab. Archaeological evidence suggests it was a fortified site, which would have provided a tactical advantage. Sihon's choice to camp here reflects his confidence in his military strategy, yet it also becomes the place of his defeat, demonstrating that human plans are ultimately subject to God's will.

and fought with Israel
The confrontation between Sihon and Israel is more than a physical battle; it is a spiritual conflict between those who oppose God and His chosen people. The outcome of this battle, as recorded in the subsequent verses, serves as a testament to God's power and faithfulness. It reminds believers that God fights for His people and that victory is assured when they walk in obedience to Him.

(20) Trusted not Israel.--Sihon did not believe their promise to pass peacefully through his land.

Pitched in Jahaz.--Numbers 21:33; Isaiah 15:4; Jeremiah 48:3. The site of the battle has not been ascertained.

Verse 20. - In Jahaz. Otherwise Jahazah (Numbers 21:23; Deuteronomy 2:32; Isaiah 15:4; Jeremiah 48:21, 34). It seems to have lain immediately to the north of the Amen.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But Sihon
סִיח֤וֹן (sî·ḥō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5511: Sihon -- a king of the Amorites

would not
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

trust
הֶאֱמִ֨ין (he·’ĕ·mîn)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 539: To confirm, support

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

to pass
עֲבֹ֣ר (‘ă·ḇōr)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

through his territory.
בִּגְבֻל֔וֹ (biḡ·ḇu·lōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed

So [he]
סִיחוֹן֙ (sî·ḥō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5511: Sihon -- a king of the Amorites

gathered
וַיֶּאֱסֹ֤ף (way·ye·’ĕ·sōp̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

his people,
עַמּ֔וֹ (‘am·mōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

encamped
וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ (way·ya·ḥă·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp

in Jahaz,
בְּיָ֑הְצָה (bə·yā·hə·ṣāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3096: Jahaz -- a place in Moab

and fought
וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם (way·yil·lā·ḥem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

with
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT History: Judges 11:20 But Sihon didn't trust Israel to pass (Jd Judg. Jdg)
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