c. Overture to Sihon, 2:24-31

Most commentators consider this passage as part of the conquest narrative that follows (2:32-3:11)1. The many similarities with 2:3-8—the request to buy food for silver and to be allowed to pass through the land, however, suggest that it is an integral part of the chiastic structure that frames 2:2-31 (click here to view the structure; compare #B & B'). ♥

This sub-unit is itself structured chiastically:

A. Call to Faith, vv24b ("See, I have given into your hands Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon. Of his land, go, take possession of it . . .)

B. Yahweh's Action on Behalf of Israel, v25 ("This very day I will . . .")

C. Israel's Request to Sihon to pass through the Land, v26-27

D. Israel's Request to Buy Food for Silver, v28a

E. Israel's Specific Request, v28b ("Only let us pass through . . .")

D'. Precedent to Israel's Request to Buy Food for Silver, v29

C'. Israel's Request to Sihon is Rejected, v30a

B'. Yahweh's Action on Behalf of Israel, v30b (". . . as is the case today")

A'. Call to Faith, v31 ("See, I have begun to give Sihon over to you. Of his land, go, take possession of it . . .")

Moses� retrospect on Israel�s journey through the Transjordan land shifts into a new phase with the recall of the command to break camp and to cross the Arnon (v24a). With the demise of GenA, all the actions and commands given from this point onwards in this unit concern only GenB. The Arnon, therefore, marks a key moment in Israel�s journey when one age closes, and another begins.

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