Deuteronomy 3:8

8. the two kings of the Amorites] Deu_2:26 to Deu_3:7. ‘Ôg‘s people have not previously been called Amorites: cp. Deu_4:47, Deu_31:4, and the editorial Jos_2:10; Jos_9:10; Jos_24:8; Joshua 12 b. Amorite apparently in the same general sense as in E, e.g. Jos_5:1; Jos_10:5. ‘Ôg himself was of the pre-Amorite Repha‘im, Deu_3:11.

beyond Jordan] As in Deu_1:5 the writer betrays his standpoint in W. Palestine. On the other hand the standpoint of Moses E. of Jordan is properly observed in Deu_3:20; Deu_3:25. Dillm. therefore takes Deu_3:8 as a later insertion. But must we assume a rigorous consistency in the writer of the discourse?

valley of Arnon] Deu_2:24.

unto mount Ḥermon] This carries Israel’s conquest further N. than previously described; another sign of a later hand? Ḥermôn, from the root ḥrm, sacred (see on Deu_2:34); either from a sanctuary on the mount or because the whole mount was held sacred: cp. Jdg_3:3, Mt Ba‘al Ḥermôn. The name covered the long S. end of Anti-Lebanon, above the sources of Jordan, and occurs also in the plur. Ḥermônîm, Psa_42:6, probably because of its triple summit. From its height of 9200 ft H. dominates all Ḥauran or Bashan, is visible as far S. as the heights above Jericho, and forms the natural N. boundary of all E. Palestine. One of its modern names, Jebel esh-Sheikh, means, not ‘old-man mountain,’ from its snowy hoary appearance, but ‘Mount of the Elder’ or ‘Holy Man,’ some famous saint; according to Conder (Hastings’ D. B. ii. 352) the Sheikh ed-Derâzi, the founder of the Druzes. Another name is Jebel, or Towîl, eth-Thalj, ‘Mount,’ or ‘Height of Snow.’

8–17. Allotment of the Conquered Lands

Thus Israel had taken the two Amorite kingdoms, from the ’Arnon to Ḥermon (Deu_3:8)—on which a note is given (Deu_3:9)—that is, from S. to N., the towns of the Mo‘ab Plateau, all Gile‘ad and Bashan (Deu_3:10); then a note on ‘Ôg (Deu_3:11). N. from ‘Arô‘er to half Mt Gile‘ad Moses gave to Re’uben and Gad, the rest of Gile‘ad and Bashan to the half-tribe of Manasseh (Deu_3:12-13 a). Follows a third note Deu_3:13-14 with additions from a later hand Deu_3:15-17 unless Deu_3:16 be regarded as original to the discourse.—The parallels are cited in the notes.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Deu 3:8. On this side Jordan — So it was when Moses wrote this book: but afterward, when Israel passed over Jordan, it was called the land beyond Jordan.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

3:8 Mount Hermon is the southernmost peak in the Anti-Lebanon Mountains northeast of the Sea of Galilee; at 9,300 feet above sea level, it is also the highest. On a clear day, this impressive landmark is visible from many miles away.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

And we took at that time out of the hands of the two kings of the Amorites,.... Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan:

the land that was on this side Jordan; where Moses then was, being in the plains of Moab, and was the country beyond Jordan, with respect to the land of Canaan, and when in that:

from the river of Arnon unto Mount Hermon; Arnon was a river which divided Moab and the Amorites, Num 22:13 and Hermon was a mountain of Gilead, which ended where Lebanon began, and was the northerly border of this country. It was remarkable for the dew that fell on it; See Gill on Psa 133:3.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Beyond. East of the promised land of Chanaan, which the sacred writers have generally in view. (Haydock) --- Hebrew heber, means, "alongside, opposite to, at the passage, at this side," &c. See chap. i. 1., and 3 Kings iv. 24. (Calmet) --- There is no need, therefore, to suppose that this and similar passages have been inserted by a later writer. (Haydock) --- Hermon, which profane authors commonly call Antilibanus, (Calmet) was a part of the range of the mountains of Galaad, by which name it goes frequently, though it be also denominated Seon, or Sion, (chap. iv. 48.; Menochius) and the different nations had other names for it, ver. 9. (Haydock) --- It does not appear that Moses went much beyond the torrent of Jeboc. But he knew that the territory, as far as Hermon and Emath, belonged to the Hebrews, and he probably, sent some troops to take possession of it. They did not, however, entirely banish the Hevites, that dwelt from Baal-Hermon to the entering into Emath. These and some other nations were left by God to instruct Israel, Judges iii. 3.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

On this side Jordan; so it was when Moses wrote this book, but afterward, when Israel passed over Jordan, it was called the land beyond Jordan.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

8, 9. From… Arnon unto Mount Hermon — The river Arnon formed the boundary between the Moabites and the Amorites. Hermon is the southern spur of Antilibanus. This mountain was one of the great landmarks of the Israelites, being marked as their northern boundary as the “sea” was with their western. It bore different names, each significant.

Hermon is the lofty peak. Sirion, as the Sidonians called it, and Shenir, its Amorite name, imply a glittering breastplate. It is now called Jebel es-Sheikh, or Jebel et-Tilj. It is also called Sion. See Deu_4:48.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Hermon (wOmrj), probably from to be high, "the lofty peak," conspicuous on all sides. By some the name is supposed to be connected with a devoted thing, because this mountain marked the limit of the country devoted or placed under a ban; and it is certainly remarkable that, at the extreme north-east and the extreme southwest of the laud conquered by the Israelites, names derived from Hereto, viz. Hermon and Hormah, (Deu_1:44) should be found; as if to indicate that all between was devoted. Hermon is the southernmost spur of the Autilibanus range. It is "the second mountain in Syria, ranking next to the highest peak of Lebanon behind the cedars. The elevation of Hermon may be estimated at about 10, 000 feet. The whole body of the mountain is limestone, similar to that which composes the main ridge of Lebanon, the central peak rises up an obtuse truncated cone, from 2000 to 3000 feet above the ridges that radiate from it, thus giving it a more commanding aspect than any other mountain in Syria. This cone is entirely naked, destitute alike of trees and vegetation. The snow never disappears from its summit" (Porter, "Handbook, Syria and Palestine," p. 431). At the present day it is known as Jebel esh-Sheikh (The Chief Mountain), also Jebel eth Thel (The Snow Mountain). Anciently also it had various names. By the Hebrews it was known also as Sion (aoyci, the high, Deu_4:48; by the Sidonians it was called Sirion (wOyrci wOyrvi), a cuirass or coat of mail), probably from its shining appearance, especially when covered with snow and by the Amorites it was called Senir, a word probably of the same meaning. These names continued in use to a late period (cf. Psa_99:6; Eze_27:4; Son_4:8; 1Ch_5:23)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

On this side Jordan - So it was when Moses wrote this book; but afterward when Israel passed over Jordan it was called the land beyond Jordan.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

General Information:

Moses continues to speak to the people of Israel.

out of the hand of the two kings

Here the metonym "out of the hand of" means "from the control of." AT: "from the control of the two kings" or "from the two kings" (See: Metonymy)

Amorites ... Bashan ... Edrei ... Og

"Amorite people ... land of Bashan ... town of Edrei ... King Og" See how you translated these in Deuteronomy 1:4.

beyond the Jordan

This refers to the land across the Jordan River, to the east of Israel. Moses was east of the Jordan when he said this. See how you translated this in Deuteronomy 1:1. AT: "east of the Jordan River"

the Valley of the Arnon

See how you translated these words in Deuteronomy 2:24.

Mount Hermon ... Sirion ... Senir

These are all names of the same mountain which is at the northern border of Bashan. (See: How to Translate Names)

of the plain

This is high, flat land between the Arnon River and Mount Gilead.

Salekah

This is the name of a city near Edrei. (See: How to Translate Names)

translationWords

hand

king

Amorite

Jordan River

Sidon

Gilead

kingdom

Bashan

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

מיד means, FROM THE CONTROL OF.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.