“Idcirco dicitur in proverbio : Venite in Hesebon : ædificetur, et construatur civitas Sehon :”
“Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared:”
“That is why the poets say: “Come to Heshbon, let it be rebuilt; let the city of Sihon be restored.”
“Therefore those who speak in proverbs say, “Come to Heshbon. Let the city of Sihon be built and established;”
“Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come ye to Heshbon; Let the city of Sihon be built and established:”
Proverb. Hebrew Moshelim: “Those who speak proverbs, or enigmas, say.” Those were the ancient poets of the Amorrhites, who composed this canticle on the victory of Sehon. (Calmet) — Moses inserts it in his work, as an additional proof, that the country was entirely lost to Moab, and as a denunciation of the evils which still hung over the head of that people, and would be inflicted upon them by David, &c., 2 Kings x. i., 4 Kings iii. 16., and Amos i. 13. (Haydock)
Verses 21-35 Sihon went with his forces against Israel, out of his own borders, without provocation, and so ran upon his own ruin. The enemies of God's church often perish by the counsels they think most wisely taken. Og, king of Bashan, instead of being warned by the fate of his neighbours, to make peace with Israel, makes war with them, which proves in like manner his destruction. Wicked men do their utmost to secure themselves and their possessions against the judgments of God; but all in vain, when the day comes on which they must fall. God gave Israel success, while Moses was with them, that he might see the beginning of the glorious work, though he must not live to see it finished. This was, in comparison, but as the day of small things, yet it was an earnest of great things. We must prepare for fresh conflicts and enemies. We must make no peace or truce with the powers of darkness, nor even treat with them; nor should we expect any pause in our contest. But, trusting in God, and obeying his commands, we shall be more than conquerors over every enemy.