דברים, פרק ב׳, פסוק כ״ט

As Moses sends a diplomatic message to Sihon, king of Heshbon, he requests permission to pass through the land by citing past encounters with neighboring nations. Moses claims that the descendants of Esau and the Moabites acted favorably toward the Israelites. However, this creates a significant historical contradiction, as other accounts clearly state that Edom firmly refused Israel passage, and Moab was later condemned for failing to provide the Israelites with food and water.

The primary approach among commentators is that Moses is not referring to being granted travel rights, given Edom's strict refusal. Instead, he is specifically highlighting their willingness to sell food and water while the Israelites camped along their borders [רש״י, העמק דבר, הירש, ביאור יש״ר]. Interestingly, the Israelites did not actually need these supplies, as they were sustained by the heavenly manna and the miraculous well. The purchases were merely for variety and luxury [גור אריה].

If Moab sold provisions, it raises the question of why they were later banned from entering God's congregation under the premise that they failed to greet the Israelites with basic sustenance. One explanation highlights the vast difference between reluctant commerce and genuine hospitality. While the Moabites agreed to trade, they lacked generosity, demanding payment upfront from the weary travelers rather than welcoming them as guests with free provisions [שפתי חכמים, ברטנורא, משכיל לדוד, פענח רזא]. Alternatively, the condemnation for withholding food and water was directed solely at the Ammonites, whereas Moab was penalized exclusively for hiring Balaam to curse Israel [שפתי חכמים, פענח רזא, ברטנורא]. Others suggest a geographical distinction, noting that only specific factions—such as the descendants of Esau in Seir and the Moabites in Ar—traded kindly, while the rest of their nations did not [רשב״ם, חזקוני, ברכת אשר]. It is also possible that Moab initially engaged in trade but abruptly halted it out of panic after Israel defeated Sihon, attempting to starve the Israelites [חתם סופר].

Diverging from the focus on commerce, another perspective maintains that Moses is indeed discussing travel routes. Although the king of Edom denied access to the central royal highway, the local populations allowed the Israelites to peacefully bypass the outer borders of Mount Seir and Moab. Moses is simply asking Sihon for a similar accommodation along the edges of his territory [אבן עזרא, רבנו בחיי, בכור שור, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. A third, more forceful interpretation views Moses's message not as an appeal to past kindness, but as a severe warning. Because Esau and Moab completely rejected offers of peace and refused entry, Moses is warning Sihon that if he reacts with the same stubborn refusal, the Israelites will not back down but will march through his territory by force [הכתב והקבלה, רלב״ג].

Regardless of the specific historical precedent being invoked, Moses concludes his message by emphasizing that the requested passage is strictly temporary. He clarifies to Sihon that the Israelites have no intention of settling in his territory; their sole objective is to move forward until they cross the Jordan River and finally enter the Promised Land [רש״י, גור אריה, מלבי״ם, ביאור יש״ר].