As the wilderness journey nears its end and the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land, a profound need arises to legitimize their upcoming conquests and remember God’s enduring kindness. To this end, historical and geographical records—intertwined with poetry, political boundaries, and hidden miracles—serve as a testament to the divine providence that guided the nation.
A central piece of this historical record is a mysterious account of God’s battles. The primary approach among commentators is that this was a literal, physical book existing in ancient times, functioning much like royal chronicles. The wise men of that era recorded the histories of great conflicts within its pages, attributing every victory to God. Like other ancient texts from the time of the Patriarchs, it was eventually lost to history [רמב״ן, אבן עזרא, רבנו בחיי, בכור שור, חזקוני]. However, a different perspective suggests that this was not a physical manuscript at all. Instead, it refers to oral traditions—songs and spoken stories through which the Israelites praised God for His miracles [רש״י, רשב״ם, שד״ל, מזרחי]. Other traditions view this record conceptually, either as a reference to the Torah itself, which spiritually protects those who study it during times of war [שפתי כהן, צאינה וראינה], or as a hidden, celestial ledger detailing the exact borders God will grant Israel in the Messianic era [אור החיים].
Within these historical accounts, specific details regarding the conquered territories prompt varied interpretations. Many commentators identify certain references simply as cities or geographical locations situated near the border [רמב״ן, הטור הארוך, ביאור יש״ר, העמק דבר]. Conversely, others understand these details not as places, but as expressions of giving. In this light, the narrative is a song of praise for the territories God generously handed over to the conquerors [רש״י, רשב״ם, הירש, בכור שור, דעת זקנים, הדר זקנים]. Midrashic traditions offer entirely different dimensions, suggesting these accounts refer either to two lepers walking at the rear of the camp who first discovered a great miracle, or as an allegory for the deep love and mutual respect that ultimately blossoms between scholars who fiercely debate while studying Torah [אור החיים, תורה תמימה].
The historical memory also records the manner of these conquests. Most commentators explain that the enemy was destroyed with the sudden, overwhelming force of a mighty storm, illustrating how God—or the armies of the Amorite king Sihon—struck with breathtaking speed and power [רמב״ן, ספורנו, שד״ל, שטיינזלץ]. Another approach connects this description to the Red Sea, drawing a direct parallel between the famous wonders performed at the sea and the lesser-known miracles that occurred in the desert valleys [רש״י, רשב״ם, קצור בעל הטורים]. A third perspective interprets the description geographically, referring simply to the absolute edge and boundary of the wilderness [הכתב והקבלה, מלבי״ם, חזקוני].
A major focal point of this historical and geographical record is the deep valleys of Arnon, which serves a dual purpose. On a practical level, the record carefully maps these valleys to prove that Arnon was the precise border of Moab. This documentation was crucial to demonstrate that the Israelites did not violate God’s command by invading Moabite territory; they only occupied lands that Sihon had previously conquered, making them permissible to take [רמב״ן, ספורנו, רלב״ג, מלבי״ם].
On a hidden, miraculous level, these deep valleys were the site of a monumental rescue. As the Israelites prepared to pass through the treacherous gorge of Arnon, masses of Amorite enemies gathered in secret, hiding inside caves along the mountain slopes to ambush and annihilate the nation. Entirely unbeknownst to the Israelites, God caused the earth to quake. The opposing mountain shifted from its place, completely sealing the caves and crushing the enemies within. To ensure the Israelites recognized this massive, unseen deliverance, Miriam's well—the miraculous water source that traveled with the camp—flowed down into the valley. It washed the blood and remains of the defeated ambushers out toward the Israelite camp. Witnessing this undeniable proof of their survival, the people were moved to acknowledge God’s extraordinary kindness and break into a song of profound thanksgiving [רש״י, תורה תמימה, צאינה וראינה, חומש קה״ת, מזרחי].