The Skeptics Annotated Bible (167 page)

(2.14-16) God killed all the Israelite soldiers—slowly. It took him 38 years to kill them all, but he finally got the job done.
God’s 27th Killing

14 And
the space
in which we came from Kadesh-barnea, until we were come over the brook Zered,
was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them.

(2.14)
“The space … was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them.”

15 For indeed
the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from among the host, until they were consumed.

(2.15)
“The hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from among the host, until they were consumed.”

16
So
it came to pass, when
all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people
,

(2.16)
“So … all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people.”

17 That the LORD spake unto me, saying,

18 Thou art to pass over through Ar, the coast of Moab, this day:

19 And
when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them
: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession;
because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession.

(2.19)
“When thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them … because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession.
”
146 How should the Ammonites be treated?

(2.20-23) God the giant killer
God’s 28th killing

20 (That also was accounted
a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time
; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims;

(2.20)
“A land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time”

21
A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them
before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead:

(2.21)
“A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them.”

22
As he did to the children of Esau
, which dwelt in Seir, when he destroyed
the Horims
from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day:

23 And
the Avims
which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah,
the Caphtorims
, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)

(20.22-23)
“As he did to the children of Esau … the Horims … the Avims … the Caphtorims.”

24 Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold,
I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.

(2.24)
“I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.”

25
This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations
that are under the whole heaven,
who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.

(2.25)
“This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations … who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.”