The Meaning of Deuteronomy 2:23 Explained

Deuteronomy 2:23

KJV: 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.)

YLT: As to the Avim who are dwelling in Hazerim unto Azzah, the Caphtorim -- who are coming out from Caphtor -- have destroyed them, and dwell in their stead.

Darby: And the Avvites who dwelt in the hamlets as far as Gazah the Caphtorim, who came out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)

ASV: and the Avvim, that dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, that came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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.) 

What does Deuteronomy 2:23 Mean?

Context Summary

Deuteronomy 2:16-37 - Conquering Beyond Jordan
In the earlier verses of this portion we catch a glimpse of the former history of Palestine, with the wars of conquest and changes of tenure that swept over it. The Almighty Governor of the world was, as the Apostle Paul said afterward, determining seasons and frontiers. Nations enervated by their sins are continually being judged by the Prince of the kings of the earth. See Leviticus 18:28; Acts 17:26-27; Revelation 1:5; Matthew 25:32.
A pacific and fair offer, in all good faith, was made to Sihon, which he refused to accept. The heart which is already hardened by sin becomes harder with every fresh rejection of God's love. In that sense we understand how the Lord hardened his heart. No ice is so hard as that which freezes at night after a day of thaw. The sun that melts wax, hardens clay; but the fault is not with the sun, but with the clay. [source]

Chapter Summary: Deuteronomy 2

1  The story is continued, that they were not to meddle with the Edomites
9  nor with the Moabites
16  nor with the Ammonites
24  but Sihon the Amorite was subdued by them

What do the individual words in Deuteronomy 2:23 mean?

And the Avites who dwelt in villages as far as Gaza the Caphtorites who came from Caphtor destroyed them and dwelt in their place
וְהָֽעַוִּ֛ים הַיֹּשְׁבִ֥ים בַּחֲצֵרִ֖ים עַד־ עַזָּ֑ה כַּפְתֹּרִים֙ הַיֹּצְאִ֣ים מִכַּפְתּ֔וֹר הִשְׁמִידֻ֖ם וַיֵּשְׁב֥וּ תַחְתָּֽם

וְהָֽעַוִּ֛ים  And  the  Avites 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Article, Proper Noun, masculine plural
Root: עַוִּים  
Sense: inhabitants of Ava or Ivah.
הַיֹּשְׁבִ֥ים  who  dwelt 
Parse: Article, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
בַּחֲצֵרִ֖ים  in  villages 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, common plural
Root: חָצֵר  
Sense: settlements of Ishmaelites.
עַד־  as  far  as 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַד  
Sense: as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as.
עַזָּ֑ה  Gaza 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: עַזָּה  
Sense: another name for ‘Gaza’, a city of the Philistines located in the extreme southwest of Palestine close to the Mediterranean.
כַּפְתֹּרִים֙  the  Caphtorites 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine plural
Root: כַּפְתֹּרִי  
Sense: Cretans as the inhabitants of Caphtor as distinct from the Philistines.
הַיֹּצְאִ֣ים  who  came 
Parse: Article, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: יׄוצֵאת 
Sense: to go out, come out, exit, go forth.
מִכַּפְתּ֔וֹר  from  Caphtor 
Parse: Preposition-m, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: כַּפְתֹּור  
Sense: the original home of the Philistines, perhaps on the southwest coast of Asia Minor, maybe in Egypt or close by, or more probably on the island of Crete.
הִשְׁמִידֻ֖ם  destroyed  them 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, third person common plural, third person masculine plural
Root: שָׁמַד  
Sense: to destroy, exterminate, be destroyed, be exterminated.
וַיֵּשְׁב֥וּ  and  dwelt 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
תַחְתָּֽם  in  their  place 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine plural
Root: מִתְחָה 
Sense: the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas.