10. At that moment, all the rulers who were appointed over the seventy nations gathered and wanted to restore the kingdom of Sihon to its prior state. As soon as they saw Moses' might, they retreated. That is the meaning of the words: "Wherefore they who speak in similes say, 'Come to Heshbon'" (Ibid. 27). These are the appointed ministers over the nations, who gathered and said, "Come to Heshbon." Who is he who destroyed it? Let it "be built and established" (Ibid.) as originally, and let the kingdom be reinstated as before.

11. When they saw Moses' might and the flame of his kingdom, they said, "For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon" (Ibid. 28). HE ASKS: If it already says "from Heshbon," why the additional "from the city of Sihon?" Isn't the city of Sihon Heshbon, as it says, "For Heshbon was a city of Sihon the king of the Amorites" (Ibid. 26).

12. HE REPLIES: It is only that a flame from the King of Heaven went and destroyed everything. When they said, "Let the city of Sihon be built and established" simply, and did not specify Heshbon, it is because they figured that it would be rebuilt for the Amorites' dwelling place. Then they replied and said, 'We cannot.' What is the reason? It is because all the roads and paths were sealed by the might of their higher authority. If we say and mention again that Heshbon should be built, did not "a fire gone out of Heshbon?" And if we say again 'the city of Sihon,' surely a flame started out from the city of Sihon. Since that flame of fire still prevails there, there is nobody who can return it to its prior state, because we have no permission from any side.