In verses 8-10 instructions are given about three more towns, following the expansion of Israelite domination into other territories. It is not certain what the relation is between these three additional towns and those listed in 4.41-43; probably the three towns west of the Jordan River were selected first, and only later the three on the east side.

And if: in this context, “When” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version).

Enlarges your border: that is, “enlarges your territory” (Good News Translation), or “gives you even more land” (see 12.20). For a description of the territory Israel would eventually occupy, see 11.22-25.

As he has sworn to your fathers: see 1.8.

The rest of the promise means “give you all the land that he promised your ancestors he would give you” (Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version); see 6.18, 23.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .