Sihon was not willing to let Israel pass through. For his own part it may have been because of fear, or because of confidence in his own military prowess. But Moses here, reflecting on the event, sees it in the context of the plan of God, who hardened Sihon's spirit. And no human power can stand against the Lord and his plan to save his people.
30 Mais Sihon, roi de Hesbon, ne voulut point nous laisser passer chez lui; car l'Eternel, ton Dieu, rendit son esprit inflexible et endurcit son cœur, afin de le livrer entre tes mains, comme tu le vois aujourd'hui.