Deuteronomy 2 8

Deuteronomy 2:8 kjv

And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Eziongaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.

Deuteronomy 2:8 nkjv

"And when we passed beyond our brethren, the descendants of Esau who dwell in Seir, away from the road of the plain, away from Elath and Ezion Geber, we turned and passed by way of the Wilderness of Moab.

Deuteronomy 2:8 niv

So we went on past our relatives the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. We turned from the Arabah road, which comes up from Elath and Ezion Geber, and traveled along the desert road of Moab.

Deuteronomy 2:8 esv

So we went on, away from our brothers, the people of Esau, who live in Seir, away from the Arabah road from Elath and Ezion-geber. "And we turned and went in the direction of the wilderness of Moab.

Deuteronomy 2:8 nlt

"So we bypassed the territory of our relatives, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. We avoided the road through the Arabah Valley that comes up from Elath and Ezion-geber. "Then as we turned north along the desert route through Moab,

Deuteronomy 2 verses

Deuteronomy 2 8 Meaning

Deuteronomy 2:8 recounts a specific segment of the Israelites' wilderness journey. It states that after passing from the descendants of Esau, who dwelt in the region of Seir, Israel continued their journey along the Arabah plain, through the area of Elath and Ezion-gaber. This passage highlights their obedient adherence to God's command to avoid conflict with the Edomites (descendants of Esau), despite their initial refusal of passage (Num 20:14-21), thereby completing their circuit around Edom rather than through it. It underscores God's providential guidance and Israel's obedience.

Deuteronomy 2 8 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 2 details the forty-year wilderness wanderings, beginning from the time Israel turned back from Kadesh-barnea (Deut 2:1-3) and continued their journey towards the promised land. Moses, speaking to the new generation on the plains of Moab, recounts specific instructions given by the LORD. Before this verse, the LORD commanded Israel not to provoke or engage in warfare with the Edomites (Deut 2:4-6), the descendants of Esau and Jacob's "brethren," because God had given Seir to them as a possession. This command stands in stark contrast to the command to later dispossess the inhabitants of Canaan. Therefore, Deuteronomy 2:8 describes Israel's faithful execution of this divine directive, taking a circuitous route to honor the Edomites' sovereignty over their God-given territory, highlighting God's broader sovereign allocation of land to different peoples.

Deuteronomy 2 8 Word analysis

• "So we passed by" (וַנַּעֲבֹר֙ - wanna‘avor): From the root עָבַר (‘avar), meaning "to pass over, pass through, go by." It emphasizes a peaceful progression, avoiding direct confrontation. This verb choice signifies obedience to God's instruction to circumnavigate Edomite territory rather than forcibly traversing it, as previously commanded (Deut 2:4).
• "from our brethren" (מֵאֲחֵ֣ינוּ - me’aḥenu): Lit. "from our brothers." This term underscores the close, albeit often strained, familial relationship between the Israelites (descendants of Jacob) and the Edomites (descendants of Esau). Despite historical tensions, God reminded Israel of this bond to command restraint and prevent unwarranted aggression. It speaks to a divine boundary-setting even among nations.
• "the children of Esau" (בְנֵי־עֵשָׂ֔ו - b'nei-`Esav): Explicitly identifies the Edomites. This is a common biblical identifier to trace their lineage back to Esau, Isaac's son and Jacob's twin, emphasizing shared patriarchal heritage.
• "who dwell in Seir" (הַיֹּשְׁבִ֥ים בְּשֵׂעִ֑יר - haYoshvim bi-Se'ir): Identifies the geographical dwelling place of the Edomites. Seir is a mountainous region southeast of the Dead Sea. God had given this territory to Esau as an inheritance (Gen 36:8, Deut 2:5).
• "through the way of the plain" (בְּדֶ֖רֶךְ הָעֲרָבָ֑ה - bederek ha‘aravah): Refers to the Arabah valley, a rift valley that runs from the Sea of Galilee down to the Gulf of Aqaba. Specifically here, it refers to the southern portion of this valley, east of the Edomite highlands, serving as their detour route around Edom. It was a well-known route, though perhaps more challenging than a direct path.
• "from Elath" (מֵאֵילַ֖ת - me’Eilat): A city on the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea). It served as a port city. Its mention anchors the geographic location of Israel's journey at the southern extremity of their circuit around Edom.
• "and from Ezion-gaber" (וּמֵעֶצְי֥וֹן גָּֽבֶר - u’me`Etzyon Gaver): Another city, located very close to Elath, on the Gulf of Aqaba. It also functioned as a significant port and base in later periods of Israelite history (1 Kgs 9:26). Its mention further defines the geographical endpoint of this specific leg of their journey.

Deuteronomy 2 8 Bonus section

• The circuitous route described in this verse demonstrates God's preference for peace and avoidance of unnecessary conflict, even when facing resistance (Num 20:14-21). This is a theme found elsewhere, such as God leading Israel away from the Philistine route to avoid war (Exod 13:17-18).
• The mention of Elath and Ezion-gaber marks the southern extent of their significant bypass. These locations were historically significant for trade and maritime activities, even if Israel itself did not engage in them at this stage. This detail underscores the historical and geographical accuracy of the biblical narrative.
• This specific instruction to bypass Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites (Deut 2:4-23) highlights a nuanced aspect of God's command regarding conquest: not all nations were targets for dispossession, only those whose iniquity was complete (Gen 15:16) and whose land God explicitly promised to Israel (i.e., Canaan). It teaches divine justice is discriminatory and precise, not blanket warfare.

Deuteronomy 2 8 Commentary

Deuteronomy 2:8 concisely describes Israel's circuitous journey around the territory of Edom, fulfilling God's direct command not to contend with "the children of Esau." This command highlights God's sovereignty over all nations and His pre-existing allocations of land, even for those not directly His covenant people. Israel's willingness to take a longer, potentially more arduous route through the Arabah plain and past significant ports like Elath and Ezion-gaber demonstrates their obedience to divine instructions. This narrative serves as a reminder that divine guidance sometimes leads us through unexpected or inconvenient paths, but these detours are for our protection or to honor God's larger purposes. It teaches restraint, adherence to divine boundaries, and reliance on God's provision even when a direct path seems more appealing. The passage signifies Israel's commitment to respecting the boundaries God had set for their kinsmen, illustrating a crucial lesson in righteous conduct between peoples, even if not fully reciprocated by Edom in later history.