Albert Barnes Commentary Deuteronomy 2
Albert Barnes Commentary
Deuteronomy 2
Albert Barnes Commentary
Deuteronomy 2
"Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as Jehovah spake unto me; and we compassed mount Seir many days. And Jehovah spake unto me, saying, Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward." — Deuteronomy 2:1-3 (ASV)
Deuteronomy 2:1 seems to refer in general terms to the long years of wandering, the details of which were not for Moses’ present purpose. The command of Deuteronomy 2:2-3 relates to their journey from Kadesh to Mount Hor (Numbers 20:22; Numbers 33:37), and directs their march around to the southern extremity of Mount Seir, so as to compass the land of Edom (Judges 11:18; Numbers 21:4), and so northward toward the Arnon, that is, by the way of the wilderness of Moab (Deuteronomy 2:8). This circuitous path was followed because of the refusal of the Edomites to allow the people to pass through their territory.
"And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the border of your brethren the children of Esau, that dwell in Seir; and they will be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore;" — Deuteronomy 2:4 (ASV)
Compare the marginal reference. Though the Edomites resisted the passage through the midst of their land, they did not, and probably could not, oppose the “passing through the coast” or along their eastern frontier.
"contend not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot to tread on; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession." — Deuteronomy 2:5 (ASV)
I have given mount Seir to Esau. Though the descendants of Esau were conquered by David (2 Samuel 8:14), they were not dispossessed of their land, and in the reign of Jehoshaphat they regained their independence (2 Kings 8:20–22).
"So we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, that dwell in Seir, from the way of the Arabah from Elath and from Ezion-geber. And we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab." — Deuteronomy 2:8 (ASV)
Elath (Akaba) is at the northern extremity of the eastern arm of the Red Sea, and gives to that arm the name of the Elanitic Gulf. The name means “trees;” and is still justified by the grove of palm-trees at Akaba.
"And Jehovah said unto me, Vex not Moab, neither contend with them in battle; for I will not give thee of his land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession." — Deuteronomy 2:9 (ASV)
The Moabites and the Ammonites (Deuteronomy 2:19), being descended from Lot, the nephew of Abraham (Genesis 19:30–38), were, like the Edomites, kinsmen of the Israelites.
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