Albert Barnes Commentary Deuteronomy 2:1-3

"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.