Charles Ellicott Commentary Deuteronomy 2

Then. — In the original, it is simply "And." There is no indication of time.

By the way of the Red Sea. — That is, in the direction of the Gulf of Aqaba, southwards.

As the Lord spake unto me. — In Numbers 14:25, as noted on Deuteronomy 1:40.

Many days. — Until near the close of the thirty-ninth year of the exodus.

Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward. —Apparently this command must have been issued when they were in Kadesh the second time, at the commencement of the fortieth year (Numbers 20:1). It was from this encampment that Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom asking permission to pass through his territory. It would be interesting to know when it was decided that Israel should enter the land of promise by passing over the Jordan, instead of going through the Negeb.

Did Mount Seir, or the territory of Edom, lie wholly on the east, or partly on the west of Israel when they were encamped in Kadesh? If Edom had acquired any territorial rights to the westward during the thirty-eight years’ wandering, it might have been necessary for Israel to ask his permission to go by the way of the spies, and in that case the decision to pass the Jordan may have been taken as a result of Edom’s refusal.

But if, as Conder (Bible Handbook, p. 250) appears to think, the permission asked was to go eastward between the mountains by the W. el Ghaweir to the north of Mount Hor, or the W. Ghurundel to the south of it (see Stanley’s Map in Sinai and Palestine for these), then the decision to pass the Jordan must have been taken before this period. The reason for the step would then be similar to what we find in Exodus 13:17, that the people might not have to fight their way into the country through the land of the Amorites. The miraculous eisodus across the Jordan would thus become still more analogous to the miraculous exodus from Egypt.

You are to pass through the coast. —Literally, You are passing through the border. This was apparently said before the permission was asked, and in view of the request made for it (Numbers 20:17). But Edom refused to let Israel pass through his coast or border (Numbers 20:21).

They shall be afraid of you. —According to the prophecy in the song of Moses (Exodus 15:15), Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed.

I have given mount Seir unto Esau —It is worthy of notice that the development of Ishmael preceded that of Isaac, and the inheritance of Esau was won earlier than that of Jacob. (Compare Genesis 25:16 with Genesis 35:23-26, and Genesis 36:31 with Genesis 37:1.) Isaac and Israel were still strangers and sojourners, while the Ishmaelites were princes, with towns and castles, and the Edomites dukes and kings.

Ye shall buy meat ... and ... water. —Compare to Genesis 14:23, Lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich, and Deuteronomy 15:1, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.