Charles Ellicott Commentary Deuteronomy 2:1

"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." — Deuteronomy 2:1 (ASV)

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.