Deuteronomy 2:1
“Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea, as the LORD told me. And for many days we traveled around Mount Seir.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While the text mentions turning and journeying, the phrase "as the LORD told me" highlights that this wasn't a random detour but a direct, obedient response to God's command, even if the path felt long and winding. The "many days" spent circling Mount Seir weren't wasted time, but part of God's unfolding plan, emphasizing His patient guidance through even the most circuitous routes.
After their prolonged stay at Kadesh, the Israelites turned away from the Promised Land and headed south into the wilderness, following God's instruction to travel in the direction of the Red Sea. This marked the beginning of a long period of wandering, during which they circled the mountainous region of Seir, the land of their relatives, the Edomites, for many years. Moses is setting the stage here to recount their subsequent journeyings and encounters before they could again approach the borders of Canaan.
Did you know that God's commands sometimes lead us on journeys we don't expect? Even when the path seems long and winding, there's a divine purpose.
In Deuteronomy 2:1, Moses recounts the Israelites' departure from Kadesh-barnea. They were told to turn 'into the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea,' a direction that led them around Mount Seir. This wasn't a punishment for their immediate disobedience at Kadesh but a consequence of a generation's rebellion, as explained in Numbers 14:25. God's command to go 'by the way of the Red Sea' and 'compass Mount Seir' was an act of obedience, even though it meant a prolonged period of wandering. The 'many days' here refer to the significant portion of the 38 years of wilderness wandering that followed the initial rebellion. It highlights that obedience, even when it doesn't immediately lead to the promised land, is the path God directs. The detour was necessary to allow the rebellious generation to pass away and for a new generation, ready to trust God, to enter the land.
Why would God send His people on such an extended journey around a mountain? This wasn't just geography; it was about divine timing and judgment.
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The journey around Mount Seir, described as taking 'many days,' represents a crucial period of transition and judgment for Israel. Mount Seir was the territory of Edom, descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. While Israel was divinely instructed not to provoke the Edomites (Deuteronomy 2:4-5), their inability to pass through Edom was a direct result of the nation's prolonged wandering. The 'many days' are understood by scholars to encompass much of the 38 years of exile in the wilderness after the rebellion at Kadesh-barnea. This extended period was not arbitrary; it was divinely appointed for the purification of the generation that had refused to enter the promised land. It underscores a profound biblical principle: God's faithfulness to His promises is often intertwined with His justice and His timing.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The supreme, self-existent God of the Bible who enters into covenant relationship with His people; the proper name of the God of Israel.
midbar · Hebrew Noun
Often referring to desolate or uncultivated land, it is a place of testing, preparation, and divine encounter where God leads His people to rely solely on Him.
Se'ir · Hebrew Proper Noun
A mountainous, rugged region south of the Dead Sea, historically associated with the descendants of Esau (Edomites).
nasa' · Hebrew Verb
To move from one place to another; in a biblical context, it often signifies the life journey of the believer under God's guidance or the pilgrimage of God’s people toward a promised destination.
This verse marks the beginning of Israel's final leg of their journey toward the Promised Land after decades of wandering, highlighting obedience to God's command to bypass Edom's territory.
c. 1446 BC
Israel Exits Egypt
After centuries of slavery, the Israelites depart Egypt under Moses' leadership, beginning their journey toward the Promised Land.
c. 1445 BC
Rebellion at Kadesh Barnea
Spies sent into Canaan report giants and walled cities, leading the people to fear and rebel. God declares they will wander for 40 years.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Departure from Kadesh Barnea
After 38 years of wandering and the death of the rebellious generation, the Israelites finally leave the Kadesh Barnea area, as commanded by God.
c. 1406 BC
Circumventing Edom
Israel attempts to pass through Edom (Mount Seir) but is denied passage, forcing them to take a long, circuitous route around Edom's territory.
c. 1406 BC
Journey to the Arnon River
The Israelites continue their journey northward along the eastern side of the Jordan River, reaching the border of the Amorites at the Arnon River.
This passage directly connects to Deuteronomy 2:1, explaining that after God's command to turn back into the wilderness, they were to head toward the Red Sea. It highlights the divine instruction preceding this new phase of their journey.
Numbers 20:14-21This account details the Israelites' request to pass through Edom (around Mount Seir) and Edom's refusal, which directly led to the circuitous route mentioned in Deuteronomy 2:1. It shows the reason for 'compassing mount Seir many days'.
Judges 11:17-18This passage echoes the events of Deuteronomy 2:1, as Jephthah recounts Israel's journey, stating they 'compassed the land of Edom' and did not pass through it. It provides a historical reflection on this specific period of wandering.
Psalm 105:39-41This psalm celebrates God's provision during the wilderness wanderings, mentioning His guidance and provision of water and food. It offers a spiritual perspective on the challenging journey around Mount Seir, emphasizing God's faithfulness amidst the hardship.
gillDeuteronomy 2:1: "Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days."
Then we turned,.... From Kadesh, where they had been many days, and so also their backs on the land of Canaan, on the borders of which they had been: and took our journey into the wilderness, by the way of the Red sea, as the Lord spake unto me; Deuteronomy 1:40. and we compassed Mount Seir many days; many think by Mount Seir is…
bensonDeuteronomy 2:1: "Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days."
Deuteronomy 2:1 . We compassed mount Seir — The mountainous part of Edom, or Idumea. Many days — Even for thirty-eight years, which time they spent in tedious marches to and fro through that desert country, reaching from Kadesh to the Red sea, and in various encampments, till that race of murmurers was quite extinct, and then or…
While the text mentions turning and journeying, the phrase "as the LORD told me" highlights that this wasn't a random detour but a direct, obedient response to God's command, even if the path felt long and winding. The "many days" spent circling Mount Seir weren't wasted time, but part of God's unfolding plan, emphasizing His patient guidance through even the most circuitous routes.
After their prolonged stay at Kadesh, the Israelites turned away from the Promised Land and headed south into the wilderness, following God's instruction to travel in the direction of the Red Sea. This marked the beginning of a long period of wandering, during which they circled the mountainous region of Seir, the land of their relatives, the Edomites, for many years. Moses is setting the stage here to recount their subsequent journeyings and encounters before they could again approach the borders of Canaan.
After their prolonged stay at Kadesh, the Israelites turned away from the Promised Land and headed south into the wilderness, following God's instruction to travel in the direction of the Red Sea. This marked the beginning of a long period of wandering, during which they circled the mountainous region of Seir, the land of their relatives, the Edomites, for many years. Moses is setting the stage here to recount their subsequent journeyings and encounters before they could again approach the borders of Canaan.
"“Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea, as the LORD told me. And for many days we traveled around Mount Seir." — While the text mentions turning and journeying, the phrase "as the LORD told me" highlights that this wasn't a random detour but a direct, obedient response to God's command, even if the path felt lo…
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