Deuteronomy 2:6
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This passage highlights that even with God's daily provision of manna, Israel was instructed to purchase necessities like food and water from the Edomites. This wasn't about scarcity, but a vital lesson in honoring others' property and engaging with the world through fair exchange, not entitlement.
You shall purchase food from them with money, that you may eat, and you shall also buy water from them with money, that you may drink.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites are about to journey through the territory of their relatives, the descendants of Esau. God instructs them not to provoke or attack the Edomites, even though they will likely be afraid of Israel, because the land of Seir has been given to Esau. Instead, they are to purchase food and water from the Edomites with money, trusting in God's provision which has sustained them for forty years in the wilderness.
Imagine traveling for decades, finally reaching a border. What are your rights? What are your responsibilities? This verse offers a critical lesson in how to interact with those around you.
The Israelites are about to enter the territory of their relatives, the descendants of Esau (Edom). God explicitly instructs them: "You shall purchase food from them with money, and you shall also buy water from them with money."
This is more than just a shopping list. It's a divine command about how to obtain necessities.
The Principle of Purchase
The Israelites had been sustained by manna for 40 years. So why buy food and water now? This verse reveals a deeper truth about God's care.
It might seem strange that God commands the Israelites to buy food and water when He had been miraculously providing manna daily. What's going on here?
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Manna's Purpose and Limits
This instruction to buy food and water highlights that even when under God's direct care (manna provision), believers are called to interact with the world responsibly, respecting boundaries and engaging in peaceful commerce rather than taking by force.
c. 1400 BC
Wilderness Wanderings Begin
Following their liberation from Egypt, the Israelites begin their 40-year journey through the Sinai wilderness. This period was marked by God's provision of manna and water but also by disobedience and divine judgment.
c. 1400 BC
Edomites Decline Passage
As the Israelites approach the borders of Edom (descendants of Esau), they request permission to pass through their land peacefully. The Edomites refuse, forcing Israel to detour.
c. 1360 BC— this verse
Israel Detours Around Edom
The Israelites, commanded by God not to fight their relatives, the Edomites, take a long detour around Mount Seir, heading into the wilderness of Moab.
c. 1360 BC
Acquisition of Supplies
During their passage near Edom, the Israelites are instructed to purchase food and water with money, even though God was providing manna. This emphasizes peaceful interaction and reliance on God's provision through earthly means when available.
c. 1360 BC
Journey Continues to Moab
After bypassing Edom, the Israelites continue their journey, eventually reaching the plains of Moab, where they will later engage in significant spiritual rebellion.
This passage highlights the principle of not taking spoils or assuming ownership, even when it seems convenient or possible, echoing the command to purchase necessities rather than seize them.
Numbers 20:19Similar to the request made to the King of Edom, this verse shows the expectation of purchasing passage and sustenance, reinforcing the idea of respectful trade and avoiding forceful taking.
Luke 10:7Jesus' instruction to the seventy disciples to 'stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the laborer deserves his wages' mirrors the principle of fair exchange for necessities.
1 Corinthians 9:7Paul's rhetorical question about soldiers not fighting at their own expense, or shepherds not eating the milk of the flock, emphasizes the principle that those providing goods or services should be compensated.
bensonDeuteronomy 2:6: "Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink."
Deuteronomy 2:6 . Buy meat of them for money — For though the manna did yet rain upon them, they were not forbidden to buy other meats when they had opportunity, but only were forbidden greedily to hunger after them when they could not obtain them. Buy water — For water in those parts was scarce, and therefore private persons did severally dig pits for their…
gillDeuteronomy 2:6: "Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink."
That is, if they would, as Aben Ezra observes; for though they had manna daily, yet if they would they might buy other food when they had an opportunity, as they would now have of Edom; but then they were not to take it by force or stealth, but pay for it, which they were able to do. The same writer observes, that some read the words with an interrogation, "…
This passage highlights that even with God's daily provision of manna, Israel was instructed to purchase necessities like food and water from the Edomites. This wasn't about scarcity, but a vital lesson in honoring others' property and engaging with the world through fair exchange, not entitlement.
The Israelites are about to journey through the territory of their relatives, the descendants of Esau. God instructs them not to provoke or attack the Edomites, even though they will likely be afraid of Israel, because the land of Seir has been given to Esau. Instead, they are to purchase food and water from the Edomites with money, trusting in God's provision which has sustained them for forty years in the wilderness.
The Israelites are about to journey through the territory of their relatives, the descendants of Esau. God instructs them not to provoke or attack the Edomites, even though they will likely be afraid of Israel, because the land of Seir has been given to Esau. Instead, they are to purchase food and water from the Edomites with money, trusting in God's provision which has sustained them for forty years in the wilderness.
"You shall purchase food from them with money, that you may eat, and you shall also buy water from them with money, that you may drink." — This passage highlights that even with God's daily provision of manna, Israel was instructed to purchase necessities like food and water from the Edomites. This wasn't about scarcity, but a vital l…
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Last reviewed October 2026
