(The Lord speaking is red text)
Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.
'You have been going around this mountain long enough! Head north,
“You have been wandering around this hill country long enough; turn to the north
Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.
Ye have compassed{H5437} this mountain{H2022} long enough{H7227}: turn{H6437} you northward{H6828}.
Deuteronomy 2:3 is part of the Old Testament in the Bible, specifically within the book of Deuteronomy, which records Moses' final speeches to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. The verse reads:
"Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward."
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Direction:** The verse emphasizes the theme of God's guidance. Moses, speaking under divine inspiration, directs the Israelites to change their course, illustrating the importance of obedience to God's commands in their journey.
2. **Transition and Movement:** This command signifies a shift from wandering to purposeful movement towards the Promised Land, highlighting themes of progress and the fulfillment of God's promises.
3. **Patience and Trust:** The Israelites have spent a significant amount of time in the wilderness, and this verse marks the end of a period of waiting, reinforcing the need for patience and trust in God's timing.
**Historical Context:**
The Israelites, having been delivered from slavery in Egypt, spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness due to their disobedience and lack of faith. This period of wandering included circling Mount Seir, which is likely the mountain referred to in the verse. The command to turn northward indicates a new phase in their journey, as they are now directed to approach Canaan from a different direction, skirting the territories of their relatives, the descendants of Esau (Edomites), and the Moabites, with whom God had instructed them not to engage in conflict.
This directive is part of a broader narrative where God is preparing the Israelites to enter and possess the land He had promised to their ancestors. It is a pivotal moment that sets the stage for the subsequent military campaigns and the distribution of the land among the tribes of Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)