Deuteronomy 2:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.

Complete Jewish Bible:

'You have been going around this mountain long enough! Head north,

Berean Standard Bible:

“You have been wandering around this hill country long enough; turn to the north

American Standard Version:

Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Ye have compassed{H5437} this mountain{H2022} long enough{H7227}: turn{H6437} you northward{H6828}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Deuteronomy 1:6

  • The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:

Deuteronomy 2:14

  • And the space in which we came from Kadeshbarnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, [was] thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them.

Deuteronomy 2:7

  • For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God [hath been] with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 2:3

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

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H5437
    There are 147 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: סָבַב
    Transliteration: çâbab
    Pronunciation: saw-bab'
    Description: a primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively; bring, cast, fetch, lead, make, walk, [idiom] whirl, [idiom] round about, be about on every side, apply, avoid, beset (about), besiege, bring again, carry (about), change, cause to come about, [idiom] circuit, (fetch a) compass (about, round), drive, environ, [idiom] on every side, beset (close, come, compass, go, stand) round about, inclose, remove, return, set, sit down, turn (self) (about, aside, away, back).
  2. Strong's Number: H2022
    There are 485 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: הַר
    Transliteration: har
    Pronunciation: har
    Description: a shortened form of הָרָר; a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively); hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion.
  3. Strong's Number: H7227
    There are 439 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רַב
    Transliteration: rab
    Pronunciation: rab
    Description: by contracted from רָבַב; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality); (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent).
  4. Strong's Number: H6437
    There are 128 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פָּנָה
    Transliteration: pânâh
    Pronunciation: paw-naw'
    Description: a primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc.; appear, at (even-) tide, behold, cast out, come on, [idiom] corner, dawning, empty, go away, lie, look, mark, pass away, prepare, regard, (have) respect (to), (re-) turn (aside, away, back, face, self), [idiom] right (early).
  5. Strong's Number: H6828
    There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צָפוֹן
    Transliteration: tsâphôwn
    Pronunciation: tsaw-fone'
    Description: or צָפֹן; from צָפַן; properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown); north(-ern, side, -ward, wind).