Deuteronomy 2:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Eziongaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"So we went on past our kinsmen the descendants of 'Esav living in Se'ir, left the road through the 'Aravah from Eilat and 'Etzyon-Gever, and turned to pass along the road through the desert of Mo'av.

Berean Standard Bible:

So we passed by our brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. We turned away from the Arabah road, which comes up from Elath and Ezion-geber, and traveled along the road of the Wilderness of Moab.

American Standard Version:

So we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, that dwell in Seir, from the way of the Arabah from Elath and from Ezion-geber. And we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And when we passed^{H5674} by from our brethren^{H251} the children^{H1121} of Esau^{H6215}, which dwelt^{H3427} in Seir^{H8165}, through the way^{H1870} of the plain^{H6160} from Elath^{H359}, and from Eziongaber^{H6100}, we turned^{H6437} and passed^{H5674} by the way^{H1870} of the wilderness^{H4057} of Moab^{H4124}.

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 2:8

Deuteronomy 2:8 is part of the narrative where Moses recounts the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The historical context of this verse is set during the Israelites' wanderings in the desert, which lasted for 40 years.

The themes present in this verse include:

1. **Divine Guidance**: The verse reflects the Israelites' reliance on God's guidance through the wilderness, as they navigate around the territories of other nations.

2. **Respect for Neighbors**: It illustrates the Israelites' respect for the territories of their relatives, the Edomites (descendants of Esau), who lived in Seir. Despite the familial connection to Esau, the brother of Jacob (Israel), the Israelites do not encroach upon the Edomites' land, honoring the boundaries set by God.

3. **Obedience to God's Commands**: The Israelites' decision to bypass the land of Edom and the land of Moab is in obedience to God's instructions. This demonstrates the importance of obeying God's commands, even when it means taking a longer route.

4. **God's Providence**: The journey through the wilderness, including the detour around Edom, is part of God's plan to prepare the Israelites for entering the Promised Land. This detour is a lesson in trust and patience.

5. **Historical Geography**: The verse mentions specific locations such as Elath and Eziongaber, which are on the Gulf of Aqaba, and the wilderness of Moab, which is east of the Jordan River. These place names provide a geographical context for the Israelites' journey and reflect the historical setting of the Late Bronze Age.

In summary, Deuteronomy 2:8 encapsulates the themes of divine guidance, respect for neighboring nations, obedience to God, and trust in His providence, all set within the historical geography of the ancient Near East during the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land.

*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: H5674
   There are 493 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַר
   Transliteration: ʻâbar
   Pronunciation: aw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation); alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath.
   
2. Strong's Number: H251
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָח
   Transliteration: ʼâch
   Pronunciation: awkh
   Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6215
   There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵשָׂו
   Transliteration: ʻÊsâv
   Pronunciation: ay-sawv'
   Description: apparently a form of the passive participle of עָשָׂה in the original sense of handling; rough (i.e. sensibly felt); Esav, a son of Isaac, including his posterity; Esau.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3427
   There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָשַׁב
   Transliteration: yâshab
   Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8165
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׂעִיר
   Transliteration: Sêʻîyr
   Pronunciation: say-eer'
   Description: formed like שָׂעִיר; rough; Seir, a mountain of Idumaea and its aboriginal occupants, also one in Palestine; Seir.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1870
   There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
   Transliteration: derek
   Pronunciation: deh'-rek
   Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever).
   
8. Strong's Number: H6160
   There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֲרָבָה
   Transliteration: ʻărâbâh
   Pronunciation: ar-aw-baw'
   Description: from עָרַב (in the sense of sterility); a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea; Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See also בֵּית הָעֲרָבָה.
   
9. Strong's Number: H359
   There are 50 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵילוֹת
   Transliteration: ʼÊylôwth
   Pronunciation: ay-loth'
   Description: or אֵילַת ; from אַיִל; trees or a grove (i.e. palms); Eloth or Elath, a place on the Red Sea; Elath, Eloth.
   
10. Strong's Number: H6100
    There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֶצְיוֹן גֶּבֶר
    Transliteration: ʻEtsyôwn Geber
    Pronunciation: ets-yone' gheh'ber
    Description: from עָצֶה and גֶּבֶר; backbone-like of a man; Etsjon-Geber, a place on the Red Sea; Ezion-geber.
    
11. 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).
    
12. Strong's Number: H4057
    There are 257 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִדְבָּר
    Transliteration: midbâr
    Pronunciation: mid-bawr'
    Description: from דָבַר in the sense of driving; a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs); desert, south, speech, wilderness.
    
13. Strong's Number: H4124
    There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מוֹאָב
    Transliteration: Môwʼâb
    Pronunciation: mo-awb
    Description: from a prolonged form of the prepositional prefix m-and אָב; from (her (the mother's)) father; Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants; Moab.