Deuteronomy 2:8

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 2:8 meticulously details a specific segment of Israel's wilderness journey, recounting their respectful detour around the Edomite territory. This verse, situated within Moses' historical recounting, highlights the Israelites' obedience to God's command to avoid conflict with the "children of Esau" (Edomites), who dwelt in Seir. It precisely traces their route from Elath and Eziongaber, port cities on the Gulf of Aqaba, as they turned away from Edomite land and proceeded into the wilderness of Moab, demonstrating God's guidance and Israel's adherence to divine directives regarding national boundaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 2:8 is part of Moses' extensive historical prologue (Deuteronomy 1-3), delivered to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab. This section serves as a crucial reminder of God's faithfulness and Israel's past experiences, particularly the forty years of wilderness wandering. Moses recounts the divine instructions and the people's responses, emphasizing the lessons learned. Specifically, verses 1-8 detail the journey from Kadesh-barnea, where the previous generation failed, up to the point of preparing to enter the Promised Land. The preceding verses (Deuteronomy 2:4-7) explicitly lay out God's command not to provoke the Edomites, as He had given Mount Seir to Esau as their inheritance. Thus, verse 8 shows the direct fulfillment of this divine directive, demonstrating Israel's obedience in navigating around a kindred nation rather than through it, despite the Edomites' earlier refusal of passage (as noted in [Numbers 20:18](/numbers/20-18 "Numbers 20:18 - Edom's Refusal of Passage")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "children of Esau," or Edomites, were descendants of Esau, Jacob's twin brother, making them distant relatives of the Israelites. Their territory, Seir, was a mountainous region south of the Dead Sea. The mention of Elath and Eziongaber is significant, as these were ancient port cities located at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba (part of the Red Sea). This indicates that Israel's journey took them along a major trade route, likely the "King's Highway," but they had to deviate from it to respect Edomite sovereignty. The cultural norm of respecting tribal or national boundaries, especially when divinely ordained, was paramount. God's command to not dispossess or provoke the Edomites underscored His sovereign distribution of land to all peoples, not just Israel, and His desire for peace, even with those who might be hostile. This historical event sets a precedent for how Israel was to interact with other nations, balancing their unique covenant relationship with God's universal sovereignty.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. Primarily, it underscores **Divine Guidance and Obedience**, showing Israel's adherence to God's specific command to avoid conflict with the Edomites. This highlights the importance of following God's directives, even when they might seem inconvenient or when dealing with those who are less than hospitable, reinforcing the theme of trusting God's wisdom over human expedience. Secondly, it emphasizes **Respect for National Boundaries and God's Sovereignty**, illustrating that God, as the supreme ruler, had allotted specific territories to different peoples, including the descendants of Esau (as stated in [Deuteronomy 2:5](/deuteronomy/2-5 "Deuteronomy 2:5 - God's Allotment to Esau")). This principle of respecting established boundaries and God's sovereign distribution of land is crucial. Finally, it subtly points to **God's Provision and Protection**, as the successful and peaceful passage around Edom, utilizing routes through Elath and Eziongaber, implicitly speaks to God's continued care for His people, enabling them to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes without unnecessary conflict. This aligns with the broader theme of God's miraculous care throughout their forty years, where their clothing and sandals did not wear out (see [Deuteronomy 2:7](/deuteronomy/2-7 "Deuteronomy 2:7 - God's Provision in the Wilderness")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Seir (Hebrew, _śēʿîr_):** This refers to the mountainous region south and east of the Dead Sea, which was the traditional homeland of the Edomites, descendants of Esau. The name itself might derive from a root meaning "hairy" or "shaggy," perhaps referring to the rugged, forested nature of the mountains or to Esau's own hairy appearance. Its mention here firmly grounds the narrative geographically and reinforces the identity of the people being avoided.
* **Elath (Hebrew, _’êlōṯ_):** A significant port city located at the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba, a northern arm of the Red Sea. Along with Eziongaber, it served as a crucial maritime and trade hub in ancient times. Its inclusion specifies the precise route Israel took, indicating they moved along the eastern edge of the Edomite territory, close to the sea, before turning inland towards Moab. This detail underscores the historical and geographical accuracy of Moses' account.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir":** This clause establishes the context of the movement. "Our brethren" highlights the familial connection between the Israelites (descendants of Jacob) and the Edomites (descendants of Esau), a relationship that, despite its ties, was often fraught with tension. The mention of "Seir" precisely locates the Edomites' dwelling, emphasizing the specific territory Israel was commanded to avoid provoking.
* **"through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Eziongaber":** This specifies the geographical route taken. "The way of the plain" likely refers to the Arabah, the valley extending from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. Elath and Eziongaber were important port cities at the northern tip of the Gulf, indicating that Israel skirted the Edomite territory by moving along its eastern flank, near the coast, rather than attempting to cut directly through the heart of Edom. This detail confirms their adherence to God's command.
* **"we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab":** This final clause describes the change in direction and the next stage of their journey. After successfully navigating around Edom, the Israelites turned northward, heading into the wilderness bordering Moab. This signifies their continued progress towards the Promised Land, demonstrating God's faithful guidance in leading them through complex and potentially dangerous regions without unnecessary conflict.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Geographical Precision** and **Historical Recounting**. The meticulous naming of locations like Seir, Elath, Eziongaber, and the wilderness of Moab serves to anchor the narrative in a tangible, verifiable reality, lending credibility to Moses' account. This precision is not merely descriptive but serves a theological purpose, demonstrating God's detailed guidance over Israel's journey and their exact obedience to His commands regarding specific territories. The entire chapter, including this verse, functions as a **Retrospective Narrative**, where Moses looks back on past events to instruct and encourage the present generation. This recounting emphasizes the lessons of obedience, divine provision, and the consequences of disobedience, preparing the people for the challenges of entering the Promised Land. The use of "we" ("when **we** passed by") involves Moses directly in the experience, adding a personal and authoritative tone to the historical record.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 2:8 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign control over all nations and His meticulous guidance of His covenant people. It highlights the principle that God has established boundaries and inheritances for all peoples, not just Israel, and that His people are called to respect these divine decrees, even when dealing with nations that may be hostile or uncooperative. This act of peaceful circumvention, rather than forceful conquest, demonstrates a profound trust in God's timing and methods, emphasizing that the Promised Land would be inherited through divine power and not human aggression against those God had not appointed for Israel to conquer. It sets a precedent for responsible international relations rooted in divine command.

* [Numbers 20:18-21](/numbers/20-18 "Numbers 20:18-21 - Edom's Refusal and Israel's Detour")
* [Deuteronomy 2:4-5](/deuteronomy/2-4 "Deuteronomy 2:4-5 - God's Command Regarding Edom")
* [Psalm 105:14-15](/psalms/105-14 "Psalm 105:14-15 - God's Protection of His Anointed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 2:8 offers a powerful lesson in obedience, patience, and respecting God's sovereignty, even when faced with difficult circumstances or uncooperative people. Just as Israel had a divinely appointed route that included detours around potential conflicts, believers today are called to seek and follow God's specific guidance in their lives. Sometimes, God's path for us involves patience, avoiding unnecessary confrontations, or taking a longer, less direct route to achieve His purposes. This verse reminds us that true strength and faithfulness lie not in asserting our rights or forcing our way, but in humbly submitting to God's wisdom and respecting the boundaries He has set, whether for nations, individuals, or our own personal lives. It encourages us to trust that God's chosen path, though sometimes circuitous or seemingly inconvenient, is always the best and ultimately leads to His intended destination and blessing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to take a "detour" or avoid conflict, even when a more direct path seems appealing?**
* **How does Israel's obedience in this verse challenge your own tendency to assert your rights or push your own agenda?**
* **What does this passage teach you about God's sovereignty over all peoples and nations, not just His chosen ones?**
* **How can you apply the principle of respecting boundaries—whether personal, relational, or national—in your daily interactions?**

### FAQ

**Why did Israel have to go around Edom, especially since they were "brethren"?**

Answer: Despite the familial ties between the Israelites (descendants of Jacob) and the Edomites (descendants of Esau), God explicitly commanded Israel not to provoke them or take their land. [Deuteronomy 2:4-5](/deuteronomy/2-4 "Deuteronomy 2:4-5 - God's Command Regarding Edom") states that God had given Mount Seir to Esau as their possession, and Israel was not to dispossess them. This command demonstrated God's sovereignty over all nations and His right to allot territories as He saw fit, even to those outside the Abrahamic covenant. It also served as a test of Israel's obedience and a lesson in respecting divine boundaries and seeking peace, even when faced with the Edomites' earlier refusal to grant passage (as seen in [Numbers 20:18-21](/numbers/20-18 "Numbers 20:18-21 - Edom's Refusal to Grant Passage")).

**What is the significance of Elath and Eziongaber being mentioned?**

Answer: The mention of Elath and Eziongaber provides crucial geographical precision to Israel's journey. These were ancient port cities located at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, an arm of the Red Sea. Their inclusion indicates that Israel's route took them along the eastern edge of the Edomite territory, skirting the mountainous region of Seir by following the Arabah valley towards the Red Sea coast before turning north into the wilderness of Moab. This detail confirms that Israel meticulously followed God's command to avoid direct confrontation and passage through Edomite land, demonstrating their obedience and the divine guidance of their itinerary.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 2:8 describes a historical event of Israel's journey, its underlying principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Israel's obedience to God's command to take a circuitous route, avoiding conflict and respecting divinely ordained boundaries, foreshadows Christ's ultimate path of humility and self-sacrifice. Unlike a conquering king who might force passage, Jesus, the true Israel, did not come to assert His earthly rights or provoke conflict, but to fulfill God's will through a path of suffering and servanthood (as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He was oppressed and afflicted")). His journey to the cross was a "detour" from what might have seemed a more direct path to glory, yet it was the divinely appointed way to achieve salvation for humanity (see [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility")). Furthermore, God's sovereignty in allotting land to Esau, even a non-covenant people, points to Christ's universal Lordship, where He is not just King of Israel but "Lord of all" ([Acts 10:36](/acts/10-36 "Acts 10:36 - Jesus is Lord of All")), establishing a new covenant that transcends national boundaries and invites all peoples into His kingdom ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile in Christ")). Thus, Israel's journey in Deuteronomy 2:8, marked by obedience and respect for God's broader purposes, subtly anticipates the humble, boundary-transcending, and ultimately redemptive journey of Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 9:26

And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which [is] beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.

2 Kings 16:6

At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.

Judges 11:18

Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon [was] the border of Moab.

2 Kings 14:22

He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.

Numbers 33:35

And they departed from Ebronah, and encamped at Eziongaber.

Deuteronomy 1:1

¶ These [be] the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red [sea], between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab.

Numbers 20:20

And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.