Deuteronomy 2:5

"Command the people, saying, ‘You are to pass through the border of your brothers, the children of Esau, who dwell in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. Therefore be careful."

Key Reflection

The verse from Deuteronomy 2:5 instructs the Israelites to pass through the territory of their kin, the Edomites (descendants of Esau), who lived in Seir. This command reflects a strategic and diplomatic approach, as it acknowledges the Edomites' fear of the Israelites due to their previous encounters and God's protection over His people. The cultural context highlights the complex relationships between these related groups, where mutual respect and caution were maintained despite historical tensions.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

I have given mount Seir to Esau -Though the descendants of Esau were conquered by David2 Samuel 8:14, yet they were not dispossessed of their land, and in the reign of Jehoshaphat they regained their independence2 Kings 8:20-22.

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