Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days.

DEUTERONOMY 2:1KJV
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Deuteronomy 2:1 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 2:1 mean?

Deuteronomy 2:1 describes how Moses and the Israelites turned away from their previous path and began traveling through the wilderness, following the route near the Red Sea, just as God had instructed. They spent a long period circling around Mount Seir during this journey.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel, recounting their movements after leaving Kadesh-barnea. The situation is one of transition and obedience, as the people follow God's direction rather than their own plans. The verse sets the stage for the retelling of Israel's wanderings and highlights the long, difficult period spent near Mount Seir before moving forward.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 2:1

  • "wilderness" (מִדְבָּר, midbar): This word often refers to a dry, uninhabited land, not just a sandy desert. Here, it emphasizes the challenging and unsettled environment the Israelites had to travel through.
  • "compassed" (סָבַב, savav): This word means to go around or circle. The verse is not just about passing by Mount Seir, but about spending "many days" moving around it, suggesting a prolonged and possibly frustrating delay.
  • "Red" (סוּף, suf) and "sea" (יָם, yam): Together, these refer to the "Red Sea," but the Hebrew "yam suf" can also mean "Sea of Reeds." This gives a sense of the specific geographic area the Israelites were near, which may not be the modern Red Sea but rather a marshy region.

Why Deuteronomy 2:1 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Israelites' wandering was not aimless but was done in obedience to God's specific instructions, even when the path seemed indirect.
  • The mention of "many days" circling Mount Seir highlights the length and difficulty of this stage in their journey, which sets up the context for the lessons Moses draws in the following verses.
  • Understanding the original words for "wilderness" and "Red Sea" helps modern readers picture the actual landscape and challenges faced, rather than imagining only endless sand or a single body of water.