Deuteronomy 2:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 2:1-7

Here is, I. A short account of the long stay of Israel in the wilderness: We compassed Mount Seir many days, Deut. 2:1. Nearly thirty-eight years they wandered in the deserts of Seir; probably in some of their rests they staid several years, and never stirred; God by this not only chastised them for their murmuring and unbelief, but, 1. Prepared them for Canaan, by humbling them for sin, teaching them to mortify their lusts, to follow God, and to comfort themselves in him. It is a work of time... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 2:1

Then we turned ,.... From Kadesh, where they had been many days, and so also their backs on the land of Canaan, on the borders of which they had been: and took our journey into the wilderness, by the way of the Red sea, as the Lord spake unto me ; Deuteronomy 1:40 . and we compassed Mount Seir many days ; many think by Mount Seir is meant the whole mountainous country of Edom, about which they travelled to and fro in the wilderness that lay near it for the space of thirty eight... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 2:1

Verse 1 1.Then we turned and took our journey. The time in which they struck their camp is not stated in the book of Numbers. This verse, therefore, will aptly connect the history, since otherwise there would be an abruptness in what immediately follows, he then briefly indicates what was the nature of their journeying until the time appointed; viz., that, by wearying themselves in vain in circuitous wanderings, they might, at length, learn to follow God directly, and not to decline from the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 2:1

And we compassed mount Seir many days. These "many days" are the thirty-eight years during which the people wandered in the wilderness before they camped the second time at Kadesh; their going round Mount Seir, which was in Edom ( Genesis 36:8 , Genesis 36:9 , Genesis 36:20 ), is descriptive of their nomadic wanderings in various directions, west, south, and south-east of that mountain ( Numbers 21:4 ). "Crossing the long, lofty mountain chain to the eastward of Ezion-geber ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 2:1-23

EXPOSITION THE NEW BEGINNING AND REVIEW OF THE JOURNEYINGS OF ISRAEL FROM KADESH TO THE RIVER ARNON , THE FRONTIER OF THE AMORITES . At this point the language of address is exchanged for that of narrative. The change of subject from "ye abode" to "we turned," became necessary when Moses passed from exhorting and warning the people to narrating what happened after they resumed their journeyings; and gives no support to the notion of some... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 2:1-23

(specially Deuteronomy 2:7 ). God's knowledge of our pilgrimage. (For the historical and geographical details connected with this section, see the Exposition.) Moses here reviews the career of Israel during the wanderings, with reference to their treatment of the nations through whose territory they required to pass on their way. They, though the favored people of Jehovah, were not allowed to transgress the common laws of righteousness, by levying any demands on the nations through... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 2:1-23

International relationships. The wilderness state is the most salutary for men. Prematurely to enter into the land of rest would prove an endless calamity. Theoretically, it is possible to gain heaven too soon. Even "the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering." That heaven may be to us a perfect paradise, there must be complete harmony between the soul and its environment. I. GOD BRINGS NATIONS INTO CONTACT FOR RECIPROCAL MINISTRATION . SO long as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 2:1-23

God's faithfulness in dealing with nations outside the covenant. We have here strict injunctions given to the pilgrims not to disturb the children of Edom, nor the Moabites, nor the children of Ammon, because they were occupying the district assigned them. These tribes, though related to Israel, were not in the covenant. Still God had guaranteed to them certain temporal blessings, and he shows himself faithful in his dealings with them. I. GOD IS A RIGHTEOUS GOVERNOR AMONG ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 2:1-3

Deuteronomy 2:1 seems to refer in general terms to the long years of wandering, the details of which were not for Moses’ present purpose. The command of Deuteronomy 2:2-3 relates to their journey from Kadesh to Mount Hor Numbers 20:22; Numbers 33:37, and directs their march around to the southern extremity of Mount Seir, so as to “compass the land of Edom” Judges 11:18; Numbers 21:4, and so northward toward the Arnon, i. e., “by the way of the wilderness of Moab,” Deuteronomy 2:8. This... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 2:1

Deuteronomy 2:1. We compassed mount Seir The mountainous part of Edom, or Idumea. Many days Even for thirty-eight years, which time they spent in tedious marches to and fro through that desert country, reaching from Kadesh to the Red sea, and in various encampments, till that race of murmurers was quite extinct, and then orders were given them to bend their course again toward Canaan, Deuteronomy 2:3. read more

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