Deuteronomy 2:1 - Wanderings in the Wilderness
New International Version
Then we turned back and set out toward the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea, as the LORD had directed me. For a long time we made our way around the hill country of Seir.New Living Translation
“Then we turned around and headed back across the wilderness toward the Red Sea, just as the LORD had instructed me, and we wandered around in the region of Mount Seir for a long time.English Standard Version
“Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea, as the LORD told me. And for many days we traveled around Mount Seir.Berean Standard Bible
Then we turned back and headed for the wilderness by way of the Red Sea, as the LORD had instructed me, and for many days we wandered around Mount Seir.King James Bible
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.New King James Version
“Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness of the Way of the Red Sea, as the LORD spoke to me, and we skirted Mount Seir for many days.New American Standard Bible
“Then we turned and set out for the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea, as the LORD spoke to me, and we circled Mount Seir for many days.NASB 1995
“Then we turned and set out for the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as the LORD spoke to me, and circled Mount Seir for many days.NASB 1977
“Then we turned and set out for the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as the LORD spoke to me, and circled Mount Seir for many days.Legacy Standard Bible
“Then we turned and set out for the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as Yahweh spoke to me, and circled Mount Seir for many days.Amplified Bible
“Then we turned and set out for the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea, just as the LORD had told me; and we circled Mount Seir for many days.Christian Standard Bible
“Then we turned back and headed for the wilderness by way of the Red Sea, as the LORD had told me, and we traveled around the hill country of Seir for many days.Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then we turned back and headed for the wilderness by way of the Red Sea, as the LORD had told me, and we traveled around the hill country of Seir for many days. American Standard Version
Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as Jehovah spake unto me; and we compassed mount Seir many days.Contemporary English Version
We spent many years wandering around outside the hill country of Seir, English Revised Version
Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as the LORD spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days.GOD'S WORD® Translation
We went back into the desert, following the road that goes to the Red Sea as the LORD had told me. For a long time we traveled around the region of Mount Seir.Good News Translation
we finally turned and went into the desert, on the road to the Gulf of Aqaba, as the LORD had commanded, and we spent a long time wandering about in the hill country of Edom. International Standard Version
"We turned and set out for the desert on the road to the Reed Sea, just as the LORD had directed me. We traveled around Mount Seir for many days. Majority Standard Bible
Then we turned back and headed for the wilderness by way of the Red Sea, as the LORD had instructed me, and for many days we wandered around Mount Seir.NET Bible
Then we turned and set out toward the desert land on the way to the Red Sea just as the LORD told me to do, detouring around Mount Seir for a long time.New Heart English Bible
Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Lake of Reeds, as the LORD spoke to me; and we encircled Mount Seir many days.Webster's Bible Translation
Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spoke to me: and we compassed mount Seir many days.World English Bible
Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as Yahweh spoke to me; and we encircled Mount Seir many days.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“And we turn and journey into the wilderness, the way of the Red Sea, as YHWH has spoken to me, and we go around Mount Seir [for] many days.Young's Literal Translation
'And we turn, and journey into the wilderness, the way of the Red Sea, as Jehovah hath spoken unto me, and we go round the mount of Seir many days.Smith's Literal Translation
And turning and removing to the desert the way of the sea of sedge, as Jehovah spake to me: and encompassing mount Seir many days.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And departing from thence we came into the wilderness that leadeth to the Red Sea, as the Lord had spoken to me: and we compassed mount Seir a long time. Catholic Public Domain Version
“And setting out from there, we arrived at the wilderness which leads to the Red Sea, just as the Lord had spoken to me. And we encompassed Mount Seir for a long time.New American Bible
Then we turned and proceeded into the wilderness on the Red Sea road, as the LORD had told me, and circled around the highlands of Seir for a long time.New Revised Standard Version
we journeyed back into the wilderness, in the direction of the Red Sea, as the Lord had told me and skirted Mount Seir for many days.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THEN we turned, and journeyed into the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea, as the LORD spoke to me; and we circled mount Seir for many days.Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
"And we turned and we moved to the wilderness in the way of the Sea of Reeds, as LORD JEHOVAH said to me, and we circled the mountain of Seir many days.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as the LORD spoke unto me; and we compassed mount Seir many days.Brenton Septuagint Translation
And we turned and departed into the wilderness, by the way of the Red Sea, as the Lord spoke to me, and we compassed mount Seir many days.Additional Translations ...
Then we turned back
This phrase indicates a change in direction for the Israelites. After their initial refusal to enter the Promised Land due to fear and lack of faith, God commanded them to turn back into the wilderness. This turning back symbolizes a period of discipline and preparation, as God was not yet ready to lead them into Canaan due to their disobedience.
and headed for the wilderness by way of the Red Sea
The wilderness journey by the way of the Red Sea refers to the Israelites' movement southward, away from the Promised Land. The Red Sea, or Yam Suph, is significant as it was the site of God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egypt. This journey back into the wilderness represents a return to a place of testing and reliance on God, echoing their earlier experiences of God's provision and guidance.
as the LORD had instructed me
This highlights Moses' obedience to God's command. Despite the people's rebellion, Moses remained faithful to God's instructions. It underscores the importance of leadership that adheres to divine guidance, even when the path is difficult or seems regressive. This obedience is a recurring theme in Moses' leadership and is a model for faithfulness.
and for many days we wandered around Mount Seir
Mount Seir is the mountainous region inhabited by the Edomites, descendants of Esau. The wandering around Mount Seir signifies a prolonged period of waiting and testing. This time was necessary for the older generation to pass away and for a new generation to rise, one that would trust in God's promises. The wandering also serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the patience required in God's timing.
Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who is recounting their journey and the instructions given by God.
2. Israelites
The people of God, who are journeying through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt.
3. Wilderness
The desert area where the Israelites wandered for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith.
4. Red Sea
The body of water that the Israelites crossed miraculously during their exodus from Egypt.
5. Hill Country of Seir
The region associated with the descendants of Esau, where the Israelites wandered.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Instructions
The Israelites' journey was directed by God, emphasizing the importance of following His guidance even when the path seems difficult or unclear.
Consequences of Disobedience
The wandering in the wilderness serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and lack of faith in God's promises.
God's Faithfulness in Difficult Times
Despite the Israelites' failures, God remained faithful, providing for their needs and guiding them toward the Promised Land.
Spiritual Journey and Growth
The physical journey of the Israelites mirrors our spiritual journey, where challenges and detours can lead to growth and deeper reliance on God.
Trust in God's Timing
The extended period in the wilderness teaches us to trust in God's timing and His plans, which are often beyond our understanding.
II.
(1) Then.--In the original simply "And." There is no note of time.
By the way of the Red sea.--i.e., in the direction of the Gulf of Akabah, southwards.
As the Lord spake unto me.--In Numbers 14:25, as noted on Deuteronomy 1:40.
Many days.--Until near the close of the thirty-ninth year of the exodus.
Verses 1-23. - 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 recent German critics, that Moses left Kadesh with only a portion of the people, while the rest remained there, so that no entire departure of Israel from Kadesh ever took place - a notion which the whole tenor of the subsequent narrative contradicts. In obedience to the Divine command (Deuteronomy 1:40), the people, after tarrying for a while at Kadesh, took their departure and marched in the direction of the Yam-suph (Numbers 14:25). Verse 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, 9, 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 (Numbers 21:4, 5), the Israelites issued into the great and elevated plains which are still traversed by the Syrian pilgrims on their way to Mecca; and appear to have followed northward nearly the same route which is now taken by the Syrian Hadgi along the western skirts of this great desert near the mountains of Edom" (Robinson, 'Bib. Res.,' 1:253, 559). Mount Seir is now Jebal and esh-Sherah. This mountain range is a continuation of that which surrounds the eastern side of the Dead Sea. The details of this protracted wandering are passed over by Moses as not required by his purpose here. Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then we turned back
וַנֵּ֜פֶן (wan·nê·p̄en)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look
and headed
וַנִּסַּ֤ע (wan·nis·sa‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 5265: To pull up, the tent-pins, start on a, journey
for the wilderness
הַמִּדְבָּ֙רָה֙ (ham·miḏ·bā·rāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech
by way
דֶּ֣רֶךְ (de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action
of the Red
ס֔וּף (sūp̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5488: A reed, the papyrus
Sea,
יַם־ (yam-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin
as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that
the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
had instructed me,
דִּבֶּ֥ר (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue
and for many
רַבִּֽים׃ (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great
days
יָמִ֥ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day
we wandered around
וַנָּ֥סָב (wan·nā·sāḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround
the hill country
הַר־ (har-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country
of Seir.
שֵׂעִ֖יר (śê·‘îr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8165: Seir -- a mountain range in Edom, also its inhabitants, also a mountain in Judah
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Deuteronomy 2:1 Catholic BibleOT Law: Deuteronomy 2:1 Then we turned and took our journey (Deut. De Du)