Deuteronomy 2:5

Wanderings in the Wilderness · Deuteronomy 2:1–23
Read Deuteronomy 2

Translations

Modern
Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a footprint, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as his possession.
Traditional
Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.
Literal
Do not meddle with them, for I will not give to you of their land even the treading of the sole of a foot. For as a possession to Esau I have given Mount Seir.
Latin
Videte ergo diligenter ne moveamini contra eos. Neque enim dabo vobis de terra eorum quantum potest unius pedis calcare vestigium, quia in possessionem Esau dedi montem Seir.

Original

Hebrew
English
Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a footprint, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as his possession.

Notes

I have given: God's gift of a promised land was not only for Israel. He also gave lands to Edom, Moab, Ammon, and the Caphtorites (2:9; 2:19; 2:22–23).

God chose Israel as a special nation (1:31; see also 7:6; 14:2; Exodus 19:5). Yet, he is the God of all nations and has a place and purpose for each one (Deuteronomy 32:8; Acts 17:26). This is true even for those who do not acknowledge his rule (Romans 1:16–23).

Numbers 21:10–20 covers the same time period.

Secular treaties (formal agreements between nations) often included a section about the past relationship between the two partners. This section reviewed what had happened before the agreement.

In this case, the purpose was to review Israel’s successes and failures since the exodus from Egypt. It reminded the people that God had kept his word, even when they did not obey him.

To prepare the Israelites for life in Canaan, Moses reminded them about life in Egypt, their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, and their past mistakes. He warned them to obey God's covenant. He assured them that God's grace would follow them as they learned to trust and obey the Lord.

Theme notes and profiles

Esau

People

Esau: Isaac's firstborn son; sold birthright to Jacob; became Edom

Places

Mount Seir: Mountainous region in Seir, associated with Edom

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Deuteronomy, Book of Numbers, Book of Seir (Place)

Topics

Edomites: Land of Edomites: Protected by Divine Command from Desolation by the Israelites Esau: His Name Used to Denote his Descendants and Their Country Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin: Orders Given Respecting Edom Seir: Later Inhabited by the Descendants of Esau After They Destroyed the Horim People The Edomites: Country of: Specially Given to Them The Edomites: Dwelt in Mount Seir