Deuteronomy 2:1

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וַנֵּ֜פֶן Then we turned H6437
וַנֵּ֜פֶן Then we turned
Strong's: H6437
Word #: 1 of 16
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
וַנִּסַּ֤ע and took our journey H5265
וַנִּסַּ֤ע and took our journey
Strong's: H5265
Word #: 2 of 16
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
הַמִּדְבָּ֙רָה֙ into the wilderness H4057
הַמִּדְבָּ֙רָה֙ into the wilderness
Strong's: H4057
Word #: 3 of 16
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
דֶּ֣רֶךְ by the way H1870
דֶּ֣רֶךְ by the way
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 4 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
יַם sea H3220
יַם sea
Strong's: H3220
Word #: 5 of 16
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
ס֔וּף of the Red H5488
ס֔וּף of the Red
Strong's: H5488
Word #: 6 of 16
a reed, especially the papyrus
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 7 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֥ר spake H1696
דִּבֶּ֥ר spake
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 8 of 16
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֖ה as the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה as the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 9 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֵלָ֑י H413
אֵלָ֑י
Strong's: H413
Word #: 10 of 16
near, with or among; often in general, to
וַנָּ֥סָב unto me and we compassed H5437
וַנָּ֥סָב unto me and we compassed
Strong's: H5437
Word #: 11 of 16
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַר mount H2022
הַר mount
Strong's: H2022
Word #: 13 of 16
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
שֵׂעִ֖יר Seir H8165
שֵׂעִ֖יר Seir
Strong's: H8165
Word #: 14 of 16
seir, a mountain of idumaea and its indigenous occupants, also one in palestine
יָמִ֥ים days H3117
יָמִ֥ים days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 15 of 16
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
רַבִּֽים׃ many H7227
רַבִּֽים׃ many
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 16 of 16
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

Analysis & Commentary

The phrase 'we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness' marks the tragic consequence of unbelief—Israel going backward instead of forward into promise. The 'way of the Red Sea' led them away from Canaan, prolonging their journey unnecessarily. This illustrates how disobedience doesn't just delay blessing but actively moves us away from God's purposes. The 'many days' of circling Mount Seir represents wasted time due to faithless rebellion.

Historical Context

This began the 38 years of wilderness wandering between Kadesh-barnea and finally crossing into Canaan. Numbers 14:33-34 specified exactly 40 years total (one for each day the spies explored the land), demonstrating God's precise justice tempered with continued provision.

Questions for Reflection

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