Deuteronomy 2:12
The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which the LORD gave unto them.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְשֵׂעִ֞יר
in Seir
H8165
וּבְשֵׂעִ֞יר
in Seir
Strong's:
H8165
Word #:
1 of 20
seir, a mountain of idumaea and its indigenous occupants, also one in palestine
וַיֵּֽשְׁב֖וּ
also dwelt
H3427
וַיֵּֽשְׁב֖וּ
also dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
מִפְּנֵיהֶ֔ם
beforetime
H6440
מִפְּנֵיהֶ֔ם
beforetime
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וּבְנֵ֧י
but the children
H1121
וּבְנֵ֧י
but the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִֽירָשׁ֗וּם
succeeded
H3423
יִֽירָשׁ֗וּם
succeeded
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
7 of 20
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
מִפְּנֵיהֶ֔ם
beforetime
H6440
מִפְּנֵיהֶ֔ם
beforetime
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַיֵּֽשְׁב֖וּ
also dwelt
H3427
וַיֵּֽשְׁב֖וּ
also dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
תַּחְתָּ֑ם
H8478
תַּחְתָּ֑ם
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
11 of 20
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשָׂ֣ה
did
H6213
עָשָׂ֣ה
did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
13 of 20
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
in their stead as Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
in their stead as Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
14 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יְרֻשָּׁת֔וֹ
of his possession
H3425
יְרֻשָּׁת֔וֹ
of his possession
Strong's:
H3425
Word #:
16 of 20
something occupied; a conquest; also a patrimony
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֥ן
gave
H5414
נָתַ֥ן
gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
18 of 20
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Historical Context
The Horites (Hurrians) were the original inhabitants of Seir/Edom before Esau's descendants conquered them (Genesis 36:20-30). Archaeological evidence confirms Hurrian presence throughout the ancient Near East. This displacement parallels Israel's conquest, demonstrating that God's providential control extends beyond the covenant people to all nations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding God's sovereignty over all history affect your view of current events?
- What inheritance has God given you that required displacing former 'inhabitants' (sins, habits, mindsets)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The parallel drawn—'The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them'—shows God's pattern of giving nations victory over previous inhabitants. Just as Esau's descendants displaced the Horites and Israel would displace the Canaanites, God orchestrates the rise and fall of peoples according to His purposes. This historical pattern reveals God's active sovereignty in human affairs, not passive observation.