Deuteronomy 2:8
And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Ezion-gaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽנַּעֲבֹ֔ר
And when we passed
H5674
וַֽנַּעֲבֹ֔ר
And when we passed
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
1 of 17
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
מֵאֵ֧ת
H854
מֵאֵ֧ת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אַחֵ֣ינוּ
by from our brethren
H251
אַחֵ֣ינוּ
by from our brethren
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
3 of 17
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
בְנֵֽי
the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַיֹּֽשְׁבִים֙
which dwelt
H3427
הַיֹּֽשְׁבִים֙
which dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בְּשֵׂעִ֔יר
in Seir
H8165
בְּשֵׂעִ֔יר
in Seir
Strong's:
H8165
Word #:
7 of 17
seir, a mountain of idumaea and its indigenous occupants, also one in palestine
דֶּ֖רֶךְ
by the way
H1870
דֶּ֖רֶךְ
by the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
8 of 17
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הָֽעֲרָבָ֔ה
of the plain
H6160
הָֽעֲרָבָ֔ה
of the plain
Strong's:
H6160
Word #:
9 of 17
a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea
וַנֵּ֙פֶן֙
we turned
H6437
וַנֵּ֙פֶן֙
we turned
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
13 of 17
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
וַֽנַּעֲבֹ֔ר
And when we passed
H5674
וַֽנַּעֲבֹ֔ר
And when we passed
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
14 of 17
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
דֶּ֖רֶךְ
by the way
H1870
דֶּ֖רֶךְ
by the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
15 of 17
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Cross References
1 Kings 9:26And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Ezion-geber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.2 Kings 16:6At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.Judges 11:18Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon was the border of Moab.2 Kings 14:22He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
Historical Context
Elath and Ezion-gaber were ports on the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea's northeastern arm). This route skirted Edom's southern border before turning north. Later, Solomon would build ships at Ezion-gaber (1 Kings 9:26), and Elath would remain strategically important in Israel's history.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you seek and follow God's detailed guidance in practical matters?
- What confidence does knowing God cares about specifics bring to your daily decisions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The description of passing 'by the way of the plain from Elath, and from Ezion-gaber' provides specific geographical markers, grounding the narrative in historical reality. Turning toward 'the wilderness of Moab' shows Israel's continued journey northward. Detailed itinerary demonstrates that God's guidance involves concrete, step-by-step direction, not just vague spiritual impressions. God cares about the practical details of our journey.