John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. Then we turned , etc.] From Kadesh, where they had been many days, and so also their backs on the land of Canaan, on the borders of which they had been: and took our journey into the wilderness, by the way of the Red sea, as the Lord spake unto me ; ( Deuteronomy 1:40) and we compassed Mount Seir many days ; many think by Mount Seir is meant the whole mountainous country of Edom, about which they travelled to and fro in the wilderness that lay near it for the space of thirty eight years, which they suppose are meant by many days; but I rather think they came to this mount towards the close of the thirty eight years, before they came to Kadesh, from whence they sent messengers to Edom, which they went round about for several days, Ver. 2 . And the Lord spake unto me , etc.] While about Mount Seir: saying ; as follows.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - Only a short account of the long stay of Israel in the wilderness i given. God not only chastised them for their murmuring and unbelief but prepared them for Canaan; by humbling them for sin, teaching the to mortify their lusts, to follow God, and to comfort themselves in him. Though Israel may be long kept waiting for deliverance an enlargement, it will come at last. Before God brought Israel to destro their enemies in Canaan, he taught them to forgive their enemies i Edom. They must not, under pretence of God's covenant and conduct think to seize all they could lay hands on. Dominion is not founded i grace. God's Israel shall be well placed, but must not expect to be placed alone in the midst of the earth. Religion must never be made cloak for injustice. Scorn to be beholden to Edomites, when thou has an all-sufficient God to depend upon. Use what thou hast, use i cheerfully. Thou hast experienced the care of the Divine providence never use any crooked methods for thy supply. All this is equally to be applied to the experience of the believer.
Original Hebrew ונפן6437 ונסע5265 המדברה4057 דרך1870 ים3220 סוף5488 כאשׁר834 דבר1696 יהוה3068 אלי413 ונסב5437 את853 הר2022 שׂעיר8165 ימים3117 רבים׃7227
