Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 2:4
and command the people: ‘You will pass through the territory of your brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, so you must be very careful.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites at the threshold of the Promised Land, directing them on their northern route after prolonged wilderness wandering.
The words — צַו (tzav) translates to "command," and עֹבְרִים ('obrim) means "passing through."
The thread — The directive to handle relations with Edom carefully appears in Numbers 20:14 when Moses sends messengers to the king of Edom, and Deuteronomy 23:7 when the text forbids despising an Edomite as a brother.
Why it lands — The passage requires strict behavioral restraint during a sensitive transit, demanding that readers exercise caution and avoid provocation when moving through territory designated for relatives.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore:
Cross-references
- Numbers 20:14 From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to tell the king of Edom, “This is what your brother Israel says: You know all the hardship that has befallen us,
- Exodus 15:15 Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away,
- Deuteronomy 23:7 Do not despise an Edomite, for he is your brother. Do not despise an Egyptian, because you lived as a foreigner in his land.
- Numbers 22:3 and Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous. Indeed, Moab dreaded the Israelites.
- Obadiah 1:10 Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever.
- Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
- Luke 12:15 And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
- Ephesians 5:15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
- Philippians 2:15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world
- Colossians 4:5 Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.