Deuteronomy 2:12
The Horites used to live in Seir, but the descendants of Esau drove them out. They destroyed the Horites from before them and settled in their place, just as Israel did in the land that the LORD gave them as their possession.)
The Horites used to live in Seir,

The Horites were the earlier inhabitants of the mountainous region of Seir, south of the Dead Sea in present-day Jordan. Their name means “cave-dwellers.” Before Edom became established there, this land was occupied by these ancient people.

Gen 14:6 and the Horites in the area of Mount Seir,…
Gen 36:20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who were living…
1Ch 1:38 The sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah…

but the descendants of Esau drove them out.

Esau’s descendants, the Edomites, displaced the Horites and took control of Seir. Their possession of the land formed part of the territory God allotted to Esau’s family.

Gen 36:8 So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the area of Mount Seir.
Jos 24:4 and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. I gave Esau Mount Seir…
Gen 27:40 You shall live by the sword and serve your brother.…

They destroyed the Horites from before them and settled in their place,

The Horites were removed, and the Edomites established their own communities in Seir. Edom thereafter became the enduring homeland of Esau’s descendants.

Gen 36:21 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. They are the chiefs of the Horites…
Gen 36:29 These are the chiefs of the Horites: Chiefs Lotan,…
Gen 36:30 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. They are the chiefs…

just as Israel did in the land that the LORD gave them as their possession.)

Israel’s occupation of Canaan was comparable in outcome, though it followed God’s specific promise and command. Both Edom and Israel received defined lands, showing that the Lord directs the boundaries and inheritance of nations.

Jos 21:43 Thus the LORD gave Israel all the land He had sworn…
Jos 11:23 So Joshua took the entire land, as the LORD had spoken…
Psa 105:44 He gave them the lands of the nations…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Horites
An ancient people who originally inhabited the region of Seir. They were known for their mountainous dwellings and were eventually displaced by the descendants of Esau.

2. Seir
A mountainous region located in Edom, south of the Dead Sea. It became the possession of Esau's descendants after they drove out the Horites.

3. Descendants of Esau
Also known as the Edomites, they are the descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. They settled in the region of Seir after displacing the Horites.

4. Israel
The nation chosen by God, consisting of the descendants of Jacob (Esau's brother). They were given the land of Canaan as their inheritance by God.

5. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is the divine orchestrator of Israel's history and the giver of the Promised Land.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Land Allocation
God is the ultimate authority over the earth and its territories. Just as He allocated Seir to Esau's descendants, He also designated Canaan for Israel. This reminds us of God's control over our lives and circumstances.

The Fulfillment of God's Promises
The displacement of the Horites and the settlement of Esau's descendants in Seir demonstrate the fulfillment of God's promises. Believers can trust that God will fulfill His promises in His timing.

The Importance of Obedience and Faithfulness
The Israelites' conquest of Canaan required obedience and faithfulness to God's commands. Similarly, believers are called to live obediently, trusting in God's provision and guidance.

Historical Context and Its Lessons
Understanding the historical context of biblical events helps us see God's hand in history. It encourages us to reflect on how God is working in our own lives and the world today.

The Role of Divine Providence
The account of land possession highlights divine providence. Believers are encouraged to recognize and rely on God's providence in their daily lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the displacement of the Horites by Esau's descendants illustrate God's sovereignty over nations and lands?

2. In what ways can we see the fulfillment of God's promises in our own lives, similar to how He fulfilled His promises to Esau and Israel?

3. What lessons can we learn from the obedience and faithfulness required of Israel as they took possession of the Promised Land?

4. How does understanding the historical context of Deuteronomy 2:12 enhance our appreciation of God's work in history?

5. How can we apply the concept of divine providence in our daily decision-making and trust in God's plan for our lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 36:8-9
This passage provides background on Esau's move to the hill country of Seir and the establishment of his descendants there, connecting to the displacement of the Horites.

Numbers 21:21-35
These verses describe Israel's journey and conquests as they approach the Promised Land, paralleling the displacement of the Horites by Esau's descendants.

Joshua 11:16-23
This passage details Israel's conquest of Canaan, similar to how Esau's descendants took over Seir, emphasizing God's role in granting land to His chosen people.
God's Faithfulness in Dealing with Nations Outside the CovenantR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 2:1-23
International RelationshipsD. Davies Deuteronomy 2:1-23
Edom, Moab, AmmonJ. Orr Deuteronomy 2:4-10, 17-20
The Emims, Horims, Zamzummins, EtcJ. Orr Deuteronomy 2:10-13, 20-24
People
Ammonites, Anakites, Avvites, Caphtorim, Caphtorites, Emites, Esau, Geber, Horites, Moabites, Moses, Rephaites, Seir, Sihon, Zamzummites
Places
Ammon, Ar, Arabah, Aroer, Caphtor, Elath, Ezion-geber, Gaza, Gilead, Heshbon, Jabbok River, Jahaz, Jordan River, Kadesh-barnea, Kedemoth, Moab, Mount Seir, Red Sea, Seir, Valley of the Arnon, Zered
Topics
Aforetime, Beforetime, Descendants, Destroy, Destroyed, Destruction, Dispossess, Dispossessed, Drove, Dwell, Dwelt, Earlier, Esau, Formerly, Heritage, Horim, Horims, Horites, Past, Possession, Seir, Se'ir, Settled, Sons, Stead, Succeeded, Themselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 2:8

     5336   highway

Library
A Great Part of South Judea Cut Off under the Second Temple. Jewish Idumean.
The Talmudic girdle ends, as you see, in "Kadesh, Barnea, and Ascalon." Hence it cannot but be observed, that these two places are placed, as it were, in parallel; and whatsoever space lies between Ascalon and the river of Egypt, is excluded,--to wit, fifty-four miles. And one might, indeed, almost see some footsteps of that exclusion under the first Temple, in that very common expression, "From Dan even to Beer-sheba." This country, that was excluded, was something barren. The Talmudists speak thus
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The New Leaders Commission
'Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2. Moses My servant is dead: now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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