God’s Word Translation
Deuteronomy 2:4
4Give the people these instructions: ‘You’re going to pass through the territory of your relatives, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They’ll be afraid of you, but be very careful.
Deuteronomy 2:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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:
- New International Version (NIV)Give the people these orders: ‘You are about to pass through the territory of your relatives the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, but be very careful.
- English Standard Version (ESV)and command the people, "You are about to pass through the territory of your brothers, the people of Esau, who live in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. So be very careful.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And command the people, saying, “You are about to pass through the territory of your brethren, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. Therefore watch yourselves carefully.
Context of Deuteronomy 2:4
2The Lord said to me, 3“You’ve traveled around this region long enough. Now go north. Give the people these instructions: ‘You’re going to pass through the territory of your relatives, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They’ll be afraid of you, but be very careful. 5Don’t start a fight with them, because I’m not giving you any of their land—not even enough to stand on. I’ve given Esau’s descendants the region of Mount Seir as their property. 6You must pay them in silver for the food you eat and the water you drink.’ ”
Read all of Deuteronomy 2Deuteronomy 2:4 word by word
וְאֶת־הָעָם֮ צַ֣ו לֵאמֹר֒ אַתֶּ֣ם עֹֽבְרִ֗ים בִּגְבוּל֙ אֲחֵיכֶ֣ם בְּנֵי־עֵשָׂ֔ו הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים בְּשֵׂעִ֑יר וְיִֽירְא֣וּ מִכֶּ֔ם וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם מְאֹֽד׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And commandצָוָהtsâvâh · to commandH6680
- thou the peopleעַם‛am · peopleH5971
- sayingאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- to passעָבַר‛âbar · to passH5674
- through the coastגְּבוּלgebûl gebûl · border: areaH1366
- of your brethrenאָח'âch · brother: compatriotH251
- the childrenבֵּןbên · son: descendant/peopleH1121
- of Esauעֵשָׂו‛êώâv · EsauH6215
- which dwellיָשַׁבyâshab · to dwellH3427
- in Seirשֵׂעִירώê‛îyr · SeirH8165
- and they shall be afraidיָרֵאyârê' · to fearH3372
- of you: take ye goodמְאֹדme'ôd · muchH3966
- heedשָׁמַרshâmar · to keep: carefulH8104
Cross-references for Deuteronomy 2:4
- Deuteronomy 23:7Never consider the Edomites disgusting. They’re your relatives. Never consider the Egyptians disgusting. You once were foreigners living in their country.
- Numbers 20:14Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. He said, “This is what your brother Israel says: You know all the hardships we’ve had.
- Obadiah 1:10“Because of the violence you did to Jacob, your relative, you will be covered with shame. You will be destroyed forever.
- Exodus 15:15The tribal leaders of Edom will be terrified. The powerful men of Moab will tremble. The people of Canaan will be deathly afraid.
- Numbers 22:3The Moabites were very afraid because there were so many Israelites. Besides, the Moabites couldn’t stand these people.
- Numbers 24:14Even though I’m going back to my people, I’ll give you some advice. I’ll tell you what these people will do to your people in the days to come.”
- Matthew 5:16In the same way let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.
- Luke 12:15He told the people, “Be careful to guard yourselves from every kind of greed. Life is not about having a lot of material possessions.”
- Ephesians 5:15So then, be very careful how you live. Don’t live like foolish people but like wise people.
- Philippians 2:15Then you will be blameless and innocent. You will be God’s children without any faults among people who are crooked and corrupt. You will shine like stars among them in the world
- Colossians 4:5Be wise in the way you act toward those who are outside ⌞the Christian faith⌟. Make the most of your opportunities.
Commentaries on Deuteronomy 2:4
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Compare the marginal reference. Though the Edomites resisted the passage through the midst of their land, they did not, and probably could not, oppose the “passing through the coast” or along their eastern frontier.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2-25Numbers 21:10–20 covers the same time period.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir ... shall be afraid of you--The same people who had haughtily repelled the approach of the Israelites from the western frontier were alarmed now that they had come round upon the weak side of their country.Read the comment
Topics related to Deuteronomy 2:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Deuteronomy 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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