Deuteronomy 2:3
Deuteronomy 2:3 in Multiple Translations
“You have been wandering around this hill country long enough; turn to the north
Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.
Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.
You have been journeying round this mountain long enough: now go to the north;
“You have been wandering around this mountain long enough. Go back north,
Ye haue compassed this mountaine long ynough: turne you Northward.
Enough to you — is the going round of this mount; turn for yourselves northward.
“You have encircled this mountain long enough. Turn northward.
Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.
You have compassed this mountain long enough: go toward the north:
‘You have been wandering around this hilly area for a long enough time. Now turn and travel toward the north.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 2:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 2:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
רַב
לָ/כֶ֕ם
סֹ֖ב
אֶת
הָ/הָ֣ר
הַ/זֶּ֑ה
פְּנ֥וּ
לָ/כֶ֖ם
צָפֹֽנָ/ה
רַב
rab
H7227
many
Adj
לָ/כֶ֕ם
Prep | Suff
סֹ֖ב
çâbab
H5437
to turn
V-Qal-Inf-a
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הָ/הָ֣ר
har
H2022
mountain
Art | N-ms
הַ/זֶּ֑ה
zeh
H2088
this
Art | Pron
פְּנ֥וּ
pânâh
H6437
Corner (Gate)
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
לָ/כֶ֖ם
Prep | Suff
צָפֹֽנָ/ה
tsâphôwn
H6828
Zaphon
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 2:3
רַב
rab
H7227
"many"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
לָ/כֶ֕ם
""
Prep | Suff
סֹ֖ב
çâbab
H5437
"to turn"
V-Qal-Inf-a
To turn or surround is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can be used literally or figuratively. It appears in the Bible to describe changing direction or surrounding something.
Definition: : turn/bring_around 1) to turn, turn about or around or aside or back or towards, go about or around, surround, encircle, change direction 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn, turn about, be brought round, change 1a2) to march or walk around, go partly around, circle about, skirt, make a round, make a circuit, go about to, surround, encompass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to turn oneself, close round, turn round 1b2) to be turned over to 1c) (Piel) to turn about, change, transform 1d) (Poel) 1d1) to encompass, surround 1d2) to come about, assemble round 1d3) to march, go about 1d4) to enclose, envelop 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to turn, cause to turn, turn back, reverse, bring over, turn into, bring round 1e2) to cause to go around, surround, encompass 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be turned 1f2) to be surrounded
Usage: Occurs in 148 OT verses. KJV: bring, cast, fetch, lead, make, walk, [idiom] whirl, [idiom] round about, be about on every side, apply, avoid, beset (about), besiege, bring again, carry (about), change, cause to come about, [idiom] circuit, (fetch a) compass (about, round), drive, environ, [idiom] on every side, beset (close, come, compass, go, stand) round about, inclose, remove, return, set, sit down, turn (self) (about, aside, away, back). See also: Genesis 2:11; 1 Chronicles 16:43; Psalms 7:8.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הָ/הָ֣ר
har
H2022
"mountain"
Art | N-ms
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
הַ/זֶּ֑ה
zeh
H2088
"this"
Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
פְּנ֥וּ
pânâh
H6437
"Corner (Gate)"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This Hebrew word means to turn or face something, like looking at a corner or a gate. It appears in descriptions of daily life and interactions, like in Genesis and Psalms. It's about changing direction or focus.
Definition: This name means corner, to turn, to turn back Another spelling of pin.nah (פִּנָּה "Corner( Gate)" H6438)
Usage: Occurs in 128 OT verses. KJV: appear, at (even-) tide, behold, cast out, come on, [idiom] corner, dawning, empty, go away, lie, look, mark, pass away, prepare, regard, (have) respect (to), (re-) turn (aside, away, back, face, self), [idiom] right (early). See also: Genesis 18:22; 2 Kings 13:23; Psalms 25:16.
לָ/כֶ֖ם
""
Prep | Suff
צָפֹֽנָ/ה
tsâphôwn
H6828
"Zaphon"
N-fs | Suff
This word means 'north' and is used to describe a direction or location. In the Bible, it is often translated as 'north' or 'northern side'.
Definition: This name means north Also named: tsa.phon (צָפוֹן "Zaphon" H6829)
Usage: Occurs in 141 OT verses. KJV: north(-ern, side, -ward, wind). See also: Genesis 13:14; Jeremiah 6:22; Psalms 48:3.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 2:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 2:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 2:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 2:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:3
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 2:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:3
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 2:3
Context — Wanderings in the Wilderness
1Then we turned back and headed for the wilderness by way of the Red Sea, as the LORD had instructed me, and for many days we wandered around Mount Seir.
2At this time the LORD said to me,
3“You have been wandering around this hill country long enough; turn to the north
4and 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. 5Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a footprint, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as his possession.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 1:6 | The LORD our God said to us at Horeb: “You have stayed at this mountain long enough. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 2:14 | The time we spent traveling from Kadesh-barnea until we crossed over the Brook of Zered was thirty-eight years, until that entire generation of fighting men had perished from the camp, as the LORD had sworn to them. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 2:7 | Indeed, the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. The LORD your God has been with you these forty years, and you have lacked nothing. |
Deuteronomy 2:3 Summary
In Deuteronomy 2:3, God tells the Israelites that it's time to stop wandering and start moving forward, which is a reminder that God is always guiding us and has a plan for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11). This verse encourages us to trust God's timing and to be patient, even when we don't understand what's happening (Psalm 27:14). Just like the Israelites, we can trust that God will lead us to the place He has prepared for us, if we follow His instructions and trust in His goodness (Joshua 1:9). By trusting God, we can have confidence that He will guide us through life's journey, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'wander around this hill country' in Deuteronomy 2:3?
This phrase refers to the Israelites' prolonged journey through the wilderness, as they were being led by God, and is a reminder that God's timing is perfect, as seen in Deuteronomy 1:3 and Exodus 13:18.
Why did God tell the Israelites to turn to the north in Deuteronomy 2:3?
God instructed the Israelites to turn north because their wilderness journey was at an end, and it was time for them to begin their conquest of Canaan, as promised in Genesis 12:7 and Joshua 1:2.
Is there a spiritual application to the concept of 'wandering' in Deuteronomy 2:3?
Yes, the concept of wandering can be applied to our own spiritual journeys, reminding us that God sometimes leads us through periods of uncertainty, but He always has a plan, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Proverbs 3:5-6.
How does Deuteronomy 2:3 relate to the overall story of the Israelites' journey?
Deuteronomy 2:3 marks a significant turning point in the Israelites' journey, as they transition from wandering in the wilderness to preparing to enter the Promised Land, a journey that began in Exodus 12:37 and will continue in Joshua 1:1-9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I feel like I've been 'wandering' for too long, and how can I trust God's timing?
- How can I apply the principle of trusting God's guidance, as seen in Deuteronomy 2:3, to my own life?
- In what ways can I be more mindful of God's presence and leading in my life, even when the journey ahead seems uncertain?
- What are some promises or instructions God has given me that I need to remember and trust, just as the Israelites were reminded of God's promises in Deuteronomy 1:8?
- How can I balance the need for patience and trust in God's timing with the need for action and obedience, as seen in Deuteronomy 2:3-4?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 2:3
Ye have compassed this mountain long enough,.... It was time to be gone from thence, as from Horeb, Deuteronomy 1:6, turn you northward; from the southern border of Edom towards the land of Canaan, which lay north.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 2:3
And the LORD spake unto me, saying, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:3
Towards the land of the Amorites and Canaanites.
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:3
Deuteronomy 2:3 Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.Ver. 3. Turn you northward.] Thus God’ s word was their director unto all places, and in all actions. In which respect these histories of holy Scripture excel all human histories in the world, as is well observed. That which they tell us of their Dea vibilia, guiding passengers, &c., is a mere fiction.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:3
(3) Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.—Apparently this command must have been issued when they were in Kadesh the second time, at the commencement of the fortieth year (Numbers 20:1). It was from this encampment that Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom asking permission to pass through his territory. It would be interesting to know when it was decided that Israel should enter the land of promise by passing over Jordan, instead of going through the Negeb. Did Mount Seir, or the territory of Edom, lie wholly on the east, or partly on the west of Israel when they were encamped in Kadesh? If Edom had acquired any territorial rights to the westward during the thirty-eight years’ wandering, it might have been necessary for Israel to ask his permission to go by the way of the spies, and in that case the decision to pass Jordan may have been taken in consequence of Edom’s refusal. But if, as Conder (Bible Handbook, p. 250) appears to think, the permission asked was to go eastward between the mountains by the W. el Ghaweir to the north of Mount Hor, or the W. Ghurundel to the south of it (see Stanley’s Map in Sinai and Palestine for these), then the decision to pass the Jordan must have been taken before this period. The reason for the step would then be similar to what we find in Exodus 13:17, that the people might not have to fight their way into the country through the land of the Amorites. The miraculous eisodus across Jordan would thus become still more analogous to the miraculous exodus from Egypt.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:3
Verse 3. Turn you northward.] From Mount Seir, in order to get to Canaan. This was not the way they went before, viz., by Kadesh-barnea, but they were to proceed between Edom on the one hand, and Moab and Ammon on the other, so as to enter into Canaan through the land of the Amorites.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 2:3
3. Ye have compassed this mountain long enough] For the idiom see on Deuteronomy 1:6. turn you northward] Marching from Ḳ ?adesh down the W. of Mt Se‘îr, Israel had now reached not the sea, but probably the mouth of the W. el ’Ithm (or Yitm), which opens N.E. from the ‘Arabah across or round the S. end of Mt Se‘îr. By this natural avenue, along which the Hajj road from Damascus to Mecca runs, they would reach the plateau E. of Mt Se‘îr on their way to the Moab frontier. The W. el ’Ithm, opening from the ‘Arabah about 8 hours N. of the sea, cuts upwards through the southmost of the modern divisions into which the country anciently inhabited by Edom is divided, el-Ḥ ?isma or Ḥ ?esma. (See Doughty Ar. Des. i. 45; Musil, Edom, i. 2, 265, 270, etc.)
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:3
3. Turn you northward — When they should reach the southern limit of the Arabah they were to go northward toward the Arnon.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 2:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Demonology) How to Overcome - Part 1 by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about his time as a soldier and the violent actions he took. He reflects on the consequences of his actions and the guilt he fee |
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When Do We Need Revival? by Alan Bartley | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of soul winning and warns about the consequences of neglecting it. He refers to Ezekiel 33, where God appoints a watchman to |
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Deuteronomy 2:3 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the call from God to move on from spiritual stagnation, highlighting the Israelites' forty years of wandering as a metaphor for the monotony and lack of prog |
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(How to Get Out of a Religious Rut): Errors in Thinking by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses a man who is struggling and feeling unable to be the person he wants to be. However, he realizes that through Jesus Christ, he can find freed |
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(How to Get Out of a Religious Rut): It's Imperative to Get Out of the Rut Now! by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being wholehearted Christians and not settling for a half-hearted faith. He urges the congregation to take their faith ser |
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(How to Get Out of a Religious Rut): The Church in the Rut by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher uses the analogy of a radio signal fading out as one travels away from the city to illustrate how the passing of time can dull a person's religious fee |
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Old Testament Survey - Part 22 by Dick Woodward | This sermon delves into the book of Deuteronomy, emphasizing the importance of obeying God's laws and remembering His miracles. It highlights the need to guard against affluence an |