Deuteronomy 2:12 - The Horites also lived in Seir before, but the children of Esau succeeded them. They destroyed them from before them, and lived in their place; as Israel did to the land of his possession, which Yahweh gave to them.)
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What does "Deuteronomy 2:12" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 2:12 describes a past conquest in the region of Seir, providing a parallel to the Israelite conquest of Canaan. Let's break down its meaning:
"The Horites also lived in Seir before..." This establishes that a group called the Horites were the original inhabitants of the mountainous region of Seir. Seir is located southeast of the Dead Sea.
"...but the children of Esau succeeded them." The descendants of Esau (also known as Edom) came to control the region. Esau was Jacob's (Israel's) twin brother.
"They destroyed them from before them, and lived in their place..." This indicates that the Edomites conquered the Horites, driving them out or eliminating them and taking possession of their land.
"...as Israel did to the land of his possession, which Yahweh gave to them." This is the key part that connects the Edomite conquest to the Israelite conquest. The verse draws a parallel: the Edomites displaced the Horites just as Israel was in the process of displacing the Canaanites in the land God had promised them.
In essence, the verse serves these purposes:
1. Historical Context: It provides a brief historical note about the previous inhabitants of Seir and how the Edomites came to possess the land.
2. Justification for Conquest: The verse implicitly justifies the Israelite conquest of Canaan by pointing to a similar event in the past. It suggests that displacing a previous population to claim land was a common practice, and in Israel's case, divinely sanctioned. This is because God had promised the Israelites the land. By the time this section was written it was expected that all nations had their own gods who designated land for them.
3. Claim to the Land. It re-enforces that the land was given by God.
Important Considerations:
Historical Accuracy: The historical accuracy of the account of the Horites and their conquest is a matter of scholarly debate. Archaeological evidence is limited.
Ethical Implications: The verse raises complex ethical questions about conquest, displacement, and the justification of violence in the name of religious or nationalistic goals. Modern readers often struggle with these passages, particularly the idea that God would condone or command the displacement or elimination of entire populations.
In summary, Deuteronomy 2:12 uses the historical example of the Edomites displacing the Horites to provide a justification and context for the Israelite conquest of Canaan, emphasizing that Yahweh had given them the land.
Deuteronomy 2:12 - The Horites also lived in Seir before, but the children of Esau succeeded them. They destroyed them from before them, and lived in their place; as Israel did to the land of his possession, which Yahweh gave to them.)
What does "Deuteronomy 2:12" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 2:12 describes a past conquest in the region of Seir, providing a parallel to the Israelite conquest of Canaan. Let's break down its meaning:
"The Horites also lived in Seir before..." This establishes that a group called the Horites were the original inhabitants of the mountainous region of Seir. Seir is located southeast of the Dead Sea.
"...but the children of Esau succeeded them." The descendants of Esau (also known as Edom) came to control the region. Esau was Jacob's (Israel's) twin brother.
"They destroyed them from before them, and lived in their place..." This indicates that the Edomites conquered the Horites, driving them out or eliminating them and taking possession of their land.
"...as Israel did to the land of his possession, which Yahweh gave to them." This is the key part that connects the Edomite conquest to the Israelite conquest. The verse draws a parallel: the Edomites displaced the Horites just as Israel was in the process of displacing the Canaanites in the land God had promised them.
In essence, the verse serves these purposes:
1. Historical Context: It provides a brief historical note about the previous inhabitants of Seir and how the Edomites came to possess the land.
2. Justification for Conquest: The verse implicitly justifies the Israelite conquest of Canaan by pointing to a similar event in the past. It suggests that displacing a previous population to claim land was a common practice, and in Israel's case, divinely sanctioned. This is because God had promised the Israelites the land. By the time this section was written it was expected that all nations had their own gods who designated land for them.
3. Claim to the Land. It re-enforces that the land was given by God.
Important Considerations:
Historical Accuracy: The historical accuracy of the account of the Horites and their conquest is a matter of scholarly debate. Archaeological evidence is limited.
Ethical Implications: The verse raises complex ethical questions about conquest, displacement, and the justification of violence in the name of religious or nationalistic goals. Modern readers often struggle with these passages, particularly the idea that God would condone or command the displacement or elimination of entire populations.
In summary, Deuteronomy 2:12 uses the historical example of the Edomites displacing the Horites to provide a justification and context for the Israelite conquest of Canaan, emphasizing that Yahweh had given them the land.