"Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a footbreadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession."
This verse is part of Moses’ retelling of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness and their encounters with various nations. In this particular verse, Moses is instructing the Israelites regarding their interaction with the descendants of Esau, who inhabited the region of Mount Seir.
Context:The book of Deuteronomy is Moses’ final address to the Israelites, given just before they entered the Promised Land. Moses recounts their history, reiterates God’s laws, and reminds the people of God’s faithfulness.
"Meddle not with them":Moses advises the Israelites not to engage in conflict with the descendants of Esau. The word "meddle" implies meddling or interfering with them. The Israelites were to avoid provoking or fighting against the people of Esau.
"I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth":God informs the Israelites that He has given the land of Mount Seir to Esau and his descendants as their possession. Therefore, the Israelites were not to take any of their land or encroach upon their territory.
The principle of respecting boundaries:This verse emphasizes the principle of respecting the land boundaries established by God for different nations. God had a specific plan for each group of people, and the Israelites were not to trespass upon the territory allotted to others.
Esau and the Edomites:Esau was the twin brother of Jacob, and their story is narrated in the book of Genesis. The descendants of Esau became known as the Edomites. Esau’s lineage settled in the region of Mount Seir, southeast of the land of Canaan.
God’s sovereignty and distribution of land:The verse reflects God’s sovereignty over the land and His authority to allocate it as He sees fit. It demonstrates that God had specific plans for each nation and assigned territories according to His divine purposes.
Overall, Deuteronomy 2:5 highlights the importance of respecting the boundaries and possessions of others. It serves as a reminder to the Israelites that God had designated Mount Seir for the descendants of Esau, and they were to refrain from encroaching upon it. This verse also underscores God’s sovereignty in the distribution of land and His faithfulness to fulfill His promises to different people groups.
