King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 2:12 Mean?

Deuteronomy 2:12 in the King James Version says “The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from bef... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which the LORD gave unto them. succeeded: Heb. inherited stead: or, room

Deuteronomy 2:12 · KJV


Context

10

The Emims dwelt therein in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims;

11

Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims.

12

The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which the LORD gave unto them. succeeded: Heb. inherited stead: or, room

13

Now rise up, said I, and get you over the brook Zered. And we went over the brook Zered. brook: or, valley

14

And the space in which we came from Kadeshbarnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them. brook: or, valley


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The parallel drawn—'The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them'—shows God's pattern of giving nations victory over previous inhabitants. Just as Esau's descendants displaced the Horites and Israel would displace the Canaanites, God orchestrates the rise and fall of peoples according to His purposes. This historical pattern reveals God's active sovereignty in human affairs, not passive observation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Horites (Hurrians) were the original inhabitants of Seir/Edom before Esau's descendants conquered them (Genesis 36:20-30). Archaeological evidence confirms Hurrian presence throughout the ancient Near East. This displacement parallels Israel's conquest, demonstrating that God's providential control extends beyond the covenant people to all nations.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding God's sovereignty over all history affect your view of current events?
  2. What inheritance has God given you that required displacing former 'inhabitants' (sins, habits, mindsets)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וּבְשֵׂעִ֞יר1 of 20

in Seir

H8165

seir, a mountain of idumaea and its indigenous occupants, also one in palestine

וַיֵּֽשְׁב֖וּ2 of 20

also dwelt

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הַֽחֹרִים֮3 of 20

The Horims

H2752

a chorite or indigenous idumaean

מִפְּנֵיהֶ֔ם4 of 20

beforetime

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וּבְנֵ֧י5 of 20

but the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עֵשָׂ֣ו6 of 20

of Esau

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

יִֽירָשׁ֗וּם7 of 20

succeeded

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

וַיַּשְׁמִידוּם֙8 of 20

them when they had destroyed

H8045

to desolate

מִפְּנֵיהֶ֔ם9 of 20

beforetime

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וַיֵּֽשְׁב֖וּ10 of 20

also dwelt

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

תַּחְתָּ֑ם11 of 20
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֧ר12 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂ֣ה13 of 20

did

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל14 of 20

in their stead as Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְאֶ֙רֶץ֙15 of 20

unto the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יְרֻשָּׁת֔וֹ16 of 20

of his possession

H3425

something occupied; a conquest; also a patrimony

אֲשֶׁר17 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָתַ֥ן18 of 20

gave

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יְהוָ֖ה19 of 20

which the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לָהֶֽם׃20 of 20
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 2:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 2:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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