King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 2:5 Mean?

Deuteronomy 2:5 in the King James Version says “Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth ; because I have given mo... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth ; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession. no: Heb. even to the treading of the sole of the foot

Deuteronomy 2:5 · KJV


Context

3

Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.

4

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:

5

Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth ; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession. no: Heb. even to the treading of the sole of the foot

6

Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink.

7

For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's explicit prohibition—'Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land'—defines limits to Israel's conquest. The reason given ('I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession') reveals God's sovereignty over all nations, not just Israel. God assigns territories according to His purposes, and Israel must respect His decisions. This prevents presumptuous aggression disguised as faith and teaches that not every opportunity equals a divine mandate.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

God's grant to Esau predated the promise to Abraham's line through Jacob. This demonstrates God's providence extends to all nations—He is sovereign over human history broadly, not just redemptive history narrowly. Romans 9:13's 'Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated' concerns God's sovereign choice in redemptive purposes, not personal vindictiveness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you distinguish between what God has promised you versus what belongs to others?
  2. In what areas might you be overreaching beyond God's specific calling for you?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
אַל1 of 19
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּתְגָּר֣וּ2 of 19

Meddle

H1624

properly, to grate, i.e., (figuratively) to anger

בָ֔ם3 of 19
H0
כִּ֠י4 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹֽא5 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נָתַ֖תִּי6 of 19

because I have given

H5414

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

לָכֶם֙7 of 19
H0
מֵֽאַרְצָ֔ם8 of 19

you of their land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

עַ֖ד9 of 19
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

מִדְרַ֣ךְ10 of 19

breadth

H4096

a treading, i.e., a place for stepping on

כַּף11 of 19
H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

רָ֑גֶל12 of 19

no not so much as a foot

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

כִּֽי13 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יְרֻשָּׁ֣ה14 of 19

for a possession

H3425

something occupied; a conquest; also a patrimony

לְעֵשָׂ֔ו15 of 19

unto Esau

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

נָתַ֖תִּי16 of 19

because I have given

H5414

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

אֶת17 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַ֥ר18 of 19

mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

שֵׂעִֽיר׃19 of 19

Seir

H8165

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


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 2:5 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 2:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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