Deuteronomy 2:12 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Horim originally inhabited Seir until Esau's descendants destroyed them and took their land, paralleling Israel's coming conquest of Canaan.
The Context of Deuteronomy 2:12
The Horim's displacement by Esau's descendants is compared to Israel's future conquest of Canaan.
What Does Deuteronomy 2:12 Mean?
Another historical aside (parallel to vv. 10-11) establishes that just as Edom came into possession of Seir by displacing the Horim, so Israel would come into possession of Canaan by displacing its current inhabitants. The Horim, like the Emims, were an earlier people displaced by covenant peoples. This is presented as a pattern of history reflecting God's providence.
The comparison is theologically significant: Israel's conquest of Canaan is not unprecedented aggression but follows the pattern by which God has distributed lands to covenant peoples throughout history. Other nations have expanded into territories occupied by previous inhabitants. This frames Israel's coming conquest within a broader historical and divine pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 2:12
What does Deuteronomy 2:12 mean?
The Horim originally inhabited Seir until Esau's descendants destroyed them and took their land, paralleling Israel's coming conquest of Canaan.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 2:12?
The Horim's displacement by Esau's descendants is compared to Israel's future conquest of Canaan.