Deuteronomy 2:12
New International Version
Horites used to live in Seir, but the descendants of Esau drove them out. They destroyed the Horites from before them and settled in their place, just as Israel did in the land the LORD gave them as their possession.)

New Living Translation
In earlier times the Horites had lived in Seir, but they were driven out and displaced by the descendants of Esau, just as Israel drove out the people of Canaan when the LORD gave Israel their land.)

English Standard Version
The Horites also lived in Seir formerly, but the people of Esau dispossessed them and destroyed them from before them and settled in their place, as Israel did to the land of their possession, which the LORD gave to them.)

Berean Standard Bible
The Horites used to live in Seir, but the descendants of Esau drove them out. They destroyed the Horites from before them and settled in their place, just as Israel did in the land that the LORD gave them as their possession.)

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
The Horites formerly dwelt in Seir, but the descendants of Esau dispossessed them and destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their place, just as Israel did to the land of their possession which the LORD gave them.)

New American Standard Bible
The Horites previously lived in Seir, but the sons of Esau dispossessed them and destroyed them from before them, and settled in their place; just as Israel did to the land of their possession which the LORD gave them.)

NASB 1995
The Horites formerly lived in Seir, but the sons of Esau dispossessed them and destroyed them from before them and settled in their place, just as Israel did to the land of their possession which the LORD gave to them.)

NASB 1977
The Horites formerly lived in Seir, but the sons of Esau dispossessed them and destroyed them from before them and settled in their place, just as Israel did to the land of their possession which the LORD gave to them.)

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the Horites formerly lived in Seir, but the sons of Esau dispossessed them and destroyed them from before them and settled in their place, just as Israel would do to the land of their possession which Yahweh gave to them.)

Amplified Bible
The Horites also used to live in Seir, but the sons of Esau dispossessed them. They destroyed them from before them and settled in their place, just as Israel did in the land which the LORD gave them as their possession.)

Christian Standard Bible
The Horites had previously lived in Seir, but the descendants of Esau drove them out, destroying them completely and settling in their place, just as Israel did in the land of its possession the LORD gave them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Horites had previously lived in Seir, but the descendants of Esau drove them out, destroying them completely and settling in their place, just as Israel did in the land of its possession the LORD gave them.”

American Standard Version
The Horites also dwelt in Seir aforetime, but the children of Esau succeeded them; and they destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which Jehovah gave unto them).

Contemporary English Version
The Horites used to live in Seir, but the Edomites took over that region. They killed many of the Horites and forced the rest of them to leave, just as Israel did to the people in the land that the LORD gave them.

English Revised Version
The Horites also dwelt in Seir aforetime, but the children of Esau succeeded them; and they 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.)

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Horites used to live in Seir, but the descendants of Esau claimed their land, wiped them out, and took their place, as Israel did in the land that the LORD gave them.

Good News Translation
The Horites used to live in Edom, but the descendants of Esau chased them out, destroyed their nation, and settled there themselves, just as the Israelites later chased their enemies out of the land that the LORD gave them.)

International Standard Version
The Horites used to live in Seir before the descendants of Esau dispossessed them, exterminated them, and settled there instead, just as Israel will do in the land of its possession, which the LORD gave them.)

Majority Standard Bible
The Horites used to live in Seir, but the descendants of Esau drove them out. They destroyed the Horites from before them and settled in their place, just as Israel did in the land that the LORD gave them as their possession.)

NET Bible
Previously the Horites lived in Seir but the descendants of Esau dispossessed and destroyed them and settled in their place, just as Israel did to the land it came to possess, the land the LORD gave them.)

New Heart English Bible
The Horites also lived in Seir before, but the descendants of Esau succeeded them; and they destroyed them from before them, and lived in their place; as Israel did to the land of his possession, which the LORD gave to them.)

Webster's Bible Translation
The Horims also dwelt formerly in Seir, but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did to the land of his possession, which the LORD gave to them.)

World English Bible
The Horites also lived in Seir in the past, 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.)
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the Horim have formerly dwelt in Seir, but the sons of Esau dispossess them, and destroy them from before them, and dwell in their stead, as Israel has done to the land of his possession which YHWH has given to them.

Young's Literal Translation
And in Seir have the Horim dwelt formerly; and the sons of Esau dispossess them, and destroy them from before them, and dwell in their stead, as Israel hath done to the land of his possession, which Jehovah hath given to them;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the Horims dwelt in Seir before them, and the sons of Esau will inherit them, and they will destroy them from before them, and they will dwell instead of them; as Israel did to the land of his possession which Jehovah gave to them.)
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The Horrhites also formerly dwelt in Seir: who being driven out and destroyed, the children of Esau dwelt there, as Israel did in the land of his possession, which the Lord gave him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The Horites also formerly lived at Seir. When these had been driven out and destroyed, the sons of Esau lived there, just as Israel did in the land of his possession, which the Lord gave to him.

New American Bible
In Seir, however, the former inhabitants were the Horites; the descendants of Esau dispossessed them, clearing them out of the way and dwelling in their place, just as Israel has done in the land of its possession which the LORD gave it.)

New Revised Standard Version
Moreover, the Horim had formerly inhabited Seir, but the descendants of Esau dispossessed them, destroying them and settling in their place, as Israel has done in the land that the LORD gave them as a possession.)
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The Horites also dwelt formerly in Seir; but the children of Esau possessed them and destroyed them from before them and settled in their land, as Israel did to the land of his possession, which the LORD gave to them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Khorites dwelt in Seir from first and the children of Esau inherited them and destroyed them from before them and they dwelt in their land as did Israel in the land of his inheritance that LORD JEHOVAH gave to them.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And in Seir dwelt the Horites aforetime, but the children of Esau succeeded them; and they 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.--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Chorrhite dwelt in Seir before, and the sons of Esau destroyed them, and utterly consumed them from before them; and they dwelt in their place, as Israel did to the land of his inheritance, which the Lord gave to them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Wanderings in the Wilderness
11Like the Anakites, they were also regarded as Rephaim, though the Moabites called them Emites. 12The Horites used to live in Seir, but the descendants of Esau drove them out. They destroyed the Horites from before them and settled in their place, just as Israel did in the land that the LORD gave them as their possession.) 13“Now arise and cross over the Brook of Zered.” So we crossed over the Brook of Zered.…

Cross References
Numbers 21:24-25
And Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok—but only up to the border of the Ammonites, because it was fortified. / Israel captured all the cities of the Amorites and occupied them, including Heshbon and all its villages.

Joshua 3:10
He continued, “This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that He will surely drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites.

Joshua 11:16-23
So Joshua took this entire region: the hill country, all the Negev, all the land of Goshen, the western foothills, the Arabah, and the mountains of Israel and their foothills, / from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon at the foot of Mount Hermon. He captured all their kings and struck them down, putting them to death. / Joshua waged war against all these kings for a long period of time. ...

Judges 11:21-23
Then the LORD, the God of Israel, delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, who defeated them. So Israel took possession of all the land of the Amorites who inhabited that country, / seizing all the land from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the wilderness to the Jordan. / Now since the LORD, the God of Israel, has driven out the Amorites from before His people Israel, should you now possess it?

2 Chronicles 20:7
Our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend?

Nehemiah 9:22-24
You gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner of the land. So they took the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and of Og king of Bashan. / You multiplied their descendants like the stars of heaven and brought them to the land You had told their fathers to enter and possess. / So their descendants went in and possessed the land; You subdued before them the Canaanites dwelling in the land. You delivered into their hands the kings and peoples of the land, to do with them as they wished.

Psalm 44:2-3
With Your hand You drove out the nations and planted our fathers there; You crushed the peoples and cast them out. / For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.

Psalm 78:55
He drove out nations before them and apportioned their inheritance; He settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.

Psalm 105:44
He gave them the lands of the nations, that they might inherit the fruit of others’ labor,

Psalm 135:10-12
He struck down many nations and slaughtered mighty kings: / Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan. / He gave their land as an inheritance, as a heritage to His people Israel.

Psalm 136:17-22
He struck down great kings His loving devotion endures forever. / and slaughtered mighty kings—His loving devotion endures forever. / Sihon king of the Amorites His loving devotion endures forever. ...

Acts 7:45
And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David,

Acts 13:19
And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.

Hebrews 11:30-31
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days. / By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.

Hebrews 11:33-34
who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.


Treasury of Scripture

The Horims also dwelled in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelled in their stead; as Israel did to the land of his possession, which the LORD gave to them.

horims

Deuteronomy 2:22
As he did to the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, when he destroyed the Horims from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day:

Genesis 14:6
And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.

Genesis 36:20-30
These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, …

succeeded them.

Genesis 36:31-43
And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel…

1 Chronicles 1:43-54
Now these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel; Bela the son of Beor: and the name of his city was Dinhabah…

stead.

Deuteronomy 2:22,32-37
As he did to the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, when he destroyed the Horims from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day: …

Genesis 36:20
These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah,

Numbers 21:21
And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

Jump to Previous
Aforetime Beforetime Children Descendants Destroy Destroyed Dispossess Dispossessed Drove Dwell Dwelt Earlier Esau Horims Horites Israel Live Past Possession Seir Se'ir Settled Stead Succeeded Times Used
Jump to Next
Aforetime Beforetime Children Descendants Destroy Destroyed Dispossess Dispossessed Drove Dwell Dwelt Earlier Esau Horims Horites Israel Live Past Possession Seir Se'ir Settled Stead Succeeded Times Used
Deuteronomy 2
1. The story is continued, that they were not to meddle with the Edomites
9. nor with the Moabites
16. nor with the Ammonites
24. but Sihon the Amorite was subdued by them














The Horites
The Horites were an ancient people who inhabited the region of Seir before the descendants of Esau. The name "Horites" is derived from the Hebrew word "חֹרִי" (Hori), which is believed to mean "cave dwellers." This suggests that they may have lived in the mountainous and cave-rich areas of Seir. Archaeological evidence supports the existence of such communities, indicating a society that was eventually displaced by the Edomites, the descendants of Esau.

had previously lived in Seir
The phrase indicates a historical occupancy of the land by the Horites before the Edomites. Seir is a mountainous region located in what is now modern-day Jordan. The historical context here is significant, as it shows the transient nature of territorial possession in the ancient Near East. The land of Seir was strategically important, and its control was contested by various groups over time.

but the descendants of Esau drove them out
This phrase highlights the fulfillment of God's promise to Esau, Jacob's brother, that he would have a land of his own. The Hebrew root for "drove them out" is "ירש" (yarash), which means to dispossess or inherit. This action by Esau's descendants is seen as divinely sanctioned, reflecting the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty in granting lands to nations according to His purposes.

They destroyed the Horites from before them
The destruction of the Horites signifies a complete removal and replacement of one people by another. This reflects the common ancient practice of conquest and settlement. The Hebrew word for "destroyed" is "שמד" (shamad), which implies a thorough and decisive action. This mirrors the biblical narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan, emphasizing the idea of divine judgment and the establishment of a new order.

and settled in their place
The descendants of Esau not only drove out the Horites but also established themselves in their territory. The Hebrew word "ישב" (yashab) means to sit, dwell, or remain, indicating a permanent settlement. This settlement is a testament to the fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of Esau's lineage in a land of their own, paralleling Israel's eventual settlement in Canaan.

just as Israel did in the land
This comparison between Esau's descendants and Israel underscores a parallel in their histories. Both groups received land as part of God's covenantal promises. The phrase serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His word and His sovereign distribution of lands to nations according to His divine plan.

the LORD gave them as their possession
The ultimate source of the land is attributed to the LORD, emphasizing His role as the sovereign giver of land and blessings. The Hebrew word for "gave" is "נתן" (natan), which conveys the idea of a gift or grant. This divine bestowal underscores the theological principle that all land and blessings come from God, and it is He who determines the boundaries and possessions of nations. This reinforces the belief in God's providential care and His active role in the history of His people.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The Horites
הַחֹרִים֮ (ha·ḥō·rîm)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 2752: Horites -- a Chorite, aboriginal Idumaean

used to
לְפָנִים֒ (lə·p̄ā·nîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

live
יָשְׁב֣וּ (yā·šə·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in Seir,
וּבְשֵׂעִ֞יר (ū·ḇə·śê·‘îr)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8165: Seir -- a mountain range in Edom, also its inhabitants, also a mountain in Judah

but the descendants
וּבְנֵ֧י (ū·ḇə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Esau
עֵשָׂ֣ו (‘ê·śāw)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6215: Esau -- oldest son of Isaac

drove them out,
יִֽירָשׁ֗וּם (yî·rā·šūm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3423: To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin

destroying them completely
וַיַּשְׁמִידוּם֙ (way·yaš·mî·ḏūm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8045: To be exterminated or destroyed

and settling
וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ (way·yê·šə·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in their place,
תַּחְתָּ֑ם (taḥ·tām)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

just as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

did
עָשָׂ֣ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

in the land
לְאֶ֙רֶץ֙ (lə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

gave them
נָתַ֥ן (nā·ṯan)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

as their possession.)
יְרֻשָּׁת֔וֹ (yə·ruš·šā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3425: Something occupied, a conquest, a patrimony


Links
Deuteronomy 2:12 NIV
Deuteronomy 2:12 NLT
Deuteronomy 2:12 ESV
Deuteronomy 2:12 NASB
Deuteronomy 2:12 KJV

Deuteronomy 2:12 BibleApps.com
Deuteronomy 2:12 Biblia Paralela
Deuteronomy 2:12 Chinese Bible
Deuteronomy 2:12 French Bible
Deuteronomy 2:12 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Deuteronomy 2:12 The Horites also lived in Seir before (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 2:11
Top of Page
Top of Page