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Deuteronomy 2:12 - Esau's conquest parallels Israel's inheritance?

Deuteronomy 2:12 - דברים 2:12

Hebrew Text

וּבְשֵׂעִיר יָשְׁבוּ הַחֹרִים לְפָנִים וּבְנֵי עֵשָׂו יִירָשׁוּם וַיַּשְׁמִידוּם מִפְּנֵיהֶם וַיֵּשְׁבוּ תַּחְתָּם כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה יִשְׂרָאֵל לְאֶרֶץ יְרֻשָּׁתוֹ אֲשֶׁר־נָתַן יְהוָה לָהֶם׃

English Translation

The Ḥorim also dwelt in Se῾ir beforetime; but the children of ῾Esav succeeded them, and they destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their place; as Yisra᾽el did to the land of his possession, which the Lord gave to them.)

Transliteration

Uv'Seir yashvu haChorim l'fanim uv'nei Esav yirashum vayashmidum mipneihem vayeshvu tachtam ka'asher asah Yisrael l'eretz yerushato asher-natan Adonai lahem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּבְשֵׂעִ֞יר יָשְׁב֣וּ הַחֹרִים֮ לְפָנִים֒ וּבְנֵ֧י עֵשָׂ֣ו יִֽירָשׁ֗וּם וַיַּשְׁמִידוּם֙ מִפְּנֵיהֶ֔ם וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ תַּחְתָּ֑ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר עָשָׂ֣ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לְאֶ֙רֶץ֙ יְרֻשָּׁת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥ן יְהֹוָ֖ה לָהֶֽם׃
וּבְשֵׂעִ֞יר יָשְׁב֣וּ הַחֹרִים֮ לְפָנִים֒ וּבְנֵ֧י עֵשָׂ֣ו יִֽירָשׁ֗וּם וַיַּשְׁמִידוּם֙ מִפְּנֵיהֶ֔ם וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ תַּחְתָּ֑ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר עָשָׂ֣ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לְאֶ֙רֶץ֙ יְרֻשָּׁת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥ן יְהֹוָ֖ה לָהֶֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Historical Context of Se'ir and the Horim

The verse describes the displacement of the Horim (הַחֹרִים) by the descendants of Esav (עֵשָׂו) in the land of Se'ir (שֵׂעִיר). According to Rashi (Devarim 2:12), the Horim were an ancient people who originally inhabited Se'ir before being conquered by Esav's descendants. The Torah emphasizes that this conquest parallels Israel's later possession of Canaan, highlighting Divine providence in land allocation.

Parallel Between Esav's Conquest and Israel's Inheritance

The phrase "כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה יִשְׂרָאֵל" ("as Israel did") draws a comparison between Esav's conquest of Se'ir and Israel's conquest of Canaan. Ramban (Devarim 2:12) explains that this serves as a justification for Israel's possession of Canaan—just as Esav rightfully inherited Se'ir after defeating its inhabitants, so too did Israel inherit the land promised to them by Hashem.

  • Divine Will in Land Allocation: The Sforno notes that both conquests were orchestrated by Hashem, demonstrating that territorial changes occur according to Divine decree.
  • Moral Justification: The Talmud (Chullin 60b) suggests that the Horim were wicked, justifying their displacement, much like the Canaanites' sins warranted their removal for Israel's inheritance.

The Horim and Their Identity

Midrash Bereishit Rabbah (82:13) identifies the Horim as cave-dwellers (from "חוֹר," meaning "hole" or "cave"), possibly giants or a powerful nation. Their defeat by Esav's descendants fulfills the blessing given to Esav (Bereishit 27:39-40), where he was promised a land of abundance through conquest.

Lessons in Hashgachah Pratit (Divine Providence)

The Malbim emphasizes that this verse teaches the principle of השגחה פרטית—Hashem directs history, ensuring nations rise and fall according to His plan. Just as Esav's conquest was Divinely sanctioned, so too was Israel's inheritance of Eretz Yisrael, reinforcing the uniqueness of Am Yisrael's covenant with Hashem.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who were the Horim mentioned in Deuteronomy 2:12?
A: The Horim (or Horites) were an ancient people who originally lived in the land of Seir before the descendants of Esav (Esau) conquered and displaced them. According to Rashi and other traditional sources, they were called 'Horim' because they lived in caves (from the Hebrew word 'hor,' meaning cave).
Q: Why does the Torah compare Esav's conquest to Israel's conquest of Canaan?
A: The Torah compares the two conquests to show that just as Hashem granted the land of Seir to Esav's descendants as their inheritance, He also granted the land of Canaan to the Israelites as their eternal possession. This teaches that all land conquests are ultimately determined by Divine will (Ramban on Deuteronomy 2:12).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 2:12 about land ownership?
A: This verse teaches that land ownership is not permanent unless granted by Hashem. Just as the Horim were displaced by Esav's descendants, and later Israel was given Canaan, we learn that all territories are under Divine providence (Sforno on Deuteronomy 2:12). This reminds us to view our possessions as temporary gifts from Hashem.
Q: Why does the Torah mention the Horim if they were already gone by Israel's time?
A: The Torah mentions the Horim to provide historical context and to emphasize that just as other nations received their allotted lands (like Esav in Seir), so too Israel's conquest of Canaan was part of Hashem's plan for nations to dwell in their designated territories (Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 2:12).
Q: How does Deuteronomy 2:12 relate to the concept of inheritance in Judaism?
A: This verse establishes that inheritance of land is ultimately granted by Hashem. While Esav's descendants inherited Seir through conquest, Israel inherited Canaan through Divine promise. This shows that true inheritance comes from Hashem's will, not merely human effort (Malbim on Deuteronomy 2:12).