What is the significance of Mount Seir?

Mount Seir is a mountainous region that is mentioned several times in the Bible, primarily in relation to Esau and the Edomites. Here is an overview of the significance of Mount Seir in the Bible:

Location of Mount Seir

Mount Seir is located in the region of Edom in what is now southern Jordan. The name Edom means “red,” which likely refers to the red sandstone cliffs that characterize the area. Mount Seir forms the central mountainous core of Edom.

Genesis 36:8-9 describes the dwelling place of Esau: “So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir. (Esau is Edom.) These are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir.” (ESV)

Mount Seir Promised to Descendants of Esau

When Isaac blessed Esau, he promised him the land of Seir as an inheritance: “Behold, away from the fatness of the earth shall your dwelling be, and away from the dew of heaven on high. By your sword you shall live, and you shall serve your brother; but when you grow restless you shall break his yoke from your neck” (Genesis 27:39-40 ESV).

This indicates that Mount Seir was designated as the land for Esau and his descendants, the Edomites. While Jacob would inherit the land of Canaan, Esau was given Mount Seir and the surrounding area of Edom.

Esau Settled in Mount Seir

After Jacob deceived Isaac to steal Esau’s blessing, Esau was angry and wanted to kill Jacob (Genesis 27:41). Jacob then fled to the land of his uncle Laban.

When Jacob was returning from Laban’s land, he sent messengers to Esau hoping to find favor with his brother. The messengers returned saying that Esau was coming to meet Jacob with 400 men (Genesis 32:6). This caused Jacob to be “greatly afraid and distressed” (v.7).

However, when the brothers were reconciled, Esau returned to Seir: “But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir” (Genesis 33:9 ESV).

This indicates that Esau’s settled place was in the region of Mount Seir, while Jacob dwelled in Canaan.

The Edomites Settled in Mount Seir

As the descendants of Esau intermarried with the people of Seir, the entire region became known as Edom. Deuteronomy 2:12 states: “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.”

So the descendants of Esau, the Edomites, settled and took possession of the land of Mount Seir.

Israel Passed by Mount Seir

When the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt, the Lord led them to the border of the land promised to them. However, they did not enter directly into Canaan but were made to wander for 40 years.

As they traveled near Edom, God instructed Moses: “You are about to pass through the territory of your brothers, the people of Esau, who live in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. So be very careful. Do not contend with them, for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot to tread on, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession.” (Deuteronomy 2:4-5 ESV)

So Israel passed by Mount Seir without entering or challenging the descendants of Esau for control of the land. God had given Seir to Esau’s people as their inheritance.

Mount Seir in Prophecy Against Edom

When prophesying judgment against Edom, the prophets often mentioned Mount Seir and the surrounding region. For example:

“Thus says the Lord GOD: Because Edom acted revengefully against the house of Judah and has grievously offended in taking vengeance on them, therefore thus says the Lord GOD, I will stretch out my hand against Edom and cut off from it man and beast. And I will make it desolate; from Teman even to Dedan they shall fall by the sword. And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they shall do in Edom according to my anger and according to my wrath, and they shall know my vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 25:12-14 ESV)

The description of judgment encompasses the lands around Mount Seir – Teman and Dedan were oasis cities located in Edom.

Mount Seir Represents Esau’s Inheritance

Overall, Mount Seir represents the inheritance and dwelling place given to Esau and his descendants, the Edomites. It contrasts with the Promised Land of Canaan that was designated for the descendants of Jacob.

While judgment eventually fell on both lands when the Babylonians took Judah and Edom captive, Mount Seir remained symbolic of the non-chosen line of Esau. His descendants received the mountains while the offspring of Jacob inherited the promised blessings.

So Mount Seir forms an important backdrop in the Genesis narrative, representing the allotment given to Esau separate from the covenant blessings upon Jacob. The mountain region was Esau’s domain, just as the land of Canaan would belong to the descendants of Jacob.

7,000 words to go…

Mount Seir is referenced over 60 times in the Bible, so there is ample content to explore its significance throughout Scripture. Here are some additional details and themes to consider:

Geographic Boundaries

While Mount Seir represents the elevated central region, biblical references indicate the boundaries extended beyond the mountains:

• Southward the land reached toward the Gulf of Aqaba, probably extending toward the ancient city of Elath (Deuteronomy 2:8)
• The northern boundary went as far as the Dead Sea and bordered the land of Moab (Judges 11:17-18)
• The western edge touched the Arabah Valley moving south from the Dead Sea toward the Gulf of Aqaba
• To the east, it extended toward the deserts of Arabia

So Mount Seir was not an isolated mountain, but rather an elevated central ridge within a more extensive region occupied by the descendants of Esau.

Military Conquests

In addition to settlement by the descendants of Esau, the land of Mount Seir was taken by military conquest:

• As noted above, the Edomites displaced and destroyed the former inhabitants known as the Horites (Deuteronomy 2:12)
• During the united monarchy, David conquered Edom and established garrisons and military outposts, extending Israelite control (2 Samuel 8:13-14)
• King Amaziah of Judah later captured Seir and slaughtered 10,000 Edomites in battle (2 Kings 14:7; 2 Chronicles 25:11-12)
• The Nabateans conquered the region around 312 BC, ending the Edomite control

So while Mount Seir was allotted to Esau’s lineage, throughout history different nations fought for control over the strategic region.

Trade Routes

Mount Seir was located along important trade routes from Arabia and the Red Sea port of Elath. The prophets condemned Edom’s pride partially stemming from their wealth gained by taxing caravans and controlling commerce through the region:

• “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’ Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord.” (Obadiah 1:3-4 ESV)
• “For violence against your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever. On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them.” (Obadiah 1:10-11 ESV)

So Mount Seir provided economic and commercial benefits to the Edomites from its situation along important trade routes.

Imagery of Judgment

The prophets commonly directed oracles of judgment against Edom using Mount Seir and other geographic features as representations of the people:

• “I will lay waste his mountains and his heritage for the jackals of the wilderness.” (Isaiah 34:9 ESV)
• “I will stretch out my hand against Edom and cut off from it man and beast and I will make it desolate; from Teman even to Dedan they shall fall by the sword.” (Ezekiel 25:13 ESV)
• “I will make Mount Seir a waste and a desolation and I will cut off from it all who come and go.” (Ezekiel 35:7 ESV)

While these refer literally to the mountain and lands, they symbolically represent God’s judgment on the sinful people group.

Esau’s Life Contrasted with Jacob’s

The biblical significance of Mount Seir is closely tied to Esau’s life, which contrasts in several ways with that of Jacob:

• Esau was born first but lost his birthright and blessing, whereas Jacob was younger but inherited the covenant promise
• Esau was a skillful hunter and outdoorsman, while Jacob was mild-mannered and dwelled in tents
• Esau took Hittite wives which grieved his parents, but Jacob married within the chosen line
• Esau sought to kill Jacob when his blessing was stolen, but later reconciled
• Esau received Mount Seir as an inheritance, but Jacob gained the Promised Land of Canaan

In these contrasts, Seir represents the “lesser” inheritance given to Esau which highlights the covenant blessings upon Jacob.

Interactions with Israel

There are several instances of interaction between Israel and the people of Mount Seir which illuminate their biblical significance:

• As Israel approached Edom, they sent messengers asking for safe passage but were denied (Numbers 20:14-21)
• After Aaron died, Israel turned back from Edom’s border as denied passage (Numbers 20:21; 33:37)
• Balaam prophesied the future rise of Israel from “the mountains of the east” – referring to Mount Seir (Numbers 23:7)
• King Saul fought against Edom early in his reign but details are limited (1 Samuel 14:47)
• David established administration and military control over Edom (2 Samuel 8:13-14)

These interactions underscore the tensions and conflicts that existed between Israel and the descendants of Esau inhabiting Mount Seir.

Prophetic Destruction

The prophets spoke of the forthcoming destruction of Mount Seir and Edom as God’s judgment on their sins:

• Isaiah 34 describes comprehensive destruction coming upon Edom’s lands
• Isaiah 63 portrays God’s judgment in terms of blood-spattered garments due to crushing Edom’s people
• Jeremiah 49 details the overthrow of Edom with disaster and calamity
• Ezekiel 35 prophecies desolation, blood, and ruin upon Mount Seir
• Obadiah foretells calamity, violence, and shaming of Edom

The fulfillment of these prophecies underscores God’s sovereignty and justice in bringing judgment on nations that oppose His people.

Inclusion of Gentiles

Despite the judgments against Edom, some prophecies indicate their future inclusion with Israel:

• Isaiah 11 says Israel will repossess Edom and other nations during the messianic kingdom
• Ezekiel 36 indicates the scattered people of Israel and Edom will return to their lands
• Amos 9 specifies that Edom is among the nations called by the Lord’s name
• Obadiah 17 promises “those of the Negeb shall possess Mount Esau”

So while Scripture emphasizes Edom’s judgment, it also hints at their ultimate redemption and participation in God’s kingdom.

Symbolic of Earthly Jerusalem

The book of Revelation contains a symbolic comparison between earthly Jerusalem and Sodom and Egypt (Revelation 11:8). Mount Seir is also included in this figure:

And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. (Revelation 11:8 ESV)

Connecting Jerusalem to Sodom, Egypt and Mount Seir implies spiritual corruption and unbelief. It contrasts the earthly city at that time versus the heavenly Jerusalem later described (Revelation 21:2).

This metaphor underscores Mount Seir’s spiritual blindness despite the privileges it possessed as Esau’s inheritance.

Conclusion

In summary, Mount Seir and its surrounding region held deep significance in biblical history. It represented the inheritance of Esau and the dwelling place of his descendants, the Edomites. Though located along important trade routes, Mount Seir symbolized the “lesser” blessing given to Esau in contrast to the covenant promises to Jacob. Its people opposed and fought against Israel at times, earning judgments from the prophets. Ultimately, the concept of Mount Seir in Scripture reveals God’s sovereign purposes in allotting lands to various peoples, while pointing toward their ultimate redemption through Christ.