Crusade BibleCrusade Bible
Encampment in the desert, with Mount Seir in the distance, W Wellcome V0049424Unknown · CC BY 4.0

Seir

שֵׂעִיר/SEE-ir/

“Hairy or Shaggy”

Summary

The name of the mountainous region south of the Dead Sea that became Edom, as well as the Horite chief from whom the land may have derived its name.

☩Mount Seir (Edom)

Mount Seir, or the 'Land of Seir,' was the mountain range extending along the east side of the Arabah valley, from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Akabah. The name means 'hairy' or 'shaggy,' probably describing the rough, wooded terrain with jagged rocks, serrated ridges, and straggling bushes. The mountains reach approximately 4,800 feet at Mount Hor, with porphyry cliffs about 2,000 feet above the Arabah.

Key verses:Genesis 14:6Genesis 32:3Deuteronomy 1:2Deuteronomy 2:1-8

☩Inhabitants

Mount Seir was originally inhabited by the Horites (cave-dwellers), who excavated the remarkable rock dwellings found around Petra. The descendants of Esau dispossessed and apparently annihilated the Horites, taking their land as promised by God. The region's history thus merges with that of Edom. Though later called Edom, the older name Seir continued in use throughout biblical history.

Key verses:Genesis 36:20-21Deuteronomy 2:12Deuteronomy 2:22

☩Seir the Horite

Seir was also a phylarch (chief) of the Horim, the aboriginal inhabitants of the country later possessed by the Edomites. The region likely derived its name from him.

Key verses:Genesis 36:20-211 Chronicles 1:38

☩Prophetic Significance

Mount Seir is the subject of a prophetic curse by Ezekiel, pronounced because of Edom's perpetual hatred against Israel. The prophet declared, 'I will make thee most desolate... and thy cities shall not return.' This curse appears to be fulfilled in the region's present desolation.

Key verses:Ezekiel 35:1-15

Related Verses39 mentions

Deuteronomy· 11 verses

1:11:21:442:12:4

Genesis· 9 verses

14:632:333:1433:1636:8

2 Chronicles· 5 verses

20:1020:2220:2325:1125:14

Ezekiel· 5 verses

25:835:235:335:735:15

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Seir," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.James Orr (ed.), "Seir," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
  3. 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Seir," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  4. 4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Seir," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  5. 5.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Seir," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
  6. 6.John McClintock and James Strong, "Seir," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  7. 7.George Morrish, "Seir," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
  8. 8.John McClintock and James Strong, "Seir," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  9. 9.John McClintock and James Strong, "Seir," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).