Where is Seir in the Bible?

What happened at Seir?

Seir is a mountainous region mentioned frequently in the Bible, located in the southern part of the Transjordan, extending from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. It was inhabited by the Horites before the descendants of Esau, the Edomites, dispossessed them (Gen. 14:6; Deut. 2:12, 22). Seir is closely associated with Esau and his descendants, the Edomites (Gen. 32:3; 33:14, 16; 36:8, 9). It is often used interchangeably with Edom to refer to the nation that emerged from Esau's lineage (Gen. 36:30; Num. 24:18; Deut. 2:4, 8, 29; Josh. 24:4). The region of Seir played a role in several biblical events. It was the location where the kings of the East fought against the Horites (Gen. 14:6). Moses and the Israelites passed through Seir during their wilderness wanderings, but were instructed not to provoke the Edomites to war (Deut. 1:44; 2:4, 8). Later, during the divided monarchy, King Amaziah of Judah defeated the Edomites in the Valley of Salt and captured Sela, a stronghold in Seir (2Chr. 25:11, 14). The prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel also mention Seir in their oracles, often in the context of God's judgment against Edom (Isa. 21:11; Ezek. 25:8). The region's rugged terrain and strategic location made it a formidable challenge for invading armies and a symbol of Edom's strength and pride.

Where does Seir appear in the Bible?

Seir is referenced in 22 verses across 8 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.

• 2 Chronicles 20:23
• 2 Chronicles 25:11
• Deuteronomy 1:44
• Deuteronomy 2:4
• Deuteronomy 2:8
• Deuteronomy 2:12
• Deuteronomy 2:22
• Deuteronomy 2:29
• Deuteronomy 33:2
• Ezekiel 25:8
• Genesis 14:6
• Genesis 32:3
• Genesis 33:14
• Genesis 33:16
• Genesis 36:8
• Genesis 36:9
• Isaiah 21:11
• Judges 5:4
• Joshua 11:17
• Joshua 12:7
• Joshua 24:4
• Numbers 24:18

What else appears in these passages?

These turn up in the same passages as Seir.