Matthew Poole and continuators on Deuteronomy 2:4

4 And command thou the people, saying, ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren, the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir , and they shall be afraid of you : take ye good heed unto your selves therefore.

Or, by, or near the coast or border: for they did not pass through their borders, as it is said, Numb. 20. 21. And the particle Beth doth oft signifie by or n[illegible: 1+ letters]ar, as Gen. 37. 13. Io[illegible: 1+ letters]. 5. 13. Iudg. 8. 5. Ier. 32. 7. Thus that difference may be reconciled, which others reconcile thus, that they at first denyed it, but afterwards granted it.

These words restrain the prohibition to these particular Children of Esau for there were another sort or branch of Esau's Children, which were to be medled with and destroyed, even the [illegible: 1 word], Exod. 17. 14. [illegible: 1 word]. 25. 17. who were Esaus posterity, Gen. 36. 12.

But, I charge you take no advantage of their fears, which you will be very apt to do.

Marginal references: * Num. 20. 14.