דברים, פרק ב׳, פסוק י״ב

History is shaped by shifting populations and borders, illustrating that God is the ultimate master of the earth who allocates territories to nations according to His will. Long ago, the Chorites, descendants of Seir the Chorite [אבן עזרא], inhabited the region of Seir. These people are identified with the Hivites, one of the Canaanite nations. Their names are deeply intertwined; the Hebrew root of Hivite hints at a snake, while Chorite evokes the hole in which the snake dwells [הטור הארוך, ביאור יש״ר].

The process by which the descendants of Esau took control of this land was complex. Initially, they settled peacefully as residents, marrying local women [העמק דבר]. The original inhabitants had already been weakened by earlier regional conflicts, such as the wars of Chedorlaomer, making it easier for Esau's family to inherit the territory under God's providence [מלבי״ם]. The exact nature of their dominance is viewed in different ways. From a historical perspective, some suggest that Esau's descendants did not entirely annihilate the locals, but rather assimilated, became the ruling class, and maintained cooperative relationships [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Conversely, other perspectives emphasize a forceful and devastating campaign. In this view, they destroyed far more settlements than necessary, ensuring the original inhabitants could never rise again to reclaim the territory [ספורנו]. This takeover was not a single event but a continuous, gradual process; God provided Esau's descendants with constant strength to drive out the Chorites until they were completely eliminated [רש״י, שפתי חכמים, גור אריה]. A unique interpretation even suggests that the ongoing nature of this conquest hints at a time when the descendants of Esau will rule over the entire world [שפתי כהן].

This historical account is directly compared to the Israelites' own inheritance of their land, specifically referring to the rapid, miraculous conquest of the territories of Sihon and Og [שד״ל, רלב״ג, רש ר הירש, ביאור שטיינזלץ], which became the inheritance of the tribes of Gad and Reuben [חזקוני]. Although the complete conquest of the land had not yet been finalized, the historical record treats it as an established fact. By the time these events were recorded, the initial victories were already complete [ספורנו]. Furthermore, God's promise is so absolute and guaranteed that the future conquest of the entire land is described as a historical event that has already taken place [ברכת אשר על התורה, שד״ל]. Framed as an objective historical background for future generations [ביאור יש״ר], this comparison holds profound educational value.

The parallel between these nations carries deep theological messages for the Israelites. First, it is meant to instill unwavering confidence: if God granted a permanent inheritance to other nations simply to honor the Patriarchs, He will certainly fulfill His oath to give the Israelites their promised land [רשב״ם]. Second, it establishes boundaries. Because Esau was of Abraham's lineage, his descendants received their portion of the Canaanite territory through a miraculous, divine grant. Therefore, the Israelites are strictly forbidden from stealing Esau's land, just as God would punish anyone attempting to steal the Land of Israel [הטור הארוך, ביאור יש״ר]. Ultimately, a fundamental distinction remains between these inheritances. While the nations of the world receive their lands through general divine oversight, the inheritance of the Land of Israel is guided by God's direct, personal, and meticulous providence [רלב״ג].