Deuteronomy 1:40

40 But you must turn around and follow the desert road toward the Red Sea."

Deuteronomy 1:40 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:40

But as for you, turn ye
From the mountain of the Amorites, the border of the land of Canaan:

and take your journey into the wilderness, by the way of the Red sea:
see ( Numbers 14:25 ) . Jarchi says this wilderness was by the side of the Red sea, to the south of Mount Seir, and divided between the Red sea and the mount; so that now they drew to the side of the sea, and compassed Mount Seir, all the south of it, from west to east.

Deuteronomy 1:40 In-Context

38 but your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to take the land for their own.

39 "Your little children that you said would be captured, who do not know right from wrong at this time, will go into the land. I will give the land to them, and they will take it for their own.

40 But you must turn around and follow the desert road toward the Red Sea."

41 Then you said to me, "We have sinned against the Lord, but now we will go up and fight, as the Lord our God commanded us." Then all of you put on weapons, thinking it would be easy to go into the mountains.

42 But the Lord said to me, "Tell the people, 'You must not go up there and fight. I will not be with you, and your enemies will defeat you.'"