Deuteronomy 2:5
Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession. Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.
The command was given as Israel passed to the south of Edom before turning north toward the promised land. Not even the smallest portion of Edomite territory was to be taken, because Mount Seir had been assigned to the descendants of Esau as their possession. Although Edom was afraid of Israel, that fear was not to be exploited, and Israel was to respect Edomite rights and refrain from all injustice and revenge. Instead of seizing land, Israel was granted safe passage through Edom and was to obtain food and water there only by fair purchase and honest trade.
God's special favor to Israel gave no claim to the land of all others, and Edom was to be dealt with in mercy while its people were still within the reach of mercy. The same kind of prohibition against contention was afterward given concerning Moab, with the same direction given concerning Ammon as descendants of Lot. Edom ahead on the journey was a fertile, well-watered country, so the stopping of the miraculous water supply at that point marked the end of the wilderness wandering. It called Israel to trust the divine promise of safe passage and of provision to be secured by purchase along the way.