Moses did not deem it wise to seek entrance into Canaan from the south, owing no doubt to the attitude of the Hebrew host he was leading. The Edomites, whom he approached, were in occupation of the territory that lay to the south of the Dead Sea, westward as far as Kadesh, and southward to the eastern arm of the Red Sea.

 As is the custom in the East today, those of blood relation may be addressed as “brothers.” The Edomites were the descendants of Esau (Gen. 25:30).

Moses thus suggests to the Edomites that, as kinsfolk, they would take a sympathetic attitude toward the descendants of Jacob. The word translated “travail” is from the Hebrew root “to be weary,” “to be exhausted.” Here it has reference to the difficulties of their long journey, perilous and wearisome, with no settled home of their own.