our brothers: Isaac had two sons: Esau and Jacob. Esau was the firstborn. Jacob took Esau’s birthright and blessing as the firstborn (Genesis 25:27–34; 27:1–36). This led to intense hostility between Esau and Jacob and their descendants. Yet, Israel still recognized and honored their kinship.
Out of brotherly loyalty, if not affection, Israel passed by Edom and did not fight the Edomites (see Numbers 20:14–21).
Arabah road: See study note on Deuteronomy 1:1.
Elath and Ezion-geber were twin port cities on the Red Sea. They later harbored the merchant ships of King Solomon, Jehoshaphat, and Uzziah (1 Kings 9:26; 1 Kings 22:48; 2 Kings 14:22).