Numbers 20:1-6

Lawsuit over water and Moses’ disobedience

1 In the first month, the entire Israelite community entered the Zin desert and the people stayed at Kadesh. Miriam died and was buried there.
2 Now there was no water for the community, and they assembled against Moses and Aaron.
3 Then the people confronted Moses and said to him, "If only we too had died when our brothers perished in the LORD's presence!
4 Why have you brought the LORD's assembly into this desert to kill us and our animals here?
5 Why have you led us up from Egypt to bring us to this evil place without grain, figs, vines, or pomegranates? And there's no water to drink!"
6 Moses and Aaron went away from the assembly to the entrance of the meeting tent and they fell on their faces. Then the LORD's glory appeared to them.

Numbers 20:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 20

In this chapter is an account of the children of Israel coming to the wilderness of Zin, where Miriam died, and where wanting water they murmured, Nu 20:1-5, upon which Moses and Aaron applied to the Lord, who ordered Moses to speak to a rock, which should give forth water, and which being smitten by him, accordingly did, Nu 20:6-11, but Moses and Aaron, in their conduct of this affair, displeased the Lord, Nu 20:12,13, after this, Moses sent to the king of Edom to desire a passage through his country, which request was refused, Nu 20:14-21, upon Israel's coming to Mount Hor, Aaron, by order, went up to the mount, and, when stripped of his clothes, which were put on his son Eleazar, he died, lamented by all the people, Nu 20:22-29.

Footnotes 1

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