Numbers 20:17-27

17 Please let us cross through your land. We won't pass through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will walk on the King's Highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have crossed your border.'"
18 Edom said to him, "You won't cross through, or I will come out against you with a sword."
19 The Israelites said to him, "We'll go up by the road. If we drink from your water, either we or our livestock, we'll pay for it. It's a small matter. We would only ask to cross on foot."
20 But he said, "You won't cross." Then Edom came out against them with a powerful army and a strong hand.
21 Edom refused to allow Israel to cross his border. And Israel turned away from him.
They marched from Kadesh.

Aaron’s death at Mount Hor

22 The entire Israelite community came to Mount Hor.
23 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor on the border of the land of Edom:
24 Aaron will join his ancestors, for he may not enter the land that I've given to the Israelites, because you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah.
25 Take Aaron and his son Eleazar, and bring them up Mount Hor.
26 Strip Aaron of his clothes and put them on Eleazar his son. Then Aaron will die there.
27 Moses did as the LORD commanded. They went up Mount Hor in the sight of the entire community.

Numbers 20:17-27 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.

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