Numbers 20:21

21 Thus Edom refused to allow Isra'el passage through its territory, so Isra'el turned away.

Numbers 20:21 Meaning and Commentary

Ver. 21 Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his country,
&c.] Notwithstanding their near relation to each other, and the fair promises Israel made:

wherefore Israel turned away from him:
patiently bearing the refusal, and not resenting it; being ordered, as the Targum of Jonathan expresses it, by the Word of heaven, not to make war with them, because the time was not yet come to take vengeance on Edom by their hands; and to the same purpose the Targum of Jerusalem.

Numbers 20:21 In-Context

19 The people of Isra'el replied, "We will keep to the highway; if we do drink the water, either we or our livestock, we will pay for it. Just let us pass through on foot - it's nothing."

20 But he said, "You are not to pass through"; and Edom came out against them with many people and much force.

21 Thus Edom refused to allow Isra'el passage through its territory, so Isra'el turned away.

22 They traveled on from Kadesh; and the people of Isra'el, the whole community, arrived at Mount Hor.

23 At Mount Hor, by the border of the land of Edom, ADONAI said to Moshe and Aharon,