Numbers 20:19

19 The people of Israel said, "We will stay on the main road, and if we or our animals drink any of your water, we will pay for it - all we want is to pass through."

Numbers 20:19 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 20:19

And the children of Israel said unto him
The messengers sent by the children of Israel made answer to the king of Edom:

we will go by the highway;
we desire no other favour but that of the public road; we propose not to go through any part of the country that is enclosed and cultivated, to do any damage to it:

if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it;
as it was usual, and still is, to buy water in those countries near the Red sea, where it is scarce. We are told ^F4, that at Suess, a city on the extremity of the Red sea, there is no water nearer than six or seven hours journey towards the north east, which is brought from thence on camels; and a small vessel of it is sold for three or four medinas, and a larger vessel for eight or ten, according to the demand for it; a medina is an Egyptian piece of money, worth about three halfpence of our English money:

I will only (without doing anything else) go through on my feet;
as fast as I can, without saying anything to the inhabitants to terrify and distress them, and without doing them any injury. Some render it, I will only go "with my footmen" ^F5; foot soldiers, an army on foot, as Israel were.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 See a Journal from Cairo to Mount Sinai, p. 10, 11. Ed. 2.
F5 (ylgrb) "cum meo exercitu pedestri"; so some in Fagius & Vatablus.

Numbers 20:19 In-Context

17 Please permit us to pass through your land. We and our cattle will not leave the road or go into your fields or vineyards, and we will not drink from your wells. We will stay on the main road until we are out of your territory."

18 But the Edomites answered, "We refuse to let you pass through our country! If you try, we will march out and attack you."

19 The people of Israel said, "We will stay on the main road, and if we or our animals drink any of your water, we will pay for it - all we want is to pass through."

20 The Edomites repeated, "We refuse!" and they marched out with a powerful army to attack the people of Israel.

21 Because the Edomites would not let the Israelites pass through their territory, the Israelites turned and went another way.