Numbers 20:21

21 So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his borders, and Israel turned away from him.

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 And the children of Israel say to him, We will pass by the mountain; and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, I will pay thee: but it is no matter of importance, we will go by the mountain.

20 And he said, Thou shalt not pass through me; and Edom went forth to meet him with a great host, and a mighty hand.

21 So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his borders, and Israel turned away from him.

22 And they departed from Cades; and the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came to Mount Or.

23 And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in mount Or, on the borders of the land of Edom, saying,