Numbers 20:15

15 Our ancestors went down to Egypt and lived there a long time. The Egyptians viciously abused both us and our ancestors.

Numbers 20:15 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 20:15

How our fathers went down into Egypt
Jacob and his twelve sons, with their children:

and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time;
even the space of four hundred and thirty years, ( Exodus 12:40 Exodus 12:41 )

and the Egyptians vexed us and our fathers;
used them ill, brought them into bondage, and made their lives bitter, laid heavy tasks and burdens upon them, as well as slew their male children, see ( Exodus 1:7-22 ) .

Numbers 20:15 In-Context

13 These were the Waters of Meribah (Bickering) where the People of Israel bickered with God, and he revealed himself as holy.

14 Moses sent emissaries from Kadesh to the king of Edom with this message: "A message from your brother Israel: You are familiar with all the trouble we've run into.

15 Our ancestors went down to Egypt and lived there a long time. The Egyptians viciously abused both us and our ancestors.

16 But when we cried out for help to God, he heard our cry. He sent an angel and got us out of Egypt. And now here we are at Kadesh, a town at the border of your land.

17 "Will you give us permission to cut across your land? We won't trespass through your fields or orchards and we won't drink out of your wells; we'll keep to the main road, the King's Road, straying neither right nor left until we've crossed your border."