Numbers 20:18

18 But the people of Edom answered, "You can't pass through here. If you try to, we'll march out against you. We'll attack you with our swords."

Numbers 20:18 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 20:18

And Edom said unto him
The king of Edom replied to Israel, represented by the messengers sent in their name:

thou shall not pass by me;
through my country:

lest I come out against thee with the sword;
or with those that use the sword, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; that is, with an army of soldiers with their drawn swords in their hands, to slay them as enemies.

Numbers 20:18 In-Context

16 But we cried out to the Lord. He heard our cry. He sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. " 'Now here we are at the town of Kadesh. It's on the edge of your territory.

17 Please let us pass through your country. We won't go through any field or vineyard. We won't drink water from any well. We'll travel along the king's highway. We won't turn to the right or the left. We'll just go straight through your territory.' "

18 But the people of Edom answered, "You can't pass through here. If you try to, we'll march out against you. We'll attack you with our swords."

19 The people of Israel replied, "We'll go along the main road. We and our livestock won't drink any of your water. If we do, we'll pay for it. We only want to walk through your country. That's all we ask."

20 Again the people of Edom answered, "You can't pass through here." Then the people of Edom came out against them. They came with a large and powerful army.