Numbers 20:15

15 Our ancestors went down to Egypt, and we lived there a long time, and we and our ancestors were brutally mistreated by the Egyptians.

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 This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”) because there the people of Israel argued with the LORD, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them.

14 While Moses was at Kadesh, he sent ambassadors to the king of Edom with this message: “This is what your relatives, the people of Israel, say: You know all the hardships we have been through.

15 Our ancestors went down to Egypt, and we lived there a long time, and we and our ancestors were brutally mistreated by the Egyptians.

16 But when we cried out to the LORD, he heard us and sent an angel who brought us out of Egypt. Now we are camped at Kadesh, a town on the border of your land.

17 Please let us travel through your land. We will be careful not to go through your fields and vineyards. We won’t even drink water from your wells. We will stay on the king’s road and never leave it until we have passed through your territory.”