Numbers 20:21

21 Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them.

Numbers 20:21 in Other Translations

21 Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.

21 Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory, so Israel turned away from him.

21 Because Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their country, Israel was forced to turn around.

21 Edom refused to let them cross through his land. So Israel had to detour around him.

21 Edom refused to allow Israel to travel through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.

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 The Israelites replied: “We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock drink any of your water, we will pay for it. We only want to pass through on foot—nothing else.”

20 Again they answered: “You may not pass through.” Then Edom came out against them with a large and powerful army.

21 Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them.

22 The whole Israelite community set out from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor.

23 At Mount Hor, near the border of Edom, the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,

Cross References

• 1. Numbers 21:23
• 2. Numbers 21:4; Deuteronomy 2:8; Judges 11:18