Numbers 20:12-21

12 But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

13 These were the waters of Meribah,^[a] where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD and where he was proved holy among them.

Edom Denies Israel Passage

14 Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying: “This is what your brother Israel says: You know about all the hardships that have come on us.

15 Our ancestors went down into Egypt, and we lived there many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors,

16 but when we cried out to the LORD, he heard our cry and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. “Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory.

17 Please let us pass through your country. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the King’s Highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.”

18 But Edom answered: “You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword.”

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.

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Numbers 20:12-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 20

In this chapter is an account of the children of Israel coming to the wilderness of Zin, where Miriam died, and where wanting water they murmured, Nu 20:1-5, upon which Moses and Aaron applied to the Lord, who ordered Moses to speak to a rock, which should give forth water, and which being smitten by him, accordingly did, Nu 20:6-11, but Moses and Aaron, in their conduct of this affair, displeased the Lord, Nu 20:12,13, after this, Moses sent to the king of Edom to desire a passage through his country, which request was refused, Nu 20:14-21, upon Israel's coming to Mount Hor, Aaron, by order, went up to the mount, and, when stripped of his clothes, which were put on his son Eleazar, he died, lamented by all the people, Nu 20:22-29.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 25

1. Numbers 27:14; Deuteronomy 32:51; Isaiah 5:16; Isaiah 8:13
2. ver 24; Deuteronomy 1:37; Deuteronomy 3:27
3. S Exodus 17:7
4. S ver 3; Deuteronomy 33:8; Psalms 95:8; Psalms 106:32
5. S Leviticus 10:3
6. S ver 1; Judges 11:16-17
7. S ver 16; S Genesis 25:30; S Genesis 36:16; Deuteronomy 2:4
8. Genesis 24:3; Deuteronomy 4:39; Joshua 2:11; Joshua 9:9
9. S Exodus 18:8
10. S Genesis 46:6
11. S Genesis 15:13; Exodus 12:40
12. S Exodus 1:14; Exodus 1:11; Deuteronomy 26:6
13. S Genesis 16:11; S Genesis 21:17; S Exodus 2:23; Exodus 3:7
14. Exodus 14:19
15. Exodus 12:42; Deuteronomy 26:8
16. ver 14,23; Numbers 33:37
17. ver 20; Numbers 21:22; Deuteronomy 2:27; Judges 11:17
18. ver 14
19. Numbers 21:23
20. Exodus 12:38
21. Deuteronomy 2:6,28
22. S ver 17,18
23. ver 14
24. Numbers 21:23
25. Numbers 21:4; Deuteronomy 2:8; Judges 11:18

Footnotes 1

[a]. "Meribah" means "quarreling" .