Numbers 20:14-17

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.”

Numbers 20:14-17 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.

Cross References 12

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