Numbers 20:21

21 Neither would he condescend to their desire to grant them passage through his borders. Wherefore Israel turned another way from him.

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 And the children of Israel said: We will go by the beaten way: and if we and our cattle drink of thy waters, we will give thee what is just: there shall be no difficulty in the price, only let us pass speedily.

20 But he answered: Thou shalt not pass. And immediately he came forth to meet them with an infinite multitude, and a strong hand,

21 Neither would he condescend to their desire to grant them passage through his borders. Wherefore Israel turned another way from him.

22 And when they had removed the camp from Cades, they came to mount Hor, which is in the borders of the land of Edom:

23 Where the Lord spoke to Moses: