Numbers 20:17-27

17 ¹Please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or vineyard, ²or drink water from a well. We will go along the King’s Highway. We will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed through your territory. ”

18 But Edom said to him, “You shall not pass through, lest I come out with the sword against you. ”

19 And the people of Israel said to him, “We will go up by the highway, ³and if we drink of your water, I and my livestock, ⁴then I will pay for it. Let me only pass through on foot, nothing more. ”

20 But he said, ⁵“You shall not pass through. ” And Edom came out against them with a large army and with a strong force.

21 Thus Edom ⁶refused to give Israel passage through his territory, so Israel ⁷turned away from him.

The Death of Aaron

22 And they journeyed from ⁸Kadesh, and the people of Israel, the whole congregation, came to ⁹Mount Hor.

23 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor, on the border of the land of Edom,

24 ¹⁰“Let Aaron be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land that I have given to the people of Israel, because ¹¹you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah.

25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son and bring them up to Mount Hor.

26 And strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. And Aaron ¹²shall be gathered to his people and shall die there. ”

27 Moses did as the Lord commanded. And they went up Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.

Numbers 20:17-27 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

• 1. 20:17 [ch. 21:22; Deut. 2:27]
• 2. 20:17 [ver. 19]
• 3. 20:19 [ver. 17]
• 4. 20:19 Deut. 2:6, 28
• 5. 20:20 [Judg. 11:17; Amos 1:11]
• 6. 20:21 [Deut. 2:29]
• 7. 20:21 [ch. 21:4; Deut. 2:8; Judg. 11:18]
• 8. 20:22 ch. 33:37
• 9. 20:22 ch. 21:4; 33:37
• 10. 20:24 ch. 27:13; Deut. 32:50; [ch. 31:2; Gen. 25:8]
• 11. 20:24 ver. 12
• 12. 20:26 [See ver. 24 above]