Numbers 20:14-21

14 From Kadesh Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom: "Thus your brother Israel has said, 'You know all the hardship that has found us;

15 our ancestors went down to Egypt, and we lived in Egypt {a long time}, and the Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors.

16 Then we cried to Yahweh, and he heard our voice; he sent an angel and brought us out from Egypt. And look, we [are] in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory.

17 Please let us go through your land. We will not go through a field or vineyard, and we will not drink water from a well. We will go along the road of the king; we will not turn aside right or left until we have gone through your territory.'"

18 Then Edom said to him, "You will not pass through us lest {we will go out} to meet you with the sword."

19 The {Israelites} said to him, "We will go up on the main road, and if we and our livestock drink your water, we will pay [for it]. It is only a small matter; let us pass through on our feet."

20 But he said, "You will not go through." And Edom went out to meet {them} with a large army and a strong hand.

21 So Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory, and Israel turned aside from him.

Numbers 20:14-21 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "fathers"
• [b]. Literally "many days"
• [c]. Or "fathers"
• [d]. Hebrew "me"
• [e]. Hebrew "I will go out"
• [f]. Literally "sons/children of Israel"
• [g]. Hebrew "I"
• [h]. Hebrew "my livestock"
• [i]. Hebrew "I will give their worth"
• [j]. Hebrew "I will go through on my feet"
• [k]. Hebrew "him"