Numbers 20:20

20 He answered again: "No. You may not come through." And Edom came out and blocked the way with a crowd of people brandishing weapons.

Numbers 20:20 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 20:20

And he said, thou shall not go through
Which is an absolute and peremptory denial:

and Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand;
the king raised the militia of his country, and came at the head of a powerful army to hinder their passing into it; being fearful and jealous, lest such a large body as they were should seize on his country, or spoil it, not relying on their promises; and this might arise also from the old grudge of Esau against Jacob, and which continued in his posterity, and might now be revived upon their going to Canaan to possess the earthly blessing conferred on Jacob and his seed: however, it seems, though the Edomites would not let Israel pass through their country, yet they furnished them with food and drink for their money, ( Deuteronomy 2:28 Deuteronomy 2:29 ) .

Numbers 20:20 In-Context

18 The king of Edom answered, "Not on your life. If you so much as set a foot on my land, I'll kill you."

19 The People of Israel said, "Look, we'll stay on the main road. If we or our animals drink any water, we'll pay you for it. We're harmless - just a company of footsore travelers."

20 He answered again: "No. You may not come through." And Edom came out and blocked the way with a crowd of people brandishing weapons.

21 Edom refused to let them cross through his land. So Israel had to detour around him.

22 The People of Israel, the entire company, set out from Kadesh and traveled to Mount Hor.