Numbers 20:21

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

23 God said to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor at the border of Edom,