Numbers 20:14-15

Edom Denies Israel Passage

14 Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying: “This is what your brother Israel says: You know about all the hardships that have come on us.

15 Our ancestors went down into Egypt, and we lived there many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors,

Numbers 20:14-15 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. S ver 1; Judges 11:16-17
• 2. S ver 16; S Genesis 25:30; S Genesis 36:16; Deuteronomy 2:4
• 3. Genesis 24:3; Deuteronomy 4:39; Joshua 2:11; Joshua 9:9
• 4. S Exodus 18:8
• 5. S Genesis 46:6
• 6. S Genesis 15:13; Exodus 12:40
• 7. S Exodus 1:14; Exodus 1:11; Deuteronomy 26:6