Numbers 20:15-25

15 Our ancestors went down to Egypt and lived there a long time. The Egyptians viciously abused both us and our ancestors.

16 But when we cried out for help to God, he heard our cry. He sent an angel and got us out of Egypt. And now here we are at Kadesh, a town at the border of your land.

17 "Will you give us permission to cut across your land? We won't trespass through your fields or orchards and we won't drink out of your wells; we'll keep to the main road, the King's Road, straying neither right nor left until we've crossed your border."

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.

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

24 "It's time for Aaron to be gathered into the company of his ancestors. He will not enter the land I am giving to the People of Israel because you both rebelled against my orders at the Waters of Meribah.

25 So take Aaron and his son Eleazar and lead them up Mount Hor.

Numbers 20:15-25 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.