Numbers 20:16-26

16 and when we cried to the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and brought us forth out of Mitzrayim: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of your border.

17 Please let us pass through your land: we will not pass through field or through vineyard, neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go along the king's highway; we will not turn aside to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed your border.

18 Edom said to him, You shall not pass through me, lest I come out with the sword against you.

19 The children of Yisra'el said to him, We will go up by the highway; and if we drink of your water, I and my cattle, then will I give the price of it: let me only, without [doing] anything [else], pass through on my feet.

20 He said, You shall not pass through. Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.

21 Thus Edom refused to give Yisra'el passage through his border: why Yisra'el turned away from him.

22 They journeyed from Kadesh: and the children of Yisra'el, even the whole congregation, came to Mount Hor.

23 The LORD spoke to Moshe and Aharon in Mount Hor, by the border of the land of Edom, saying,

24 Aharon shall be gathered to his people; for he shall not enter into the land which I have given to the children of Yisra'el, because you rebelled against my word at the waters of Merivah.

25 Take Aharon and El`azar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor;

26 and strip Aharon of his garments, and put them on El`azar his son: and Aharon shall be gathered [to his people], and shall die there.

Numbers 20:16-26 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.