Numbers 20:19-29

19 The children of Israel 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 Israel passage through his border: why Israel turned away from him.

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

23 Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor, by the border of the land of Edom, saying,

24 Aaron shall be gathered to his people; for he shall not enter into the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah.

25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor;

26 and strip Aaron of his garments, and put them on Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered [to his people], and shall die there.

27 Moses did as Yahweh commanded: and they went up into Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.

28 Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them on Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there on the top of the mountain: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain.

29 When all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they wept for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel.

Numbers 20:19-29 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.