Numbers 20:19

19 And the sons of Israel say unto him, `In the highway we go, and if of thy waters we drink -- I and my cattle -- then I have given their price; only (it is nothing) on my feet I pass over.'

Numbers 20:19 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 20:19

And the children of Israel said unto him
The messengers sent by the children of Israel made answer to the king of Edom:

we will go by the highway;
we desire no other favour but that of the public road; we propose not to go through any part of the country that is enclosed and cultivated, to do any damage to it:

if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it;
as it was usual, and still is, to buy water in those countries near the Red sea, where it is scarce. We are told ^F4, that at Suess, a city on the extremity of the Red sea, there is no water nearer than six or seven hours journey towards the north east, which is brought from thence on camels; and a small vessel of it is sold for three or four medinas, and a larger vessel for eight or ten, according to the demand for it; a medina is an Egyptian piece of money, worth about three halfpence of our English money:

I will only (without doing anything else) go through on my feet;
as fast as I can, without saying anything to the inhabitants to terrify and distress them, and without doing them any injury. Some render it, I will only go "with my footmen" ^F5; foot soldiers, an army on foot, as Israel were.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 See a Journal from Cairo to Mount Sinai, p. 10, 11. Ed. 2.
F5 (ylgrb) "cum meo exercitu pedestri"; so some in Fagius & Vatablus.

Numbers 20:19 In-Context

17 Let us pass over, we pray thee, through thy land; we pass not over through a field, or through a vineyard, nor do we drink waters of a well; the way of the king we go, we turn not aside -- right or left -- till that we pass over thy border.'

18 And Edom saith unto him, `Thou dost not pass over through me, lest with sword I come out to meet thee.'

19 And the sons of Israel say unto him, `In the highway we go, and if of thy waters we drink -- I and my cattle -- then I have given their price; only (it is nothing) on my feet I pass over.'

20 And he saith, `Thou dost not pass over;' and Edom cometh out to meet him with much people, and with a strong hand;

21 and Edom refuseth to suffer Israel to pass over through his border, and Israel turneth aside from off him.