Numbers 20:21

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

Numbers 20:21 Meaning and Commentary

Ver. 21 Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his country,
&c.] Notwithstanding their near relation to each other, and the fair promises Israel made:

wherefore Israel turned away from him:
patiently bearing the refusal, and not resenting it; being ordered, as the Targum of Jonathan expresses it, by the Word of heaven, not to make war with them, because the time was not yet come to take vengeance on Edom by their hands; and to the same purpose the Targum of Jerusalem.

Numbers 20:21 In-Context

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.

22 And the sons of Israel, the whole company, journey from Kadesh, and come in unto mount Hor,

23 and Jehovah speaketh unto Moses and unto Aaron in mount Hor, on the border of the land of Edom, saying,