Keraia
Numbers 20

Numbers 20:19

Edom Refuses Passage · Numbers 20:14–21
Read Numbers 20

Translations

Modern
“We will stay on the main road,” the Israelites replied, “and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay for it. There will be no problem; only let us pass through on foot.”
Traditional
And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing any thing else, go through on my feet.
Literal
And the sons of Israel said to him, “We will go on the highway, and if I or my livestock drink any of your water, I will give their price. Only nothing more—let me pass through on foot.”
Latin
Dixeruntque filii Israël: Per tritam gradiemur viam: et si biberimus aquas tuas, nos et pecora nostra, dabimus quod justum est: nulla erit in pretio difficultas, tantum velociter transeamus.

Original

Hebrew
English
“We will stay on the main road,” the Israelites replied, “and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay for it. There will be no problem; only let us pass through on foot.”

Notes

Numbers 20:18–21

You may not travel through our land: Just as their ancestor Esau did not trust Jacob, the Edomites now did not trust Jacob’s descendants (Genesis 27:36). Therefore, Israel had to turn around and find another way to approach Canaan (compare Deuteronomy 2:4–6).

Numbers 20:14–21

Israel tried to make peace with Edom, but they did not succeed. The two nations had not had contact since the time when Esau (also called Edom) and Jacob (also called Israel) buried their father Isaac(Genesis 35:29; 36:6–8; see also Genesis 32:28).

Moses sent a formal message to the king of Edom. His request followed the style of official letters used in that time. While Israel often fought with the Canaanites and other groups, they spoke politely to Edom because the two peoples were related (see also Deuteronomy 2:4; 23:7).

Even so, family ties were not strong enough to remove the old tension between Jacob and Esau (Genesis 27:41).

Numbers 20:14–21:35

The Israelites started their journey to the promised land here. They moved from Kadesh, leaving the Sinai peninsula. They entered the area east of the Jordan River, known as Transjordan. They approached the promised land from the east, taking a less direct route (see 14:25; compare Deuteronomy 2:2–6).

Theme notes and profiles

Moses

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Ammon, Ammonites Deuteronomy, Book of Edom, Edomites Kadesh, Kadesh-Barnea King’s Highway Massah and Meribah Meribah Mount Hor Numbers, Book of Wilderness Wanderings

Topics

Edomites: Refuse to the Israelites Passage Through Their Country Highways: Roads for Public Use Inhospitableness: Edom Israel: are Refused Passage Through the Country of: Edom Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin: The King of Edom Refuses a Passage Wells: Water of, Frequently Sold