Numbers 20:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But he said, "You are not to pass through"; and Edom came out against them with many people and much force.

Berean Standard Bible:

But Edom insisted, “You may not pass through.” And they came out to confront the Israelites with a large army and a strong hand.

American Standard Version:

And he said, Thou shalt not pass through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he said^{H559}, Thou shalt not go through^{H5674}. And Edom^{H123} came out^{H3318} against^{H7125} him with much^{H3515} people^{H5971}, and with a strong^{H2389} hand^{H3027}.

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Commentary for Numbers 20:20

Numbers 20:20 is part of the narrative in the Book of Numbers, which recounts the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. The historical context of this verse is set during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings, after their exodus from Egypt but before they enter Canaan.

In this passage, the Israelites are seeking passage through the land of Edom, which is located in the region south of the Dead Sea and is traditionally associated with the descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. The king of Edom refuses to grant the Israelites passage, citing potential harm to his land and people. The verse reflects the themes of conflict, territorial rights, and the complex relationships between different peoples in the ancient Near East.

The broader theme in this section of Numbers is the fulfillment of God's promise to His people, despite obstacles and setbacks. The refusal of the Edomites to allow the Israelites to pass through their land is one of many challenges the Israelites face on their journey. This event underscores the importance of patience and trust in God's guidance, as the Israelites must navigate their way around Edom, extending their already arduous journey.

The verse also highlights the theme of divine sovereignty versus human agency, as the Israelites' plans are thwarted by the Edomites' refusal, demonstrating that even God's chosen people are subject to the political realities of their time. This event foreshadows the many military and diplomatic challenges the Israelites will face as they establish themselves in the land of Canaan.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5674
   There are 493 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַר
   Transliteration: ʻâbar
   Pronunciation: aw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation); alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath.
   
3. Strong's Number: H123
   There are 188 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱדֹם
   Transliteration: ʼĔdôm
   Pronunciation: ed-ome'
   Description: or (fully) אֱדוֹם ; from אָדֹם; red (see Genesis 25:25); Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him; Edom, Edomites, Idumea.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3318
   There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצָא
   Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7125
   There are 117 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קִרְאָה
   Transliteration: qirʼâh
   Pronunciation: keer-aw'
   Description: from קָרָא; an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite); [idiom] against (he come), help, meet, seek, [idiom] to, [idiom] in the way.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3515
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּבֵד
   Transliteration: kâbêd
   Pronunciation: kaw-bade'
   Description: from כָּבַד; heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid); (so) great, grievous, hard(-ened), (too) heavy(-ier), laden, much, slow, sore, thick.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5971
   There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַם
   Transliteration: ʻam
   Pronunciation: am
   Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
   
8. Strong's Number: H2389
   There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָזָק
   Transliteration: châzâq
   Pronunciation: khaw-zawk'
   Description: from חָזַק; strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent); harder, hottest, [phrase] impudent, loud, mighty, sore, stiff(-hearted), strong(-er).
   
9. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.