King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Thus Edom refused to allow Isra'el passage through its territory, so Isra'el turned away.
Berean Standard Bible:
So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.
American Standard Version:
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Thus Edom{H123} refused{H3985} to give{H5414} Israel{H3478} passage{H5674} through his border{H1366}: wherefore Israel{H3478} turned away{H5186} from him.
Cross-References (KJV):
Judges 11:18
- Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon [was] the border of Moab.
Deuteronomy 2:29
- (As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir, and the Moabites which dwell in Ar, did unto me;) until I shall pass over Jordan into the land which the LORD our God giveth us.
Deuteronomy 2:4
- And command thou the people, saying, Ye [are] to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore:
Deuteronomy 2:8
- ¶ And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Eziongaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.
Judges 11:24
- Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever the LORD our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess.
Deuteronomy 2:27
- Let me pass through thy land: I will go along by the high way, I will neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left.
Deuteronomy 23:7
- Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he [is] thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 20:21
1. Themes:
- **Divine Sovereignty and Human Choice:** The refusal of Edom to allow Israel to pass through their land highlights the interplay between God's plan and human free will. Despite the Israelites' belief that they were directed by God to pass through Edom, the Edomites' refusal illustrates the complexity of human decisions within the divine narrative.
- **Conflict and Boundaries:** The verse reflects the tension between neighboring peoples and the importance of respecting territorial boundaries, a common theme in the ancient world where land was closely tied to national identity and survival.
- **Perseverance and Detour:** This event is part of the larger narrative of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, emphasizing their need to persevere and adapt to obstacles, trusting in God's guidance even when faced with setbacks.
2. Historical Context:
- **Edomite-Israelite Relations:** The Edomites were descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob (Israel), and there was a historical animosity between the two groups. This refusal to allow passage may reflect longstanding tensions.
- **Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings:** The Israelites, having recently left Egypt, were in the midst of their journey through the wilderness to Canaan. This event occurs after the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.
- **The Role of Moses:** At this point in the narrative, Moses is leading the Israelites. His leadership will soon be called into question after this event when he strikes the rock at Meribah (Numbers 20:2-13) instead of speaking to it as God had commanded, leading to consequences for both him and Aaron.
- **Geopolitical Landscape:** The refusal of Edom to grant passage would have been a significant geopolitical event, as it forced the Israelites to take a longer, more arduous route to their destination, adding to the already challenging journey.
In summary, Numbers 20:21 underscores themes of divine direction versus human agency, the significance of national borders, and the necessity of adaptability in the face of adversity. It is set against the backdrop of complex historical relations between Edom and Israel, during the Israelites' extended journey from slavery to the land promised to their ancestors.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- 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. - Strong's Number: H3985
There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָאֵן
Transliteration: mâʼên
Pronunciation: maw-ane'
Description: a primitive root; to refuse; refuse, [idiom] utterly. - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - 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. - Strong's Number: H1366
There are 196 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גְּבוּל
Transliteration: gᵉbûwl
Pronunciation: gheb-ool'
Description: or גְּבֻל; (shortened) from גָּבַל; properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed; border, bound, coast, [idiom] great, landmark, limit, quarter, space. - Strong's Number: H5186
There are 207 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָטָה
Transliteration: nâṭâh
Pronunciation: naw-taw'
Description: a primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application; [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield.