Numbers 21:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink [of] the waters of the well: [but] we will go along by the king's [high] way, until we be past thy borders.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"Let me pass through your land. We won't turn aside into fields or vineyards, and we won't drink any water from the wells. We will go along the King's Highway until we have left your territory."

Berean Standard Bible:

“Let us pass through your land. We will not cut through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.”

American Standard Version:

Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn aside into field, or into vineyard; we will not drink of the water of the wells: we will go by the king’s highway, until we have passed thy border.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Let me pass^{H5674} through thy land^{H776}: we will not turn^{H5186} into the fields^{H7704}, or into the vineyards^{H3754}; we will not drink^{H8354} of the waters^{H4325} of the well^{H875}: but we will go along^{H3212} by the king's^{H4428} high way^{H1870}, until we be past^{H5674} thy borders^{H1366}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 21:22

**Themes:**
- Right of Passage: The verse highlights the theme of seeking permission to travel through another's territory, respecting boundaries, and adhering to established routes to avoid conflict.
- Integrity and Commitment: The speaker promises not to deviate from the agreed path or take advantage of the host's resources, demonstrating a commitment to keep their word.
- Hospitality and Diplomacy: The request reflects the ancient Near Eastern customs of hospitality and the importance of diplomatic negotiations for safe passage through foreign lands.

**Historical Context:**
- The Israelites' Exodus: The verse is set during the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, they are nearing the end of their journey.
- Interactions with Edom: Numbers 21:22 is part of a narrative where the Israelites, led by Moses, request passage through the land of Edom. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob (Israel), and thus relatives of the Israelites.
- King's Highway: The "king's highway" mentioned was an important trade route in the region, running from Egypt to Damascus. The Israelites' request to use this road indicates a desire to travel without causing disruption to the local economy or agriculture.
- Conflict and Refusal: The passage reflects the tension between the Israelites and the Edomites, as the Edomites refuse passage and even threaten military action (Numbers 21:23). This refusal leads to the Israelites having to take a more circuitous route around the territory of Edom.

In summary, Numbers 21:22 captures the Israelites' attempt to secure safe passage through Edomite territory during their journey to Canaan, emphasizing themes of travel rights, integrity, and diplomacy within the context of ancient Near Eastern customs and the complex inter-tribal relationships of the time.

*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: 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7704
   There are 309 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׂדֶה
   Transliteration: sâdeh
   Pronunciation: saw-deh'
   Description: or שָׂדַי; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field (as flat); country, field, ground, land, soil, [idiom] wild.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3754
   There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כֶּרֶם
   Transliteration: kerem
   Pronunciation: keh'-rem
   Description: from an unused root of uncertain meaning; a garden or vineyard; vines, (increase of the) vineyard(-s), vintage. See also בֵּית הַכֶּרֶם.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8354
   There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁתָה
   Transliteration: shâthâh
   Pronunciation: shaw-thaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to imbibe (literally or figuratively); [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of שָׁקָה.)
   
7. Strong's Number: H4325
   There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַיִם
   Transliteration: mayim
   Pronunciation: mah'-yim
   Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).
   
8. Strong's Number: H875
   There are 255 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בְּאֵר
   Transliteration: bᵉʼêr
   Pronunciation: be-ayr'
   Description: from בָּאַר; a pit; especially a well; pit, well.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3212
   There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָלַךְ
   Transliteration: yâlak
   Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
   Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
   
10. Strong's Number: H4428
    There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
    Transliteration: melek
    Pronunciation: meh'-lek
    Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.
    
11. Strong's Number: H1870
    There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
    Transliteration: derek
    Pronunciation: deh'-rek
    Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever).
    
12. 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.