TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.
Complete Jewish Bible
But Edom answered, "You are not to pass through my land; if you do, I will come out against you with the sword."
Berean Standard Bible
But Edom answered, “You may not travel through our land, or we will come out and confront you with the sword.”
American Standard Version
And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass through me, lest I come out with the sword against thee.
World English Bible Messianic
Edom said to him, “You shall not pass through me, lest I come out with the sword against you.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Edom answered him, Thou shalt not passe by mee, least I come out against thee with the sword.
Young's Literal Translation
And Edom saith unto him, `Thou dost not pass over through me, lest with sword I come out to meet thee.'
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In the KJVVerse 4,330 of 31,102
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Commentary on Numbers 20 verses 14–21
14 ¶ And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:
15 How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:
16 And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border:
17 Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go by the king's high way, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy borders.
18 And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.
19 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.
20 And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.
21 Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
We have here the application made by Israel to the Edomites. The nearest way to Canaan from the place where Israel now lay encamped was through the country of Edom. Now,
I. Moses sends ambassadors to treat with the king of Edom for leave to pass through his country, and gives them instructions what to say, Num 20:14-17. 1. They are to claim kindred with the Edomites: Thus saith thy brother Israel. Both nations descended from Abraham and Isaac, their common ancestors; Esau and Jacob, the two fathers of their respective nations, were twin-brothers; and therefore, for relation-sake, they might reasonably expect this kindness from them; nor needed the Edomites to fear that their brother Israel had any ill design upon them, or would take any advantages against them. 2. They are to give a short account of the history and present state of Israel, which, they take it for granted, the Edomites were no strangers to. And in this there was a double plea: - (1.) Israel had been abused by the Egyptians, and therefore ought to be pitied and succoured by their relations: "The Egyptians vexed us and our fathers, but we may hope our brethren the Edomites will not be so vexatious." (2.) Israel had been wonderfully saved by the Lord, and therefore ought to be countenanced and favoured (Num 20:16): "We cried unto the Lord, and he sent an angel, the angel of his presence, the angel of the covenant, the eternal Word, who had brought us forth out of Egypt, and led us hither." It was therefore the interest of the Edomites to ingratiate themselves with a people that had so great an interest in heaven and were so much its favourites, and it was at their peril if they offered them any injury. It is our wisdom and duty to be kind to those whom God is pleased to own, and to take his people for our people. Come in, thou blessed of the Lord. 3. They are humbly to beg a passport through their country. Though God himself, in the pillar of cloud and fire, was Israel's guide, in following which they might have justified their passing through any man's ground against all the world, yet God would have this respect paid to the Edomites, to show that no man's property ought to be invaded under colour of religion. Dominion is founded in providence, not in grace. Thus when Christ was to pass through a village of the Samaritans, to whom his coming was likely to be offensive, he sent messengers before his face to ask leave, Luk 9:52. Those that would receive kindness must not disdain to request it. 4. They are to give security for the good behaviour of the Israelites in this march, that they would keep in the king's high road, that they would commit no trespass upon any man's property, either in ground or water, that they would not so much as make use of a well without paying for it, and that they would make all convenient speed, as fast as they could well go on their feet, Num 20:17, Num 20:19. Nothing could be offered more fair and neighbourly.
II. The ambassadors returned with a denial, Num 20:18. Edom, that is, the king of Edom, as protector of his country, said, Thou shalt not pass by me; and, when the ambassadors urged it further, he repeated the denial (Num 20:20) and threatened, if they offered to enter his country, it should be at their peril; he raised his trained bands to oppose them. Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage. This was owing, 1. To their jealousy of the Israelites; they feared they should receive promises. And truly, had this numerous army been under any other discipline and command than that of the righteous God himself, who would no more suffer them to do wrong than to take wrong, there might have been cause for this jealousy; but what could they fear from a nation that had statutes and judgments so righteous? 2. It was owing to the old enmity which Esau bore to Israel. If they had no reason to fear damage by them, yet they were not willing to show so much kindness to them. Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing, and now the hatred revived, when the blessing was ready to be inherited. God would hereby discover the ill-nature of the Edomites to their shame, and try the good-nature of the Israelites to their honour: they turned away from him, and did not take this occasion to quarrel with him. Note, We must not think it strange if the most reasonable requests be denied by unreasonable men, and if those be affronted by men whom God favours. I as a deaf man heard not. After this indignity which the Edomites offered to Israel God gave them a particular caution not to abhor an Edomite (Deu 23:7), though the Edomites had shown such an abhorrence of them, to teach us in such cases not to meditate revenge.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 14–21. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Numbers 20:18 records the decisive and hostile refusal of the Edomites to grant the Israelites peaceful passage through their ancestral territory during their wilderness journey, explicitly threatening military confrontation should Israel attempt to proceed. This verse marks a significant turning point, forcing Israel to alter their divinely directed route and highlighting the persistent challenges and human opposition encountered on the path to the Promised Land.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Numbers 20:18 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its meaning and impact. The most prominent is Antagonism, as Edom's response directly opposes Israel's peaceful overture, establishing a clear adversarial relationship. This immediate declaration of hostility, despite kinship, sets a tone of conflict. There is also an element of Foreshadowing, as this initial refusal and threat of war anticipate the long and often bloody history of conflict between Israel and Edom that would continue for centuries (e.g., 2 Kings 8:20-22). The "sword" itself functions as Symbolism, representing not just a physical weapon but also the Edomites' hostile intent, their national power, and their willingness to defend their territory violently. The stark contrast between Israel's humble, kinship-based request and Edom's aggressive, military-backed refusal also creates a subtle Irony, highlighting the tragic breakdown of familial ties into national animosity.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 20:18 serves as a stark reminder that even when God's people are clearly following His divine leading, their path may be met with unexpected and unprovoked hostility from others. It underscores the reality that the journey of faith is not always smooth or direct; obstacles, even from those with whom one shares a common heritage, are part of the landscape. The Edomites' refusal, rooted in ancient animosity, illustrates how deep-seated grudges can persist and impede progress, forcing God's people to exercise wisdom and discernment rather than engaging in unnecessary conflict. Ultimately, the verse affirms God's sovereignty, as He faithfully guides Israel to their destination, even if the path requires detours and greater endurance, demonstrating that His purposes will prevail despite human opposition.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 20:18 offers profound lessons for believers navigating their spiritual journey today. Just as Israel, under divine guidance, faced unexpected opposition, we too may encounter resistance, hostility, or closed doors even when we believe we are walking in God's will. This verse challenges us to consider our response to such obstacles: do we insist on our perceived right, or do we seek God's wisdom for an alternative path? It reminds us that not every confrontation is necessary or divinely ordained; sometimes, a peaceful detour, though longer or more challenging, is the wiser and more obedient course. Furthermore, the Edomite animosity, rooted in ancient history, serves as a cautionary tale about the enduring power of unresolved conflict and bitterness, even within families or related communities. We are called to release grudges and seek reconciliation where possible, but also to recognize when others' hearts are hardened, and to trust God to redirect our steps. Ultimately, this passage reinforces faith in God's faithfulness: He will lead His people to their destination, even if the journey is not as we initially planned, demonstrating His sovereign control over all circumstances.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Edom so hostile towards Israel, despite their shared ancestry?
Answer: Edom's hostility stemmed from a deep-seated, long-standing animosity rooted in the ancient rivalry between Jacob (Israel's progenitor) and Esau (Edom's progenitor). Esau harbored a bitter resentment towards Jacob for taking his birthright and blessing (Genesis 27:41). Over centuries, this personal grudge evolved into national enmity. Additionally, Edom, as a sovereign kingdom, likely viewed the passage of a large, potentially disruptive, nomadic group like Israel with suspicion and fear, regardless of their peaceful overtures. They prioritized their national security and control over their strategic trade routes, such as the King's Highway, over any familial ties.
What was the "King's Highway" and why was it important?
Answer: The "King's Highway" (Hebrew: Derekh HaMelekh) was an ancient and vital north-south trade route that ran through the Transjordan plateau, connecting Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula in the south to Syria and Mesopotamia in the north. It was strategically crucial for commerce, military movements, and communication in the ancient Near East. For Israel, it offered the most direct and convenient path to the Promised Land from their position. Edom's control over a significant portion of this highway gave them considerable power and allowed them to dictate terms of passage, making their refusal to Israel particularly impactful.
Why did Israel not fight Edom, especially given God's promise to give them the land?
Answer: Israel did not fight Edom primarily because God had explicitly instructed them not to provoke the Edomites, Moabites, or Ammonites, as these nations had been given their territories by God and were not part of Israel's promised inheritance (Deuteronomy 2:4-6). Moses, leading Israel, sought peace and demonstrated a commitment to obeying God's specific commands regarding these nations. Engaging in conflict with a related people would have been a deviation from God's plan and an unnecessary expenditure of resources and lives. Israel's focus was on reaching the Promised Land, not on conquering every nation in their path. Their decision to detour rather than fight showcased their trust in God's ultimate guidance and their adherence to His specific instructions.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Edomites' hostile refusal to grant Israel passage, despite shared lineage and peaceful overtures, powerfully foreshadows the experience of Christ and His followers. Just as Israel, the chosen people, faced rejection from their "brothers" on their journey to the Promised Land, so too did Jesus, the ultimate Israelite, experience profound rejection from His own people, as John 1:11 laments, "He came to His own, and His own received Him not." Jesus' path to fulfilling God's redemptive plan was not a direct, unopposed route, but one marked by constant opposition, culminating in the ultimate "detour" of the cross. Yet, through this very "detour"—His crucifixion and resurrection—He forged the true "King's Highway," the path to eternal life, declaring Himself to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life. For believers, our journey to the heavenly Promised Land is similarly marked by spiritual opposition, but Christ, our greater Moses, has already overcome the world's hostility (John 16:33). He leads us not by force, but by grace, ensuring that despite all obstacles, we will ultimately enter into the rest prepared for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9-11). The Edomite refusal highlights that the true journey to God's promised inheritance is achieved not through human might or forced passage, but through divine guidance and the ultimate sacrifice of the Lamb of God.