Numbers 20:22

ยถ And the children of Israel, [even] the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came unto mount Hor.

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, even the whole congregation {H5712}, journeyed {H5265} from Kadesh {H6946}, and came {H935} unto mount {H2022} Hor {H2023}.

They traveled on from Kadesh; and the people of Isra'el, the whole community, arrived at Mount Hor.

After they had set out from Kadesh, the whole congregation of Israel came to Mount Hor.

And they journeyed from Kadesh: and the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came unto mount Hor.

Commentary

Context

Numbers 20:22 marks a significant geographical and narrative transition in the Israelites' wilderness journey. This verse immediately follows the account of Miriam's death in Kadesh and the fateful incident at the waters of Meribah, where Moses and Aaron struck the rock instead of speaking to it, resulting in God's judgment that they would not enter the Promised Land. The journey from Kadesh also signifies the end of a long period associated with the consequences of the previous generation's rebellion at Kadesh-barnea, which led to forty years of wandering. Their arrival at Mount Hor sets the stage for a pivotal event: the death of Aaron, the high priest, detailed in the verses immediately following (Numbers 20:23-29).

Key Themes

  • Divine Guidance and Journey: Despite the Israelites' repeated failures and the divine judgments, God continues to lead them, guiding their movements from one significant location to the next. This highlights His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, even through periods of discipline.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The departure from Kadesh is laden with the heavy weight of past disobedience. The generation that rebelled is now largely gone, and even Moses and Aaron face exclusion from the Promised Land due to their own sin at Meribah. The journey itself serves as a constant reminder of the cost of rebellion against God's commands.
  • Transition and Succession: The destination, Mount Hor, is not arbitrary. It is the designated place for Aaron's death, signifying a crucial transition in Israel's priestly leadership from Aaron to his son Eleazar. This prepares the nation for the next phase of their journey towards the Promised Land under new leadership.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Kadesh" (Hebrew: ืงึธื“ึตืฉื, Qadesh) means "holy" or "sanctuary," which is ironic given the significant acts of rebellion and judgment that occurred there. "Mount Hor" (Hebrew: ื”ึนืจ ื”ึธื”ึธืจ, Hor Ha-Har) literally translates to "mountain, the mountain," or "mountain of the mountain," emphasizing its prominence and perhaps its singular importance in the narrative as the place of Aaron's passing.

Practical Application

This seemingly simple verse about movement holds profound lessons for believers today:

  • God's Sovereignty in Our Journeys: Just as God meticulously directed Israel's path, He guides our lives. Even when we face consequences for past mistakes or experience difficult transitions, God remains in control, leading us through each season.
  • The Reality of Consequences: The journey from Kadesh reminds us that actions have consequences. While God's grace is abundant, disobedience can lead to prolonged periods of difficulty or exclusion from certain blessings, as seen with Moses and Aaron's inability to enter the Promised Land.
  • Embracing Transitions: Life is a series of journeys and transitions, often involving loss or change in leadership. Like Israel, we are called to trust God through these shifts, understanding that He is preparing us for what lies ahead and raising up new leadership for His purposes, as seen with Eleazar's succession to the priesthood.
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Cross-References

  • Numbers 20:14

    ยถ 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:

  • Numbers 20:1

    ยถ Then came the children of Israel, [even] the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.

  • Numbers 21:4

    ยถ And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.

  • Numbers 20:16

    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:

  • Ezekiel 48:28

    And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar [unto] the waters of strife [in] Kadesh, [and] to the river toward the great sea.

  • Numbers 34:7

    And this shall be your north border: from the great sea ye shall point out for you mount Hor:

  • Ezekiel 47:19

    And the south side southward, from Tamar [even] to the waters of strife [in] Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And [this is] the south side southward.
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