Numbers 21:22

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.

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}.

"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."

“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.”

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.

Commentary

Numbers 21:22 records a diplomatic request made by Moses on behalf of the Israelites to King Sihon of the Amorites. As the Israelites journeyed towards the Promised Land, they sought peaceful passage through Sihon's territory, promising strict adherence to public roads and respect for private property.

Context

This verse is situated during Israel's final leg of their wilderness wanderings, shortly after their victory over the Aradites (Numbers 21:3). Having been denied passage by the Edomites previously (Numbers 20:17), Israel here makes a similar, earnest plea to King Sihon. They were approaching the land east of the Jordan River, a strategic region that lay between them and their ultimate destination in Canaan. Their stated intention was to avoid any conflict or imposition on Sihon's kingdom.

Meaning and Key Themes

  • Diplomatic Overture: The verse highlights Israel's initial approach of seeking a peaceful and negotiated solution. Despite being a divinely-guided nation with a powerful God, they first pursued diplomacy rather than immediate conquest.
  • Respect for Sovereignty and Property: The specific promises—"we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well"—demonstrate a clear commitment to respecting the Amorite kingdom's territorial integrity and private resources. This was a crucial aspect of their proposal to avoid provocation.
  • The "King's High Way": This phrase signifies their intention to stick strictly to the main public road, avoiding detours into private lands. It underscores their desire for a simple, non-disruptive transit.
  • God's Guidance in Israel's Journey: This request is part of the larger narrative of Israel's divinely orchestrated journey to the Promised Land. Even in human interactions and diplomatic efforts, God's hand was guiding their path, setting the stage for future events.

Linguistic Insight

The term "king's high way" is translated from the Hebrew derekh hammelekh (דֶּרֶךְ הַמֶּלֶךְ), which literally means "the king's road" or "the royal road." This refers to a well-established, main thoroughfare, often maintained by the ruling authority for trade or military purposes. It emphasizes that Israel intended to use a public route, not to trespass on private or sensitive areas, reinforcing their peaceful intentions.

Historical Significance and Cross-References

This diplomatic request, despite its respectful tone, was ultimately rejected by King Sihon (Numbers 21:23). Sihon's refusal and subsequent military engagement led to a decisive victory for Israel, where God delivered the Amorites into their hand. This triumph was a significant milestone, allowing Israel to possess the land east of the Jordan, and is frequently recalled in later biblical accounts as a testament to God's power and faithfulness (Deuteronomy 2:30, Psalm 135:11). It became a foundational story of God clearing the way for His people.

Practical Application

Numbers 21:22 offers insights into seeking peaceful resolutions and respecting others' boundaries, even when one has a higher purpose or divine mandate. It teaches us to initially pursue diplomatic and considerate approaches in our interactions. Furthermore, it reminds us that even when our best intentions are met with hostility or refusal, God can use such opposition to further His ultimate plan, turning obstacles into opportunities for His glory and the advancement of His purposes.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 20:17 (5 votes)

    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.