Numbers 20:15

Verse

how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers,

American Standard Version (1901)

how our fathers went down into Egypt, and we dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians dealt ill with us, and our fathers:

Bible in Basic English

How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we were living in Egypt for a long time; and the Egyptians were cruel to us and to our fathers:

Free Bible Version

Our forefathers went to Egypt and we lived there for a long time. The Egyptians treated us and our forefathers badly,

King James (Authorized) Version

How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:

One Unity Resource Bible

how our fathers went down into Egypt [Abode of slavery], and we lived in Egypt [Abode of slavery] a long time. The Egyptians [people from Abode of slavery] mistreated us and our fathers.

Translation for Translators

You know that our ancestors went down to Egypt. You know that they stayed there for many years. They suffered because the rulers of Egypt caused them to become their slaves and to work very hard.

Unlocked Literal Bible

You know that our ancestors went down to Egypt and lived in Egypt a long time. The Egyptians treated us harshly and also our ancestors.

Noah Webster Bible

How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians afflicted us, and our fathers:

World English Bible

how our fathers went down into Egypt, and we lived in Egypt a long time. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers.

Young's Literal Translation

that our fathers go down to Egypt, and we dwell in Egypt many days, and the Egyptians do evil to us and to our fathers;

Context

Edom Refuses Passage

¹⁴From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to tell the king of Edom, “This is what your brother Israel says: You know all the hardship that has befallen us,¹⁵how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers, ¹⁶and when we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory.

Summary

In Numbers 20:15, the Israelites express their distress to the king of Edom, requesting to pass through their land peacefully without causing harm or drinking their water. This passage reveals the Israelites' desire for peaceful relations with neighboring nations and their intention to respect the resources of others. It also reflects the importance of diplomacy and seeking permission when traversing through foreign territories. Ultimately, this verse showcases the Israelites' attempt to maintain goodwill and avoid conflict as they journey towards the Promised Land.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And when we cried unto the Lord,.... By reason of their bondage, and to be delivered from it, Exo 2:24, he heard our voice; their prayer to him, as the Targum of Jonathan, for help and deliverance, Exo 2:24, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt; one of the ministering angels, as the same Targum, and so Aben Ezra; though he observes that some interpret it of Moses, as do Jarchi, Ben Gersom, and Ben Melech, which is not likely; since Moses is the person that sent this message to the king of Edom, who would not easily understand it of him, if so he meant; nor would the mention of it be of any consequence and avail with him; whereas to understand it of some divine and heavenly agent, sent by the Lord on so important an affair, might make it the more remarkable, and to be regarded by him: and indeed no other is meant than the Angel of God's presence, who appeared to Moses in the bush, and sent him to Pharaoh to demand the dismission of the children of Israel; and who, by him, wrought the wonders in Egypt, and brought Israel from thence, and went before them in a pillar of cloud and fire: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border; not that they were properly in the city, but near it, for they dwelt in tents in the wilderness; nor would that, or anyone city, hold so large a number as they consisted of.