Numbers 20:21
Numbers 20:21 in Multiple Translations
So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
So Edom would not let Israel go through his land; and Israel went in another direction.
Since the king of Edom refused to allow Israel to travel through his territory, the Israelites had to turn back.
Thus Edom denyed to giue Israel passage through his countrey: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
and Edom refuseth to suffer Israel to pass over through his border, and Israel turneth aside from off him.
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border, so Israel turned away from him.
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
Neither would he condescend to their desire to grant them passage through his borders. Wherefore Israel turned another way from him.
So, because the king of Edom refused to allow the Israelis to travel through his country, the Israelis turned and traveled a different way.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 20:21
BAB
Word Study
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Numbers 20:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְמָאֵ֣ן
אֱד֗וֹם
נְתֹן֙
אֶת
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
עֲבֹ֖ר
בִּ/גְבֻל֑/וֹ
וַ/יֵּ֥ט
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
מֵ/עָלָֽי/ו
וַ/יְמָאֵ֣ן
mâʼên
H3985
to refuse
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֱד֗וֹם
ʼĔdôm
H123
Edom
N-proper
נְתֹן֙
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Inf-a
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
עֲבֹ֖ר
ʻâbar
H5674
to pass
V-Qal-Inf-a
בִּ/גְבֻל֑/וֹ
gᵉbûwl
H1366
border
Prep | N-ms | Suff
וַ/יֵּ֥ט
nâṭâh
H5186
to stretch
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
מֵ/עָלָֽי/ו
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 20:21
וַ/יְמָאֵ֣ן
mâʼên
H3985
"to refuse"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to say no or reject something. It is used in Exodus 23:5 to describe refusing to help someone in need. God commands people to not refuse help.
Definition: (Piel) to refuse
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: refuse, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 37:35; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 77:3.
אֱד֗וֹם
ʼĔdôm
H123
"Edom"
N-proper
Edom was the twin brother of Jacob and the region where he lived. He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and his story is told in Genesis 25. Edom is also another name for Esau.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.25; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Israel (H3478); married to Oholibamah (H0173), Judith (H3067), Adah (H5711H) and Mahalath (H4258); father of: Eliphaz (H0464), Reuel (H7467), Jeush (H3266), Jalam (H3281) and Korah (H7141); also called Edom at Gen.25.30; 36.1,8,19,21; 1x,54; Another name of e.sav (עֵשָׂו "Esau" H6215G) § Edom = "red" 1) Edom 2) Edomite, Idumean-descendants of Esau 3) land of Edom, Idumea-land south and south east of Palestine
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: Edom, Edomites, Idumea. See also: Genesis 25:30; 1 Chronicles 1:54; Psalms 60:2.
נְתֹן֙
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Inf-a
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
עֲבֹ֖ר
ʻâbar
H5674
"to pass"
V-Qal-Inf-a
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: 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. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
בִּ/גְבֻל֑/וֹ
gᵉbûwl
H1366
"border"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
This word refers to a boundary or border, like the borders of the Promised Land in Numbers 34:1-12. It can also mean a region or territory, as in the borders of Israel in 1 Kings 8:65.
Definition: : boundary 1) border, territory 1a) border 1b) territory (enclosed within boundary) 1c) region, territory (of darkness) (fig.) Also means: ge.vul (גְּבוּל ": area" H1366H)
Usage: Occurs in 196 OT verses. KJV: border, bound, coast, [idiom] great, landmark, limit, quarter, space. See also: Genesis 10:19; Joshua 19:33; Psalms 78:54.
וַ/יֵּ֥ט
nâṭâh
H5186
"to stretch"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To stretch or spread out, often used to describe physical movement, but also moral deflection, as seen in the story of Israel's decline in the book of Judges.
Definition: 1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer 1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent) 1a3) to bend, turn, incline 1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down 1a3b) to bend, bow 1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stretch out 1c2) to spread out 1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away
Usage: Occurs in 207 OT verses. KJV: [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. See also: Genesis 12:8; Psalms 31:3; Psalms 17:6.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
מֵ/עָלָֽי/ו
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
Study Notes — Numbers 20:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 20:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 20:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 20:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 20:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 20:21
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 20:21
- Sermons on Numbers 20:21
Context — Edom Refuses Passage
19“We will stay on the main road,” the Israelites replied, “and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay for it. There will be no problem; only let us pass through on foot.”
20But Edom insisted, “You may not pass through.” And they came out to confront the Israelites with a large army and a strong hand.
21So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.
22After they had set out from Kadesh, the whole congregation of Israel came to Mount Hor. 23And at Mount Hor, near the border of the land of Edom, the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 11:18 | Then Israel traveled through the wilderness and bypassed the lands of Edom and Moab. They came to the east side of the land of Moab and camped on the other side of the Arnon. But they did not enter the territory of Moab, since the Arnon was its border. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 2:29 | just as the descendants of Esau who live in Seir and the Moabites who live in Ar did for us, until we cross the Jordan into the land that the LORD our God is giving us.” |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 2:4–8 | and command the people: ‘You will pass through the territory of your brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, so you must be very careful. Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a footprint, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as his possession. You are to pay them in silver for the food you eat and the water you drink.’” Indeed, the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. The LORD your God has been with you these forty years, and you have lacked nothing. So we passed by our brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. We turned away from the Arabah road, which comes up from Elath and Ezion-geber, and traveled along the road of the Wilderness of Moab. |
| 4 | Judges 11:24 | Do you not possess whatever your god Chemosh grants you? So also, we possess whatever the LORD our God has granted us. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 23:7 | Do not despise an Edomite, for he is your brother. Do not despise an Egyptian, because you lived as a foreigner in his land. |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 2:27 | “Let us pass through your land; we will stay on the main road. We will not turn to the right or to the left. |
Numbers 20:21 Summary
This verse tells us that Edom, a neighboring country, refused to let the Israelites pass through their land, even though the Israelites promised to pay for any water they used. The Israelites chose not to fight and instead turned away, trusting God to provide an alternative route (as seen in Deuteronomy 2:1-7). This shows us that sometimes we have to trust God and take the long way around, even when it's hard or doesn't make sense (like in Proverbs 3:5-6). By trusting God, we can avoid conflict and find a better way, just like the Israelites did.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Edom refuse to let Israel pass through their territory?
Edom refused to let Israel pass through their territory because they were afraid of Israel's large numbers and were not willing to trust God's promise to provide for them, as seen in Exodus 23:20-22 and Deuteronomy 2:4-6.
How did Israel respond to Edom's refusal?
Israel turned away from Edom, choosing not to engage in conflict, and instead followed God's leading to find an alternative route, as seen in Numbers 20:21 and Deuteronomy 2:1-7.
What can we learn from Edom's refusal to help Israel?
We can learn that refusing to obey God's commands and trust in His provision can lead to missed opportunities for blessing and can harm our relationships with others, as seen in Numbers 20:21 and Psalm 106:32-33.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible?
This verse is part of the larger story of Israel's journey to the Promised Land, which is a picture of the Christian's journey to heaven, as seen in Hebrews 11:13-16 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have refused to trust God's leading in my life, and how can I learn to trust Him more?
- How can I respond to difficult circumstances in my life, like Israel did when Edom refused to let them pass through, and trust God to provide an alternative route?
- What are some ways that I can show hospitality and kindness to others, like Israel requested from Edom, and how can I trust God to provide for me as I do so?
- What can I learn from Israel's decision to turn away from Edom and not engage in conflict, and how can I apply that to my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 20:21
Ver. 21 Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his country,.... Notwithstanding their near relation to each other, and the fair promises Israel made: wherefore Israel turned away from him:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 20:21
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 20:21
Through his border, but permitted them to go by their border, ,8 Jude 11:18, and furnished them with victuals for their money, . Israel turned away, according to God’ s command, .
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 20:21
Verse 21. Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border] Though every king has a right to refuse passage through his territories to any strangers; yet in a case like this, and in a time also in which emigrations were frequent and universally allowed, it was both cruelty and oppression in Edom to refuse a passage to a comparatively unarmed and inoffensive multitude, who were all their own near kinsmen. It appears however that it was only the Edomites of Kadesh that were thus unfriendly and cruel; for from Deuteronomy 2:29 we learn that the Edomites who dwelt in Mount Seir treated them in a hospitable manner. This cruelty in the Edomites of Kadesh is strongly reprehended, and threatened by the Prophet Obadiah, Obadiah 1:10, &c.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 20:21
14–21. Permission to pass through Edom refused. The Edomites occupied territory to the south of the Dead Sea, westward as far as Kadesh (Numbers 20:16) and southward as far as the eastern arm of the Red Sea (Numbers 21:4). The Israelites having failed long before to enter Canaan from the south, did not attempt it again (see, however, n. on Numbers 21:1-3), but proposed to enter it from the east. And if they could pass straight through Edom, their route would be greatly shortened. Edom’s refusal forced them to work round the south of the hostile country, and then northwards along its eastern border.
Sermons on Numbers 20:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Commentary Notes - Obadiah by Walter Beuttler | Walter Beuttler delves into the book of Obadiah, highlighting the prophetic message of divine retribution and the ultimate triumph of God's government. The Edomites, descendents of |