🔢WEB · Numbers 20:21
What does Numbers 20:21 mean?
"Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border, so Israel turned away from him."
— Numbers 20:21 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
Edom said to him, “You shall not pass through me, lest I come out with the sword against you.”
The children of Israel said to him, “We will go up by the highway; and if we drink your water, I and my livestock, then I will give its price. Only let me, without doing anything else, pass through on my feet.”
He said, “You shall not pass through.” Edom came out against him with many people, and with a strong hand.
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border, so Israel turned away from him.
They traveled from Kadesh: and the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came to Mount Hor.
Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor, by the border of the land of Edom, saying,
“Aaron shall be gathered to his people; for he shall not enter into the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah.
Explanation
Numbers 20:21 records a simple but significant moment in Israel's wilderness journey: after Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom asking for permission to pass peacefully through Edomite territory, the request was denied, and Israel had no choice but to detour around Edom's land rather than risk conflict. The verse states the outcome plainly — Edom said no, and Israel respected that refusal by turning away rather than forcing the issue.
The broader context, found in Numbers 20:14-21, shows Moses appealing to Edom on the basis of kinship, since Edom descended from Esau, Jacob's brother, making the Edomites and Israelites distant relatives. Moses recounted Israel's hardships in Egypt and promised that Israel would stay on the main road, not touch any fields or vineyards, and even pay for any water consumed. Despite this careful and respectful request, Edom refused twice, and the second time backed the refusal with a show of military force, coming out "with many people, and with a strong hand" (Numbers 20:20). Rather than escalate into war, Israel withdrew and took a different route, which is recorded in this verse as the practical resolution to the standoff.
Theologically, this episode reve
Compare translations
Go deeper with ScriptureCompanion AI
Ask questions about any verse, follow reading plans, write personal prayers, and track your daily habit — all grounded in verified scripture text.