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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 20:15 how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/20-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/04_Num_20_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 20:15 - Edom Refuses Passage" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. 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The Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Our ancestors went down to Egypt, and we lived there a long time, and we and our ancestors were brutally mistreated by the Egyptians.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />how our fathers went down to Egypt, and we lived in Egypt a long time. And the Egyptians dealt harshly with us and our fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />how our fathers went down to Egypt, and we dwelt in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians afflicted us and our fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />that our fathers went down to Egypt, and we stayed in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />that our fathers went down to Egypt, and we stayed in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />that our fathers went down to Egypt, and we stayed in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />that our fathers went down to Egypt, and we stayed in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />that our fathers (ancestors) went down to Egypt, and we lived there for a long time, and the Egyptians treated [both] us and our fathers badly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Our ancestors went down to Egypt, and we lived in Egypt many years, but the Egyptians treated us and our ancestors badly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Our fathers went down to Egypt, and we lived in Egypt many years, but the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Our ancestors settled in Egypt and lived there a long time. But later the Egyptians were cruel to us, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />how our fathers went down into Egypt, and we dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians evil entreated us, and our fathers:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Our ancestors went to Egypt, and we lived there for many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />how our ancestors went to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated our ancestors and us, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Our ancestors went down to Egypt, where we lived for many years. But the Egyptians treated us and our ancestors viciously. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />how our ancestors went down into Egypt, and we lived in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians treated us and our ancestors badly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />how our fathers went down into Egypt, and we lived in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians dealt ill with us, and our fathers:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians afflicted us, and our fathers:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />how our fathers went down into Egypt, and we lived in Egypt a long time. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />that our fathers go down to Egypt, and we dwell in Egypt [for] many days, and the Egyptians do evil to us and to our fathers;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And our fathers will go down to Egypt and will dwell in Egypt many days; and the Egyptians will do evil to us and to our fathers.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />In what manner our fathers went down into Egypt, and there we dwelt a long time, and the Egyptians afflicted us and our fathers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />how our fathers descended into Egypt, and we lived there for a long time, and the Egyptians afflicted both us and our fathers,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />how our ancestors went down to Egypt, and we stayed in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians treated us and our ancestors harshly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />how our ancestors went down to Egypt, and we lived in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians oppressed us and our ancestors;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians oppressed us and our fathers;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And our fathers went down to Egypt and we dwelt in Egypt for many days and the Egyptians did evil to us and to our fathers.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And <i>how</i> our fathers went down into Egypt, and we sojourned in Egypt many days, and the Egyptians afflicted us and our fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/20-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=6357" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/20.htm">Edom Refuses Passage</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14</span>From 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, <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇō·ṯê·nū (N-mpc:: 1cp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">how our fathers</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: way·yê·rə·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To come or go down, descend. ">went down</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: miṣ·ray·māh (N-proper-fs:: 3fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">to Egypt,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: wan·nê·šeḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cp) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">where we lived</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: bə·miṣ·ra·yim (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: rab·bîm (Adj-mp) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">many</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·mîm (N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">years.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4713.htm" title="4713: miṣ·ra·yim (N-proper-fs) -- Inhab. of Eg. From Mitsrayim; a Mitsrite, or inhabitant of Mitsrajim.">The Egyptians</a> <a href="/hebrew/7489.htm" title="7489: way·yā·rê·‘ū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to spoil; figuratively, to make good for nothing, i.e. Bad.">mistreated</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">us</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: wə·la·’ă·ḇō·ṯê·nū (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 1cp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">and our fathers,</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>and 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-8.htm">Exodus 1:8-14</a></span><br />Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt. / “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. / Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-23.htm">Exodus 2:23-25</a></span><br />After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned and cried out under their burden of slavery, and their cry for deliverance from bondage ascended to God. / So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. / God saw the Israelites and took notice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-7.htm">Exodus 3:7-9</a></span><br />The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. / I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. / And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/6-5.htm">Exodus 6:5-6</a></span><br />Furthermore, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered My covenant. / Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/26-6.htm">Deuteronomy 26:6-8</a></span><br />But the Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us, putting us to hard labor. / So we called out to the LORD, the God of our fathers; and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, toil, and oppression. / Then the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror, signs, and wonders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-9.htm">Nehemiah 9:9-10</a></span><br />You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt; You heard their cry at the Red Sea. / You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-23.htm">Psalm 105:23-25</a></span><br />Then Israel entered Egypt; Jacob dwelt in the land of Ham. / And the LORD made His people very fruitful, more numerous than their foes, / whose hearts He turned to hate His people, to conspire against His servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-44.htm">Psalm 106:44-46</a></span><br />Nevertheless He heard their cry; He took note of their distress. / And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion. / He made them objects of compassion to all who held them captive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-17.htm">Acts 7:17-19</a></span><br />As the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham, our people in Egypt increased greatly in number. / Then another king, who knew nothing of Joseph, arose over Egypt. / He exploited our people and oppressed our fathers, forcing them to abandon their infants so they would die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-34.htm">Acts 7:34</a></span><br />I have indeed seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13-14</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. / But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-40.htm">Exodus 12:40-41</a></span><br />Now the duration of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt was 430 years. / At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-30.htm">Exodus 14:30-31</a></span><br />That day the LORD saved Israel from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the shore. / When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and believed in Him and in His servant Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-20.htm">Deuteronomy 4:20</a></span><br />Yet the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of His inheritance, as you are today.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-21.htm">Deuteronomy 6:21-23</a></span><br />then you are to tell him, “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. / Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household. / But He brought us out from there to lead us in and give us the land that He had sworn to our fathers.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelled in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:</p><p class="hdg">our fathers</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/46-6.htm">Genesis 46:6</a></b></br> And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/7-15.htm">Acts 7:15</a></b></br> So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,</p><p class="hdg">dwelt</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13</a></b></br> And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land <i>that is</i> not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/12-40.htm">Exodus 12:40</a></b></br> Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, <i>was</i> four hundred and thirty years.</p><p class="hdg">vexed us</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/11-5.htm">Numbers 11:5</a></b></br> We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/16-13.htm">Numbers 16:13</a></b></br> <i>Is it</i> a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/1-11.htm">Exodus 1:11-14,16,22</a></b></br> Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/11-11.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/genesis/43-6.htm">Badly</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-53.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/numbers/11-11.htm">Dealt</a> <a href="/numbers/14-30.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/numbers/14-45.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/numbers/20-5.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/numbers/14-13.htm">Egyptians</a> <a href="/exodus/32-11.htm">Entreated</a> <a href="/numbers/20-5.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/exodus/10-2.htm">Harshly</a> <a href="/numbers/11-11.htm">Ill</a> <a href="/genesis/16-6.htm">Mistreated</a> <a href="/numbers/14-19.htm">Time</a> <a href="/numbers/16-30.htm">Treated</a> <a href="/exodus/1-12.htm">Vexed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/26-6.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-17.htm">Badly</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-15.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-12.htm">Dealt</a> <a href="/numbers/23-9.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/numbers/21-1.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/numbers/20-16.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/numbers/33-3.htm">Egyptians</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/26-6.htm">Entreated</a> <a href="/numbers/22-34.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/26-6.htm">Harshly</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-21.htm">Ill</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/26-6.htm">Mistreated</a> <a href="/numbers/22-4.htm">Time</a> <a href="/numbers/25-18.htm">Treated</a> <a href="/numbers/22-3.htm">Vexed</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-1.htm">The children of Israel come to Zin, where Miriam dies.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-2.htm">They murmur for want of water</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-7.htm">Moses smiting the rock, brings forth water at Meribah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-14.htm">Moses at Kadesh desires passage through Edom, which is denied him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-22.htm">At Mount Hor Aaron resigns his place to Eleazar, and dies</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>how our fathers went down to Egypt</b><br>This phrase refers to the migration of Jacob and his sons to Egypt during a time of severe famine, as recorded in <a href="/genesis/46.htm">Genesis 46</a>. This move was initially a means of survival and was orchestrated by God through Joseph, who had risen to power in Egypt. The journey to Egypt was significant in the history of Israel, marking the beginning of their transformation from a family into a nation. It also fulfilled God's earlier promise to Abraham that his descendants would be strangers in a foreign land (<a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13</a>).<p><b>where we lived many years</b><br>The Israelites resided in Egypt for approximately 430 years (<a href="/exodus/12-40.htm">Exodus 12:40-41</a>). During this time, they grew from a small family group into a large population, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars (<a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a>). This period in Egypt was crucial for the development of Israel's identity as a people set apart for God's purposes.<p><b>The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers</b><br>The mistreatment began after the death of Joseph, when a new Pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, came to power (<a href="/exodus/1-8.htm">Exodus 1:8</a>). Fearing the growing number of Israelites, the Egyptians subjected them to harsh slavery and oppression. This oppression included forced labor and the decree to kill all newborn Hebrew boys (<a href="/exodus/1-9.htm">Exodus 1:9-22</a>). The suffering of the Israelites in Egypt is a central theme in the narrative of the Exodus, highlighting God's deliverance and faithfulness. This period of suffering also serves as a type of the bondage of sin, from which Christ delivers believers.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The descendants of Jacob, also known as the children of Israel, who are recounting their history and experiences in Egypt.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites lived for many years, initially as guests during Joseph's time, but later as slaves under oppressive Pharaohs.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_egyptian_oppression.htm">The Egyptian Oppression</a></b><br>The period during which the Israelites were enslaved and mistreated by the Egyptians, leading to their eventual cry for deliverance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/remembering_our_past.htm">Remembering Our Past</a></b><br>Reflect on how God has been faithful in past trials and tribulations. Just as the Israelites remembered their time in Egypt, we should recall how God has delivered us from our own "Egypts."<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_testimony.htm">The Importance of Testimony</a></b><br>Sharing our history and experiences can strengthen our faith and the faith of others. The Israelites' recounting of their past served as a testimony to God's power and faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_deliverance.htm">Trust in God's Deliverance</a></b><br>Even in times of oppression and hardship, trust that God hears our cries and will deliver us in His perfect timing, just as He did for the Israelites.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_forgetting_god.htm">The Consequences of Forgetting God</a></b><br>When we forget God's past deliverances, we risk falling into despair and unbelief. Regularly recounting God's faithfulness helps us remain steadfast in our faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/intergenerational_faithfulness.htm">Intergenerational Faithfulness</a></b><br>Teach the next generation about God's works and faithfulness. The Israelites' recounting of their history was a way to pass down their faith and experiences to future generations.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_doesn't_egypt_record_exodus_15's_defeat.htm">Why does Exodus 15 portray a complete military defeat of Egypt, yet no known Egyptian texts mention such a catastrophic loss?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_numbers_33_3-4_lack_evidence.htm">Why does Numbers 33:3-4 claim the Israelites left Egypt during Egyptian burials, yet no archaeological or historical evidence supports this mass departure or funerary event?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_scripture_show_collective_punishment.htm">Ezekiel 33:17 - If God's ways are truly just, why do we see instances of collective punishment and suffering elsewhere in Scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_the_bible_comfort_grief.htm">How does God provide deliverance from troubles?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">Vexed us.--</span>Better, <span class= "ital">dealt ill with.</span><p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/20-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">how our fathers</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇō·ṯê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">went down</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּרְד֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·rə·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come or go down, descend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Egypt,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִצְרַ֔יְמָה</span> <span class="translit">(miṣ·ray·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> </span><span class="str2">Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa</span><br /><br /><span class="word">where we lived</span><br /><span class="heb">וַנֵּ֥שֶׁב</span> <span class="translit">(wan·nê·šeḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">many</span><br /><span class="heb">רַבִּ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(rab·bîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many, great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">years.</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">The Egyptians</span><br /><span class="heb">מִצְרַ֖יִם</span> <span class="translit">(miṣ·ra·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4713.htm">Strong's 4713: </a> </span><span class="str2">Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">mistreated us and our fathers,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלַאֲבֹתֵֽינוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·la·’ă·ḇō·ṯê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/20-15.htm">Numbers 20:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/20-15.htm">Numbers 20:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/20-15.htm">Numbers 20:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/20-15.htm">Numbers 20:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/20-15.htm">Numbers 20:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/20-15.htm">Numbers 20:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/20-15.htm">Numbers 20:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/20-15.htm">Numbers 20:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/20-15.htm">Numbers 20:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/20-15.htm">Numbers 20:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/20-15.htm">OT Law: Numbers 20:15 How our fathers went down into Egypt (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/20-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 20:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 20:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/20-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 20:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 20:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>