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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 20:21 So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/20-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/04_Num_20_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 20:21 - Edom Refuses Passage" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their territory, and Israel turned away from them." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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so Israel turned away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory; then Israel turned away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Thus Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory; so Israel turned away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Thus Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory; so Israel turned away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Thus Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory; so Israel turned away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Thus [the king of] Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory, so Israel turned away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Edom refused to allow Israel to travel through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Edom refused to allow Israel to travel through their territory, and Israel turned away from them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />to keep Israel from passing through its territory. So the Israelites had to go in another direction. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Since the Edomites refused to let Israel go through their territory, the Israelites turned around and went a different way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Because the Edomites would not let the Israelites pass through their territory, the Israelites turned and went another way. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />That's how Edom refused Israel passage through their territory. So Israel turned away from there. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border; therefore Israel turned away from him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border, so Israel turned away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border, so Israel turned away from him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and Edom refuses to permit Israel to pass over through his border, and Israel turns aside from off him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Edom refuseth to suffer Israel to pass over through his border, and Israel turneth aside from off him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Edom will refuse to give to Israel to pass over by his boundary; and Israel will turn away from him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Neither would he condescend to their desire to grant them passage through his borders. Wherefore Israel turned another way from him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />neither was he willing to agree to their petition to concede passage through his borders. For this reason, Israel diverted away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Therefore, since Edom refused to let Israel pass through their territory, Israel turned away from them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through their territory; so Israel turned away from them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border; wherefore Israel turned away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Adum did not want to allow the children of Israel to pass through his border and Israel departed from him.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border; wherefore Israel turned away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his borders, and Israel turned away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/20-21.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=6423" 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">20</span>But Edom insisted, “You may not pass through.” And they came out to confront the Israelites with a large army and a strong hand. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/123.htm" title="123: ’ĕ·ḏō·wm (N-proper-ms) -- The name of a condiment. Or oedowm; from 'adom; red; Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region occupied by him.">So Edom</a> <a href="/hebrew/3985.htm" title="3985: way·mā·’ên (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To refuse. A primitive root; to refuse.">refused</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nə·ṯōn (V-Qal-Inf) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">to allow</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: ‘ă·ḇōr (V-Qal-Inf) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">to pass</a> <a href="/hebrew/1366.htm" title="1366: biḡ·ḇu·lōw (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Border, boundary, territory. Or gbul; from gabal; properly, a cord, i.e. a boundary; by extens. The territory inclosed.">through their territory,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">and Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/5186.htm" title="5186: way·yêṭ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away; used in a great variety of application.">turned away</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: mê·‘ā·lāw (Prep-m:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">from them.</a> </span><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="/deuteronomy/2-4.htm">Deuteronomy 2:4-8</a></span><br />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.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/11-17.htm">Judges 11:17-18</a></span><br />Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Please let us pass through your land,’ but the king of Edom would not listen. They also sent messengers to the king of Moab, but he would not consent. So Israel stayed in Kadesh. / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/obadiah/1-10.htm">Obadiah 1:10-14</a></span><br />Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever. / On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them. / But you should not gloat in that day, your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast proudly in the day of their distress. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/83-6.htm">Psalm 83:6-8</a></span><br />the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, / of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia with the people of Tyre. / Even Assyria has joined them, lending strength to the sons of Lot. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/1-11.htm">Amos 1:11</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Edom, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and stifled all compassion; his anger raged continually, and his fury flamed incessantly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2-4</a></span><br />“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved, / but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.” / Though Edom may say, “We have been devastated, but we will rebuild the ruins,” this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Land of Wickedness, and a people with whom the LORD is indignant forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/36-8.htm">Genesis 36:8-9</a></span><br />So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the area of Mount Seir. / This is the account of Esau, the father of the Edomites, in the area of Mount Seir.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/34-5.htm">Isaiah 34:5-6</a></span><br />When My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens, then it will come down upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction. / The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat—with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/25-12.htm">Ezekiel 25:12-14</a></span><br />This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, and in so doing incurred grievous guilt, / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. / I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/49-7.htm">Jeremiah 49:7-22</a></span><br />Concerning Edom, this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed? / Turn and run! Lie low, O dwellers of Dedan, for I will bring disaster on Esau at the time I punish him. / If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleanings? Were thieves to come in the night, would they not steal only what they wanted? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/4-21.htm">Lamentations 4:21-22</a></span><br />So rejoice and be glad, O Daughter of Edom, you who dwell in the land of Uz. Yet the cup will pass to you as well; you will get drunk and expose yourself. / O Daughter of Zion, your punishment is complete; He will not prolong your exile. But He will punish your iniquity, O Daughter of Edom; He will expose your sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-47.htm">1 Samuel 14:47</a></span><br />After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-10.htm">2 Chronicles 20:10-11</a></span><br />And now, here are the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt. So Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them. / See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession that You gave us as an inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-10.htm">Romans 9:10-13</a></span><br />Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. / Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, / not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-16.htm">Hebrews 12:16-17</a></span><br />See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright. / For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He could find no ground for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: why Israel turned away from him.</p><p class="hdg">refused</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/2-27.htm">Deuteronomy 2:27,29</a></b></br> Let me pass through thy land: I will go along by the high way, I will neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left… </p><p class="hdg">wherefore</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/2-4.htm">Deuteronomy 2:4-8</a></b></br> And command thou the people, saying, Ye <i>are</i> to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/23-7.htm">Deuteronomy 23:7</a></b></br> Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he <i>is</i> thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/11-18.htm">Judges 11:18,24</a></b></br> Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon <i>was</i> the border of Moab… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/2-13.htm">Allow</a> <a href="/numbers/20-17.htm">Border</a> <a href="/numbers/19-4.htm">Direction</a> <a href="/numbers/20-20.htm">Edom</a> <a href="/numbers/20-19.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/genesis/32-22.htm">Passage</a> <a href="/exodus/16-28.htm">Refused</a> <a href="/exodus/7-14.htm">Refuseth</a> <a href="/exodus/34-24.htm">Territory</a> <a href="/numbers/20-10.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/numbers/16-50.htm">Turneth</a> <a href="/numbers/20-5.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/21-23.htm">Allow</a> <a href="/numbers/20-23.htm">Border</a> <a href="/numbers/21-18.htm">Direction</a> <a href="/numbers/20-23.htm">Edom</a> <a href="/numbers/20-22.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/22-11.htm">Passage</a> <a href="/numbers/22-13.htm">Refused</a> <a href="/numbers/22-13.htm">Refuseth</a> <a href="/numbers/21-13.htm">Territory</a> <a href="/numbers/21-15.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/numbers/21-15.htm">Turneth</a> <a href="/numbers/21-5.htm">Wherefore</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>So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their territory</b><br>Edom, descended from Esau, Jacob's brother, had a longstanding enmity with Israel. This refusal highlights the deep-seated animosity between the two nations, rooted in the sibling rivalry of Esau and Jacob (<a href="/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23</a>). The Edomites' denial of passage is significant as it forced Israel to take a longer, more arduous route to the Promised Land. This act of refusal is a fulfillment of the prophecy given to Rebekah about the struggle between her sons' descendants (<a href="/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23</a>). Geographically, Edom was located south of the Dead Sea, and its terrain was rugged and mountainous, making it a strategic location that Israel hoped to traverse. Historically, this incident reflects the political tensions and territorial disputes common in the ancient Near East.<p><b>and Israel turned away from them</b><br>Israel's decision to turn away rather than engage in conflict demonstrates a commitment to peace and obedience to God's command to avoid hostility with Edom (<a href="/deuteronomy/2-4.htm">Deuteronomy 2:4-5</a>). This action can be seen as a test of faith and patience for the Israelites, who were learning to trust in God's timing and provision. Theologically, this turning away can be viewed as a type of Christ, who also chose the path of peace and submission to God's will, even in the face of opposition. This moment foreshadows the New Testament teaching of loving one's enemies and seeking peace (<a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a>). The Israelites' detour around Edom is a reminder of the challenges and detours believers may face in their spiritual journey, emphasizing reliance on God's guidance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/edom.htm">Edom</a></b><br>A nation descended from Esau, Jacob's brother. The Edomites lived in the region south of the Dead Sea. Their refusal to let Israel pass through their land is a significant event in Israel's wilderness journey.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation chosen by God, consisting of the descendants of Jacob. At this point in their history, they are journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of Israel, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. He is the one who communicates with Edom on behalf of Israel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/k/kadesh.htm">Kadesh</a></b><br>A location in the wilderness where Israel camped. It is from here that Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_king's_highway.htm">The King's Highway</a></b><br>An ancient trade route that Israel requested to use for passage through Edom. It was a direct and established path that would have facilitated their journey.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_boundaries.htm">Respect for Boundaries</a></b><br>The refusal of Edom to allow passage teaches us about respecting the boundaries and decisions of others, even when they seem inconvenient or unfair.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a></b><br>Despite the setback, Israel had to trust in God's provision and guidance. We are reminded to trust God when our plans are thwarted.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/historical_enmity_and_reconciliation.htm">Historical Enmity and Reconciliation</a></b><br>The conflict between Israel and Edom is rooted in historical enmity. This challenges us to seek reconciliation and peace in our relationships, breaking cycles of animosity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>God's instructions regarding Edom in other scriptures remind us of His sovereignty and the importance of obedience to His commands, even when they involve difficult relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_faith.htm">Perseverance in Faith</a></b><br>Israel's journey was filled with obstacles, yet they continued to move forward. This encourages us to persevere in our faith journey, trusting that God will lead us to our destination.<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/what_is_edom's_fate_in_the_bible.htm">What fate awaits Edom according to biblical prophecies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_history_confirm_edom's_lasting_hate.htm">If Ezekiel 35:5 describes Edom's 'perpetual hatred,' does historical record support such an unbroken hostility?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_edom_denying_israel_passage.htm">Numbers 20:14-21 - Is there any historical or archaeological evidence supporting Edom's refusal to allow Israel passage?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_obadiah_1_18_conflict_with_edomite_history.htm">How does Obadiah 1:18 align with or conflict against evidence of Edomite survival or assimilation in later history?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/20-21.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">So Edom</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱד֗וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·ḏō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_123.htm">Strong's 123: </a> </span><span class="str2">The name of a condiment</span><br /><br /><span class="word">refused</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְמָאֵ֣ן ׀</span> <span class="translit">(way·mā·’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3985.htm">Strong's 3985: </a> </span><span class="str2">To refuse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to allow</span><br /><span class="heb">נְתֹן֙</span> <span class="translit">(nə·ṯōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to pass</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲבֹ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ḇōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pass over, through, or by, pass on</span><br /><br /><span class="word">through their territory,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּגְבֻל֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(biḡ·ḇu·lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1366.htm">Strong's 1366: </a> </span><span class="str2">A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">turned away</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֥ט</span> <span class="translit">(way·yêṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5186.htm">Strong's 5186: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from them.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵעָלָֽיו׃</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘ā·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/20-21.htm">Numbers 20:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/20-21.htm">Numbers 20:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/20-21.htm">Numbers 20:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/20-21.htm">Numbers 20:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/20-21.htm">Numbers 20:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/20-21.htm">Numbers 20:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/20-21.htm">Numbers 20:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/20-21.htm">Numbers 20:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/20-21.htm">Numbers 20:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/20-21.htm">Numbers 20:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/20-21.htm">OT Law: Numbers 20:21 Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/20-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 20:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 20:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/20-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 20:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 20:22" /></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>