Numbers 20:14-21 · Bible study
Numbers 20:14-21 Commentary: Brotherhood Denied
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore Moses' appeal to Edom as 'brother Israel' and what this reveals about faith, diplomacy, and obedience when God's path takes a detour.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Israel asks Edom for passage based on shared ancestry; Edom refuses with hostility, and Israel obeys God by turning away.
- Key words: "Brother" (H0251), kinship claim; "King's highway" (H1870/H4428), public trade route; "Refused" (H3985), deliberate rejection.
- Main debate: Was Edom's refusal a sinful act of cruelty (Clarke, Obadiah) or a legitimate exercise of sovereignty that God honored by instructing Israel to avoid conflict (Deuteronomy 2)?
- Theological theme: Peaceful initiative combined with patient obedience when doors close.
- Best use: Teaching on reconciliation with those who oppose us; practical trust in God's leading through detours.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
14From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to tell the king of Edom, “This is what your brother Israel says: You know all the hardship that has befallen us,
15how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers,
16and when we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory.
17Please let us pass through your land. We will not cut through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway; we will not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.”
18But Edom answered, “You may not travel through our land, or we will come out and confront you with the sword.”
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.
WEB World English Bible 2000
14Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying: “Your brother Israel says: You know all the travail that has happened to us;
15how our fathers went down into Egypt, and we lived in Egypt a long time. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers.
16When we cried to Yahweh, he heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the edge of your border.
17“Please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or through vineyard, neither will we drink from the water of the wells. We will go along the king’s highway. We will not turn away to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed your border.”
18Edom said to him, “You shall not pass through me, lest I come out with the sword against you.”
19The 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.”
20He said, “You shall not pass through.” Edom came out against him with many people, and with a strong hand.
21Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border, so Israel turned away from him.
KJV King James Version 1769
14And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:
15How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:
16And when we cried unto the Lord, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border:
17Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go by the king’s high way, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy borders.
18And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.
19And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing any thing else, go through on my feet.
20And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.
21Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
14And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:
15how our fathers went down into Egypt, and we dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians dealt ill with us, and our fathers:
16and when we cried unto Jehovah, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border.
17Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy land: we will not pass through field or through vineyard, neither will we drink of the water of the wells; we will go along the king’s highway; we will not turn aside to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy border.
18And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass through me, lest I come out with the sword against thee.
19And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go up by the highway; and if we drink of thy water, I and my cattle, then will I give the price thereof: let me only, without doing anything else, pass through on my feet.
20And he said, Thou shalt not pass through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.
21Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
14And Moses sendeth messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, `Thus said thy brother Israel, Thou--thou hast known all the travail which hath found us;
15that our fathers go down to Egypt, and we dwell in Egypt many days, and the Egyptians do evil to us and to our fathers;
16and we cry unto Jehovah, and He heareth our voice, and sendeth a messenger, and is bringing us out of Egypt; and lo, we are in Kadesh, a city in the extremity of thy border.
17Let us pass over, we pray thee, through thy land; we pass not over through a field, or through a vineyard, nor do we drink waters of a well; the way of the king we go, we turn not aside--right or left--till that we pass over thy border.'
18And Edom saith unto him, `Thou dost not pass over through me, lest with sword I come out to meet thee.'
19And the sons of Israel say unto him, `In the highway we go, and if of thy waters we drink--I and my cattle--then I have given their price; only (it is nothing) on my feet I pass over.'
20And he saith, `Thou dost not pass over;' and Edom cometh out to meet him with much people, and with a strong hand;
21and Edom refuseth to suffer Israel to pass over through his border, and Israel turneth aside from off him.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
14And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, Thus says thy brother Israel: Thou knowest all the trouble that hath befallen us,
15how our fathers went down to Egypt, and we dwelt in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians evil entreated us and our fathers;
16and when we cried to Jehovah, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and brought us forth out of Egypt; and behold, we are at Kadesh, a city at the extremity of thy border.
17Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country; we will not pass through fields, or through vineyards, neither will we drink water out of the wells: we will go by the king's road; we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy border.
18But Edom said to him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.
19And the children of Israel said to him, We will go by the high way; and if we drink of thy water, I and my cattle, then I will pay for it: I will only, without anything else, go through on my feet.
20And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.
21Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory; and Israel turned away from him.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
14In the mean time Moses sent messengers from Cades to the king of Edom, to say: Thus saith thy brother Israel: Thou knowest all the labour that hath come upon us:
15In what manner our fathers went down into Egypt, and there we dwelt a long time, and the Egyptians afflicted us and our fathers.
16And how we cried to the Lord, and he heard us, and sent an angel, who hath brought us out of Egypt. Lo, we are now in the city of Cades, which is in the uttermost of thy borders,
17And we beseech thee that we may have leave to pass through thy country. We will not go through the fields, nor through the vineyards, we will not drink the waters of thy wells, but we will go by the common highway, neither turning aside to the right hand, nor to the left, till we are past thy borders.
18And Edom answered them: Thou shalt not pass by me: if thou dost I will come out armed against thee.
19And the children of Israel said: We will go by the beaten way: and if we and our cattle drink of thy waters, we will give thee what is just: there shall be no difficulty in the price, only let us pass speedily.
20But he answered: Thou shalt not pass. And immediately he came forth to meet them with an infinite multitude, and a strong hand,
21Neither would he condescend to their desire to grant them passage through his borders. Wherefore Israel turned another way from him.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Numbers 20:14
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this passage demonstrates Israel's careful effort to maintain peace with Edom based on shared ancestry. Moses frames his request with the opening phrase "thy brother Israel", a direct appeal to the kinship that stretches back to Jacob and Esau (Genesis 32:3-4). Barnes notes that the request calls Edom to "remember and renew the old kindnesses" of the patriarchs. The Israelites offer strict promises: they will keep to the King's Highway, not trespass on fields or vineyards, and pay for any water they drink. Adam Clarke observes that this public road was built at state expense and was the standard trade route, so Israel's request was minimal. Keil and Delitzsch describe the Edomite refusal as "most unbrotherly," threatening violence despite Israel's assurances. Calvin points out that God commanded Israel to seek peace, and their restraint in the face of a harsh refusal was an act of obedience. The unanimous scholarly view is that Israel approached Edom with generosity and restraint, and Edom rejected them with hostility.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Israel offered generous terms and obeyed God by turning away rather than fighting.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Edom's refusal as sin | Israel's offer was fair and Edom's hostility was disproportionate. | Some traditions (e.g., Clarke, Obadiah) see clear condemnation of Edom; others note that God commanded Israel to respect Edom's borders (Deuteronomy 2:4-5), implying Edom had sovereignty rights. |
| Identity of the 'angel' in v.16 | God sent a supernatural guide who delivered Israel from Egypt. | Wesley and Poole identify this as the Angel of the Covenant (Christ); others see a generic angelic messenger. |
| Israel's approach: tactical or gracious? | Moses used diplomatic language and promised to pay for resources. | Some emphasize the strategic need for the shortest route; others highlight the genuine fraternal appeal. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The encounter at Kadesh takes place near the close of Israel's forty years in the wilderness. Kadesh lay on the southern border of Edom, and the shortest route to Canaan was due east through Edomite territory. The Edomites were descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:8-9), making them close kin to Israel. This kinship is why Moses begins with "thy brother Israel." The King's Highway, mentioned in verse 17, was a major trade and military road running north-south through Transjordan. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown identify it with Wady-el-Ghuweir, an ancient route. The terrain of Edom was mountainous and difficult, so Israel could not easily bypass the country without permission.
Water rights were a sensitive matter in the arid Near East. Wells were often owned by families or clans, and travelers were expected to negotiate access. Israel's offer to pay for water (verse 19) was a standard courtesy. The Edomite king's refusal, backed by a large army, forced Israel into a long detour around the south of Edom and then up its eastern side (Numbers 21:4). This detour tested Israel's patience and obedience. Moses had already been told by God not to provoke Edom (Deuteronomy 2:4-5). Historical sources confirm that Edom was sometimes governed by kings, sometimes by dukes. The prophet Obadiah later condemns Edom's cruelty in this refusal. Clarke notes that while the Edomites near Kadesh were hostile, those dwelling in Mount Seir offered hospitality (Deuteronomy 2:29).
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries and translations record no significant textual variants for Numbers 20:14-21. The passage is stable across manuscripts. The only minor differences among translations concern rendering of 'king's highway' (sometimes 'king's high way' or 'main road') and the phrasing of Israel's reply, which does not alter the meaning.
Reception History
Early Christian readers saw this passage as an example of non-retaliation, often linking it to Jesus' teaching to turn the other cheek. The Reformation tradition, especially Calvin, emphasized God's command to seek peace even with hostile kin. Wesley and the Methodist tradition used the passage to argue that no one's property should be invaded 'under colour of religion.' In modern preaching, Numbers 20:14-21 is commonly cited to illustrate patience when God's plans require a detour, and to model respectful communication even with those who refuse to help. Jewish commentaries also highlight the kinship obligation that Edom failed to honor, tying it to later prophetic oracles against Edom.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- A brother's approach: Moses sends a gracious message that honors family ties and makes generous promises. The request is humble, not demanding.
- A brother's refusal: Edom answers with suspicion and threats, ignoring the kinship bond. Their hostility is swift and absolute.
- A brother's response: Israel turns away without retaliation, choosing the longer path rather than conflict. This is obedience to God's command.
Five-point outline
- Setting: Kadesh on Edom's border, a critical moment in Israel's journey (vv.14a).
- The appeal: Moses recounts shared history and God's deliverance to build trust (vv.14b-16).
- The request: Permission to travel the King's Highway with careful promises not to damage property or take water without payment (v.17).
- The rejection: Edom refuses twice, then mobilizes a large army to enforce their refusal (vv.18-20).
- The resolution: Israel turns away, avoiding confrontation and trusting God's alternative route (v.21).
Illustration hooks
- Neighbor's driveway: Your car breaks down and the only short cut to the mechanic is through a neighbor's property. You promise to drive slowly, stay on the gravel, and fill up the gas tank as thanks. They still say no, forcing you to take a longer road.
- Wedding invite rejected: You invite a cousin to a family reunion, reminding them of shared grandparents and old memories. They refuse because of past grievances or distrust, even though you offer to cover all expenses.
- Detour on a road trip: A highway is closed and the GPS suggests a route through a town with a toll. You follow the detour without complaint because the destination matters more than the convenience.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why didn't God just let Israel fight Edom? Wouldn't that have been quicker?
- When is it right to turn away from a conflict, and when should we stand our ground?
- How do we handle rejection from family or church members we have tried to reconcile with?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows Israel facing a closed door. Their request was fair and humble, yet they were refused. How we respond when others reject our offers of peace reveals our trust in God's guidance. Let these questions help your group explore the passage together.
Discussion questions
- Why does Moses begin by calling the Edomites "brother" (v.14)? What does this tell us about how Israel viewed their relationship?
- List the specific promises Israel makes in verses 17-19. What do these details reveal about their intentions?
- Edom's answer is harsh and comes with a military show of force (vv.18-20). What fears or motives might drive such a strong reaction?
- Israel "turned away from him" (v.21) without fighting. Where else in Scripture do God's people choose to walk away rather than retaliate? (e.g., 1 Samuel 25; Romans 12:18)
- How does this story connect to the events just before it, the water at Meribah (v.10-13)? Does Israel's restraint here contrast with their earlier complaining?
- When have you experienced a refusal from someone you considered a brother or sister in faith? How did you respond?
- If God already told Israel to go through Edom's land (Deuteronomy 2:4), what does this detour teach us about God's guidance when one path closes?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 32:3 | Jacob sent messengers in front of him to Esau, his brother, to the land of Seir, the field of Edom. |
| Genesis 32:4 | He commanded them, saying, “This is what you shall tell my lord, Esau: ‘This is what your servant, Jacob, says. I have lived as a foreigner with Laban, and stayed until now. |
| Genesis 36:31 | These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel. |
| Genesis 36:39 | Baal Hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place. The name of his city was Pau. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. |
| Exodus 18:8 | Moses told his father-in-law all that Yahweh had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships that had come on them on the way, and how Yahweh delivered them. |
| Deuteronomy 2:4 | Command the people, saying, ‘You are to pass through the border of your brothers, the children of Esau, who dwell in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. Therefore be careful. |
| Deuteronomy 2:25 | Today I will begin to put the dread of you and the fear of you on the peoples who are under the whole sky, who shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.” |
| Deuteronomy 23:7 | You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother. You shall not abhor an Egyptian, because you lived as a foreigner in his land. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights a distinction often missed: the Edomites who refused passage at Kadesh were hostile, but other Edomites living in Mount Seir later treated Israel hospitably. He sees the refusal as a cruel act against unarmed kinsmen, one that the prophet Obadiah later condemned.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes emphasizes the practical reasons Israel needed Edom's cooperation: the mountainous terrain of Edom made a direct eastward march impossible without permission. The appeal to Edom as "thy brother" invoked the old kinship of Jacob and Esau, while "angel" refers broadly to the supernatural guidance Israel carried.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin stresses that God restrained Israel from attacking Edom for two reasons: the nations were blood relatives descended from Isaac, and God had already assigned Edom its land through Isaac's prophecy. To violate that would be sacrilege. The harsh refusal Israel received was a test of their obedience, and God's sparing Edom was merely a deferral of punishment, not a pardon.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary highlights the strategic reason Israel sought passage through Edom: a direct route would have greatly shortened their journey into Canaan. Edom's refusal forced them to take a long detour around the south and then north along the hostile country’s eastern border, a hardship described as "the weariness" of the journey.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva notes observe Israel's humble request to Edom as a brother seeking passage with promises to pay for water and stay on the main road. Edom's blunt refusal and armed response show a harsh rejection of kinship, and Israel's decision to turn away instead of forcing the issue demonstrates restraint.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill identifies the angel who led Israel out of Egypt as the Angel of God’s presence, not Moses nor a mere ministering angel. He argues this divine agent made the request more significant to the king of Edom, whose refusal stemmed from the old grudge between Esau and Jacob.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights the brotherly tone of Israel's message to Edom, acknowledging their common descent from Abraham. He notes the great antiquity of the king's highway and the universal practice in the East of paying for water. Edom's churlish refusal forced Israel to take another route, a slight later avenged.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights the respectful, humble approach Israel takes with Edom: they claim kinship, promise to stay on the main road, and offer to pay for any water. When Edom refuses with threats, Israel does not force the issue but peacefully turns away, showing restraint.