Numbers 20:21
New International Version
Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them.

New Living Translation
Because Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their country, Israel was forced to turn around.

English Standard Version
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory, so Israel turned away from him.

Berean Standard Bible
So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.

King James Bible
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.

New King James Version
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory; so Israel turned away from him.

New American Standard Bible
So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory; then Israel turned away from him.

NASB 1995
Thus Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory; so Israel turned away from him.

NASB 1977
Thus Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory; so Israel turned away from him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory; so Israel turned away from him.

Amplified Bible
Thus [the king of] Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory, so Israel turned away from him.

Christian Standard Bible
Edom refused to allow Israel to travel through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Edom refused to allow Israel to travel through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.

American Standard Version
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.

Contemporary English Version
to keep Israel from passing through its territory. So the Israelites had to go in another direction.

English Revised Version
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Since the Edomites refused to let Israel go through their territory, the Israelites turned around and went a different way.

Good News Translation
Because the Edomites would not let the Israelites pass through their territory, the Israelites turned and went another way.

International Standard Version
That's how Edom refused Israel passage through their territory. So Israel turned away from there.

Majority Standard Bible
So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.

NET Bible
So Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border; therefore Israel turned away from him.

New Heart English Bible
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border, so Israel turned away from him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.

World English Bible
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border, so Israel turned away from him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Edom refuses to permit Israel to pass over through his border, and Israel turns aside from off him.

Young's Literal Translation
and Edom refuseth to suffer Israel to pass over through his border, and Israel turneth aside from off him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Edom will refuse to give to Israel to pass over by his boundary; and Israel will turn away from him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Neither would he condescend to their desire to grant them passage through his borders. Wherefore Israel turned another way from him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
neither was he willing to agree to their petition to concede passage through his borders. For this reason, Israel diverted away from him.

New American Bible
Therefore, since Edom refused to let Israel pass through their territory, Israel turned away from them.

New Revised Standard Version
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through their territory; so Israel turned away from them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border; wherefore Israel turned away from him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Adum did not want to allow the children of Israel to pass through his border and Israel departed from him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border; wherefore Israel turned away from him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his borders, and Israel turned away from him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Edom Refuses Passage
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.

Cross References
Deuteronomy 2:4-8
and command the people: ‘You will pass through the territory of your brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, so you must be very careful. / Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a footprint, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as his possession. / You are to pay them in silver for the food you eat and the water you drink.’” ...

Judges 11:17-18
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.

Obadiah 1:10-14
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. ...

Psalm 83:6-8
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

Amos 1:11
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.

Malachi 1:2-4
“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.

Genesis 36:8-9
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.

Isaiah 34:5-6
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.

Ezekiel 25:12-14
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.’

Jeremiah 49:7-22
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? ...

Lamentations 4:21-22
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.

1 Samuel 14:47
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.

2 Chronicles 20:10-11
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.

Romans 9:10-13
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.” ...

Hebrews 12:16-17
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.


Treasury of Scripture

Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: why Israel turned away from him.

refused

Deuteronomy 2:27,29
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…

wherefore

Deuteronomy 2:4-8
And command thou the people, saying, Ye are 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: …

Deuteronomy 23:7
Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.

Judges 11:18,24
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 was the border of Moab…

Jump to Previous
Allow Border Direction Edom Israel Passage Refused Refuseth Territory Turned Turneth Wherefore
Jump to Next
Allow Border Direction Edom Israel Passage Refused Refuseth Territory Turned Turneth Wherefore
Numbers 20
1. The children of Israel come to Zin, where Miriam dies.
2. They murmur for want of water
7. Moses smiting the rock, brings forth water at Meribah
14. Moses at Kadesh desires passage through Edom, which is denied him
22. At Mount Hor Aaron resigns his place to Eleazar, and dies














So Edom refused
The name "Edom" is derived from the Hebrew word "אֱדוֹם" (Edom), meaning "red." This name is associated with Esau, the brother of Jacob, who was known for his red appearance at birth and his red stew. Historically, Edom was a nation descended from Esau, and their refusal to allow Israel passage is rooted in the longstanding familial conflict between Esau and Jacob. This refusal highlights the deep-seated animosity and unresolved tensions that can persist through generations, reminding us of the importance of reconciliation and forgiveness.

to allow Israel
"Israel" refers to the descendants of Jacob, who was renamed Israel after wrestling with God. The nation of Israel, at this point in the narrative, is on a divinely guided journey to the Promised Land. The mention of "Israel" here underscores their identity as God's chosen people, set apart for a unique purpose. This moment in their journey is a test of faith and patience, as they face obstacles and opposition from surrounding nations.

to pass through their territory
The phrase "pass through their territory" indicates a request for safe passage along the King's Highway, a major trade route in the ancient Near East. This route was crucial for travel and commerce, and controlling it was a significant source of power for Edom. The refusal to grant passage is not merely a denial of hospitality but a strategic decision to maintain control and security over their land. This highlights the geopolitical realities of the time and the challenges Israel faced in their journey.

and Israel turned away from them
The action of "turned away" signifies a decision to avoid conflict and seek an alternative path. This response reflects a moment of obedience and trust in God's provision, as Israel chooses not to engage in battle with Edom. It is a testament to the leadership of Moses and the guidance of God, who directs His people even when the path is not straightforward. This decision to turn away can inspire us to seek peace and trust in God's plan, even when faced with rejection or opposition.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Edom
אֱד֗וֹם (’ĕ·ḏō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 123: The name of a condiment

refused
וַיְמָאֵ֣ן ׀ (way·mā·’ên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3985: To refuse

to allow
נְתֹן֙ (nə·ṯōn)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

to pass
עֲבֹ֖ר (‘ă·ḇōr)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

through their territory,
בִּגְבֻל֑וֹ (biḡ·ḇu·lōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed

and Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

turned away
וַיֵּ֥ט (way·yêṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

from them.
מֵעָלָֽיו׃ (mê·‘ā·lāw)
Preposition-m | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


Links
Numbers 20:21 NIV
Numbers 20:21 NLT
Numbers 20:21 ESV
Numbers 20:21 NASB
Numbers 20:21 KJV

Numbers 20:21 BibleApps.com
Numbers 20:21 Biblia Paralela
Numbers 20:21 Chinese Bible
Numbers 20:21 French Bible
Numbers 20:21 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Numbers 20:21 Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage (Nu Num.)
Numbers 20:20
Top of Page
Top of Page