Numbers 20:17-29 ▼

17 Please let us pass through your land. We will not go 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.”

18 But Edom (red) 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 (God prevails) 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.”

20 But Edom (red) insisted, “You may not pass through.” And they came out to confront the Israelites with a large army and a strong hand.

21 So Edom (red) refused to allow Israel (he wrestles with God) to pass through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.

22 After they had set out from Kadesh (holy), the whole congregation of Israel (he wrestles with God) came to Mount Hor (mountain).

23 And at Mount Hor (mountain), near the border of the land of Edom (red), the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer),

24 “Aaron (light bringer) will be gathered to his people; he will not enter the land that I have given the Israelites (God prevails), because both of you⁺ rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah (quarreling).

25 Take Aaron (light bringer) and his son Eleazar (God has helped) and bring them up Mount Hor (mountain).

26 Remove Aaron’s (light bringer) priestly garments and put them on his son Eleazar (God has helped). Aaron will be gathered to his people and will die there.”

27 So Moses (drawn out) did as the LORD {YHWH} had commanded, and they climbed Mount Hor (mountain) in the sight of the whole congregation.

28 After Moses (drawn out) had removed Aaron’s (light bringer) garments and put them on his son Eleazar (God has helped), Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain.

29 When the whole congregation saw that Aaron (light bringer) had died, the entire house of Israel (he wrestles with God) mourned for him thirty days.