Numbers 20 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Numbers 20 meaning explained in AI Summary

Water from the Rock at Meribah

Water Crisis in the Wilderness: This chapter recounts another instance of the Israelites complaining about the lack of water in the wilderness. Moses strikes a rock at God's command but twice.
Moses and Aaron Excluded from Promised Land: However, Moses and Aaron's actions during this water crisis (acting in anger rather than speaking to the rock as instructed) result in their being barred from entering the Promised Land.

This chapter details the Israelites' struggles with despair and disobedience as they journey through the desert. Here are the key events:

1. Death and Replacement: Miriam, Moses' sister, dies and is buried in Kadesh. The Israelites, once again without water, complain bitterly against Moses and Aaron.

2. Striking the Rock: God instructs Moses to speak to the rock to bring forth water. Frustrated and angry with the people, Moses strikes the rock twice instead. Water flows out, but...

3. Moses and Aaron's Punishment: God punishes Moses and Aaron for their disobedience and lack of faith. They are told they will not enter the Promised Land. This highlights the seriousness of their actions, even amidst their frustration.

4. Edom's Refusal: The Israelites seek passage through Edom, their brother nation, but are refused. This forces them to take a longer, more arduous route.

5. Aaron's Death: Aaron, the high priest, dies on Mount Hor and is succeeded by his son, Eleazar. The Israelites mourn Aaron for thirty days.

Overall Themes:

Consequences of Disobedience: Even great leaders like Moses and Aaron face consequences for their disobedience.
God's Provision and Faithfulness: Despite the Israelites' constant complaining, God continues to provide for them.
Humanity's Struggle with Faith: The Israelites' repeated lack of faith highlights the ongoing struggle between doubt and trust in God.
Leadership Transition: The deaths of Miriam and Aaron pave the way for a new generation of leadership under Moses' successor, Joshua.

Chapter 20 marks a turning point in the book of Numbers. It foreshadows the end of Moses' leadership and the beginning of a new era for the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

Numbers 20 bible study ai commentary

Numbers 20 chronicles the failures of the new generation of Israelites and their leaders. Occurring in the 40th year, this pivotal chapter marks a tragic transition. It records the deaths of Miriam and Aaron and the sin of Moses that bars him from the Promised Land. The themes are the consequences of unbelief and disobedience, the unwavering holiness of God, and the painful process of leadership succession as the generation destined for the land prepares to enter without its founding figures.

Numbers 20 Context

This chapter takes place in the 40th and final year of the wilderness wanderings, breaking a narrative silence of approximately 38 years. The generation that perished for their unbelief at Kadesh (Num 13-14) is now gone, and their children, the new generation, are back at Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin. This setting is crucial; they have come full circle, and their behavior is immediately tested. The chapter is framed by death—Miriam at the beginning and Aaron at the end—symbolizing the end of the exodus generation and its leadership.

Numbers 20:1

Then the people of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh. And Miriam died there and was buried there.

In-depth-analysis

The first month: This is of the 40th year after the exodus, signaling the end of the long wandering period decreed in Numbers 14:33-34.
Kadesh: Returning to the site of their parents' rebellion decades earlier frames the events to come as a test of this new generation.
Miriam died there: Her death is stated abruptly, without ceremony or divine speech. She was the third member of Israel's leadership trio (Micah 6:4). Her death marks the beginning of a leadership transition.
Some scholars note that the "well" of water associated with Miriam in rabbinic tradition is absent here, creating a literary link between her death and the subsequent lack of water.

Bible references

Micah 6:4: "...For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam." (Establishes Miriam's leadership role).
Exodus 15:20-21: "Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine... and led all the women... in worship." (Shows her prominent, prophetic role at the start of the journey).

Cross references

Ex 2:4, 7 (Miriam watches over baby Moses); Num 12:1-15 (Miriam's rebellion and punishment); 1 Chr 6:3 (Genealogy).

Numbers 20:2-5

Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD! Why have you brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.”

In-depth-analysis

No water for the congregation: An echo of the complaint in Exodus 17. The new generation repeats the sins of their parents, testing God in the same manner.
Assembled... against Moses and against Aaron: This is the language of insurrection, seen before with Korah (Num 16).
Quarreled: The Hebrew is wayyāreḇ, from the root rîḇ or rûḇ, meaning to strive, contend, or bring a legal case. This place will be named Meribah ("Quarrel") because of this.
When our brothers perished: A reference to those who died in God's judgment, likely Korah's rebellion or the plague that followed. They express a preference for a swift divine judgment over perishing from thirst.
Evil place: They disparage the wilderness and, by implication, God's provision. Their description of the promised land's produce (grain, figs, vines, pomegranates) shows they know what they are missing, making their complaint a direct charge against God's leadership.

Bible references

Exodus 17:2-3: "Therefore the people quarreled with Moses... ‘Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?’” (The parallel event with the previous generation).
Numbers 11:4-6: "...O that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt... but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at." (Shows the pattern of rebellious complaint).

Cross references

Ex 16:2-3 (complaint for food); Num 14:2 (wishing for death); Deut 9:22 (Massah as a place of testing); Ps 78:15-16, 41 (recounting Israel's rebellion).

Numbers 20:6-8

Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the LORD appeared to them. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.”

In-depth-analysis

Fell on their faces: A posture of humility, intercession, and desperation. It is their typical response to the people's rebellion, seeking God's mercy rather than taking matters into their own hands.
Glory of the LORD appeared: A sign of a direct theophany. God intervenes personally, indicating the gravity of the moment.
Take the staff: The specific staff is debated. It could be Aaron's staff that budded (Num 17) or Moses' staff from the plagues. The command is to simply take it as a symbol of God's authority.
Tell the rock (wəḏibbartem ’el-hassela‘): The command is clear and simple: speak to the rock. The power is in God's spoken word, not in a human action or magical ritual. The focus is on faith in God's declaration.

Bible references

Numbers 14:5: "Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the people of Israel." (Their consistent intercessory response).
Exodus 17:5-6: "And the LORD said to Moses... ‘and take in your hand your staff... Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock...’” (Contrast of the previous command to strike with the current command to speak).

Cross references

Num 16:4, 22, 45 (falling on their faces); Gen 1:3 (God creates by speaking); Isa 55:11 (God's powerful word).

Numbers 20:9-11

So Moses took the staff from before the LORD, as he commanded him. Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels; must we bring for you water out of this rock?” And Moses lifted up his hand and with his staff he struck the rock twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.

In-depth-analysis

You rebels (hammōrîm): Moses addresses the people with harsh, contemptuous anger. He sins with his lips (Ps 106:33).
Must we bring for you water...?: His question is arrogant. "We" elevates himself and Aaron to God's position as providers, taking the glory for himself and diminishing God's role.
Struck the rock twice: This is direct disobedience. He was commanded to speak. Striking it twice likely demonstrates intense anger and a lack of faith that a single blow—let alone a word—would suffice. He acts out of passion, not obedience. This action misrepresented God. Instead of showing God as a graceful provider, he portrayed God as angry and needing to be coerced.

Bible references

Psalm 106:32-33: "They angered him at the waters of Meribah, and it went ill with Moses on their account, for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips." (Explicitly states Moses' sin was rash speech driven by bitterness).
1 Corinthians 10:4: "and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ." (The key NT typological lens for this event).

Cross references

Ex 17:6 (The first striking); Num 11:21-22 (Moses' previous struggle with faith); Ps 78:20 (striking the rock); Mat 5:22 (Jesus' teaching on anger).

Numbers 20:12

And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”

In-depth-analysis

You did not believe in me (lō’ he’ĕmantem bî): The core sin was a lack of faith. They did not trust that God's simple word was sufficient. Their disobedience was a symptom of this underlying unbelief.
Uphold me as holy (ləhaqədišēnî): From qadash (to be holy, set apart). They failed to sanctify God's name. By acting in anger and taking credit, they misrepresented God's character. They made him seem like a reluctant, angry deity, rather than the sacred, faithful, and gracious provider He is.
Therefore you shall not bring...: The judgment is severe but just. As leaders, their public sin carried a greater weight. It dishonored God before the entire nation He was trying to teach about Himself. God holds his leaders to the highest standard.

Bible references

Deuteronomy 32:51: "...because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh... because you did not treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel." (Moses' own reflection confirming the reasons).
Leviticus 10:3: "Then Moses said to Aaron, 'This is what the LORD has said: “Among those who are near me I will be sanctified...”’ And Aaron held his peace." (The principle that leaders close to God must specially honor His holiness).

Cross references

Deut 1:37; Deut 3:26-27 (God's refusal to relent); James 3:1 (teachers judged more strictly).

Numbers 20:13

These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarreled with the LORD, and through them he showed himself holy.

In-depth-analysis

Meribah (mərîḇāh): Means "Quarrel" or "Contention." The place is named for the people's sin.
Quarreled with the LORD: The text clarifies their quarrel with Moses was ultimately a contention with God himself.
He showed himself holy (wayyiqqāḏēš bām): God demonstrated His holiness in two ways: 1) by mercifully providing water despite the people's sin, and 2) by justly judging His own leaders for their disobedience. His justice and standards do not bend, even for the greatest of prophets. This sanctified His name, showing he is not to be trifled with.

Bible references

Exodus 17:7: "And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel..." (The first incident named Meribah).
Ezekiel 36:23: "And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations..." (God's consistent theme of vindicating His own holiness).

Cross references

Num 27:14; Deut 33:8; Ps 81:7; Ps 95:8; Heb 3:7-11.

Numbers 20:14-21

Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom... “Thus says your brother Israel..." ...But Edom said... "You shall not pass through.” ...And Edom came out against them with a strong army. Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory, so Israel turned away from him.

In-depth-analysis

Your brother Israel: A diplomatic appeal based on kinship. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob's (Israel's) brother. This appeal highlights Edom's later condemnation for their lack of brotherly love.
This long and weary journey: Israel presents its case humbly, recounting its hardship in Egypt and the wilderness to elicit sympathy.
King of Edom: His refusal is absolute and hostile. He doesn't just deny passage; he threatens with overwhelming military force.
Israel turned away: Following God's command not to contend with Edom (Deut 2:4-5), Israel peacefully takes a long and difficult detour, demonstrating obedience in this instance. This detour further wears on the people, leading to the complaints in the next chapter.

Bible references

Genesis 36:8: "So Esau lived in the hill country of Seir; Esau is Edom." (Establishes the kinship).
Deuteronomy 2:4-5: "'...you are about to pass through the territory of your brothers, the sons of Esau... Do not contend with them...'" (God's prior command which explains Israel's peaceful retreat).
Obadiah 1:10, 12: "Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you... you should not have gloated over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune..." (Prophetic condemnation of Edom for their historical hostility).

Cross references

Gen 25:23-30 (Origin of Jacob/Esau rivalry); Judg 11:17 (Jephthah recounts this event); Amos 1:11 (condemnation of Edom).

Numbers 20:22-29

...the LORD said to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor... “Let Aaron be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land... because you rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah..." And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. And Aaron died there on the top of the mountain... And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they wept for Aaron thirty days.

In-depth-analysis

Mount Hor: The traditional site is on the border of Edom. Aaron's life ends at the edge of the enemy territory they could not pass through.
Be gathered to his people: A Hebrew idiom for death, implying being joined with one's ancestors in the afterlife.
Stripped Aaron of his garments: This is a formal, public transfer of the High Priesthood. The office continues even though the office-holder dies. The authority is from God, not the man. It contrasts sharply with the rebellious power grab of Korah.
Put them on Eleazar his son: This act ensures the continuity of the Aaronic priesthood, a central institution for Israel's worship and atonement system.
Aaron died there: The sentence from verse 12 is carried out. God's word is final.
Wept for Aaron thirty days: A period of official mourning, similar to that for Moses later (Deut 34:8), signifying Aaron's importance to the nation.

Bible references

Exodus 28-29: Describes the holy garments of the High Priest and the ordination ceremony.
Hebrews 7:23-24: "The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he [Jesus] holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever." (The Aaronic succession is contrasted with Christ's eternal priesthood).
Deuteronomy 10:6: "the people of Israel journeyed from Beeroth Bene-jaakan to Moserah. There Aaron died and was buried..." (A slightly different geographic reference, subject to scholarly debate about the precise location of Moserah/Mount Hor).

Cross references

Num 33:38-39 (Records Aaron's age at death: 123); Deut 34:8 (Mourning for Moses); Heb 5:4 (the honor of the priesthood).

Numbers Chapter 20 analysis

The Sin of Meribah as Typological Failure: Beyond simple disobedience, Moses' sin is often seen through a typological lens based on 1 Corinthians 10:4 ("the Rock was Christ"). In Exodus 17, the rock was struck once, symbolizing Christ crucified once for all (Heb 9:28). The command in Numbers 20 was to speak to the rock, symbolizing that after His atoning death, we now approach God through prayer and faith (speaking to the Rock), not by re-crucifying Christ (striking the Rock again). Moses' action marred this picture of salvation.
The Tragic Hero: Moses, the great lawgiver and deliverer, fails at the very end. It's a profound statement on human fallibility. Even the most faithful servant of God is a sinner and can fall. This highlights that Israel's salvation and entrance into the land depend solely on God's grace and faithfulness, not the perfection of its human leaders.
A Chapter of Transition: The chapter systematically dismantles the old leadership. Miriam, representing the prophetic and domestic aspect, dies quietly. Aaron, the high priest, dies publicly, with his office passed on. Moses, the lawgiver and supreme leader, receives his sentence of death. It is the end of an era, preparing the way for Joshua and a new generation to take over.
The 38-Year Silence: The gap between Numbers 19 and 20 is significant. An entire generation died as prophesied. But the silence in the text implies a long, monotonous period of waiting for God's judgment to be completed. When the story resumes, the new generation immediately repeats the failures of the old, showing that sin is a heart problem not solved by a mere change of personnel.

Numbers 20 summary

In the 40th year, Miriam dies at Kadesh. When the people rebel for lack of water, Moses disobeys God by striking a rock in anger instead of speaking to it. For this act of unbelief and dishonoring God's holiness, both Moses and Aaron are barred from entering the Promised Land. After being denied passage by their "brother" Edom, Aaron dies on Mount Hor, and his priestly garments are transferred to his son Eleazar, marking a solemn transition of leadership as the generation of the conquest prepares to move on without them.

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Numbers 20 AI Image Audio and Video

Numbers chapter 20 kjv

¹ Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.
² And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
³ And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!
⁴ And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?
⁵ And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.
⁶ And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them.
⁷ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
⁸ Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
⁹ And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.
¹⁰ And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
¹¹ And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.
¹² And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
¹³ This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.
¹⁴ And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:
¹⁵ How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:
¹⁶ And 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:
¹⁷ Let 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.
¹⁸ And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.
¹⁹ And 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 anything else, go through on my feet.
²⁰ And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.
²¹ Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
²² And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came unto mount Hor.
²³ And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,
²⁴ Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.
²⁵ Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor:
²⁶ And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there.
²⁷ And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
²⁸ And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount.
²⁹ And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel.

Numbers chapter 20 nkjv

¹ Then the children of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the Wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh; and Miriam died there and was buried there.
² Now there was no water for the congregation; so they gathered together against Moses and Aaron.
³ And the people contended with Moses and spoke, saying: "If only we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!
⁴ Why have you brought up the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our animals should die here?
⁵ And why have you made us come up out of Egypt, to bring us to this evil place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates; nor is there any water to drink."
⁶ So Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and they fell on their faces. And the glory of the LORD appeared to them.
⁷ Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
⁸ "Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals."
⁹ So Moses took the rod from before the LORD as He commanded him.
¹⁰ And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?"
¹¹ Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.
¹² Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them."
¹³ This was the water of Meribah, because the children of Israel contended with the LORD, and He was hallowed among them.
¹⁴ Now Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. "Thus says your brother Israel: 'You know all the hardship that has befallen us,
¹⁵ how our fathers went down to Egypt, and we dwelt in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians afflicted us and our fathers.
¹⁶ When we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice and sent the Angel and brought us up out of Egypt; now here we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your border.
¹⁷ Please let us pass through your country. We will not pass through fields or vineyards, nor will we drink water from wells; we will go along the King's Highway; we will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed through your territory.' "
¹⁸ Then Edom said to him, "You shall not pass through my land, lest I come out against you with the sword."
¹⁹ So the children of Israel said to him, "We will go by the Highway, and if I or my livestock drink any of your water, then I will pay for it; let me only pass through on foot, nothing more."
²⁰ Then he said, "You shall not pass through." So Edom came out against them with many men and with a strong hand.
²¹ Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory; so Israel turned away from him.
²² Now the children of Israel, the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor.
²³ And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom, saying:
²⁴ "Aaron shall be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against My word at the water of Meribah.
²⁵ Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor;
²⁶ and strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; for Aaron shall be gathered to his people and die there."
²⁷ So Moses did just as the LORD commanded, and they went up to Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
²⁸ Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain.
²⁹ Now when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, all the house of Israel mourned for Aaron thirty days.

Numbers chapter 20 niv

¹ In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.
² Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron.
³ They quarreled with Moses and said, "If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD!
⁴ Why did you bring the LORD's community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here?
⁵ Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!"
⁶ Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them.
⁷ The LORD said to Moses,
⁸ "Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink."
⁹ So Moses took the staff from the LORD's presence, just as he commanded him.
¹⁰ He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?"
¹¹ Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
¹² But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them."
¹³ These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD and where he was proved holy among them.
¹⁴ Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying: "This is what your brother Israel says: You know about all the hardships that have come on us.
¹⁵ Our ancestors went down into Egypt, and we lived there many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors,
¹⁶ but when we cried out to the LORD, he heard our cry and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. "Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory.
¹⁷ Please let us pass through your country. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the King's Highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory."
¹⁸ But Edom answered: "You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword."
¹⁹ The Israelites replied: "We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock drink any of your water, we will pay for it. We only want to pass through on foot?nothing else."
²⁰ Again they answered: "You may not pass through." Then Edom came out against them with a large and powerful army.
²¹ Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them.
²² The whole Israelite community set out from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor.
²³ At Mount Hor, near the border of Edom, the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,
²⁴ "Aaron will be gathered to his people. He will not enter the land I give the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah.
²⁵ Get Aaron and his son Eleazar and take them up Mount Hor.
²⁶ Remove Aaron's garments and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will die there."
²⁷ Moses did as the LORD commanded: They went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community.
²⁸ Moses removed Aaron's garments and put them on his son Eleazar. And Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain,
²⁹ and when the whole community learned that Aaron had died, all the Israelites mourned for him thirty days.

Numbers chapter 20 esv

¹ And the people of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh. And Miriam died there and was buried there.
² Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
³ And the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD!
⁴ Why have you brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle?
⁵ And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink."
⁶ Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the LORD appeared to them,
⁷ and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
⁸ "Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle."
⁹ And Moses took the staff from before the LORD, as he commanded him.
¹⁰ Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?"
¹¹ And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.
¹² And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them."
¹³ These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarreled with the LORD, and through them he showed himself holy.
¹⁴ Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom: "Thus says your brother Israel: You know all the hardship that we have met:
¹⁵ 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.
¹⁶ And when we cried to the LORD, he heard our voice and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. And here we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory.
¹⁷ Please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or vineyard, or drink water from a well. We will go along the King's Highway. We will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed through your territory."
¹⁸ But Edom said to him, "You shall not pass through, lest I come out with the sword against you."
¹⁹ And the people of Israel said to him, "We will go up by the highway, and if we drink of your water, I and my livestock, then I will pay for it. Let me only pass through on foot, nothing more."
²⁰ But he said, "You shall not pass through." And Edom came out against them with a large army and with a strong force.
²¹ Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory, so Israel turned away from him.
²² And they journeyed from Kadesh, and the people of Israel, the whole congregation, came to Mount Hor.
²³ And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor, on the border of the land of Edom,
²⁴ "Let Aaron be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land that I have given to the people of Israel, because you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah.
²⁵ Take Aaron and Eleazar his son and bring them up to Mount Hor.
²⁶ And strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. And Aaron shall be gathered to his people and shall die there."
²⁷ Moses did as the LORD commanded. And they went up Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
²⁸ And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. And Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain.
²⁹ And when all the congregation saw that Aaron had perished, all the house of Israel wept for Aaron thirty days.

Numbers chapter 20 nlt

¹ In the first month of the year, the whole community of Israel arrived in the wilderness of Zin and camped at Kadesh. While they were there, Miriam died and was buried.
² There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron.
³ The people blamed Moses and said, "If only we had died in the LORD's presence with our brothers!
⁴ Why have you brought the congregation of the LORD's people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock?
⁵ Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!"
⁶ Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the LORD appeared to them,
⁷ and the LORD said to Moses,
⁸ "You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock."
⁹ So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the LORD.
¹⁰ Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. "Listen, you rebels!" he shouted. "Must we bring you water from this rock?"
¹¹ Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.
¹² But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!"
¹³ This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means "arguing") because there the people of Israel argued with the LORD, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them.
¹⁴ While Moses was at Kadesh, he sent ambassadors to the king of Edom with this message: "This is what your relatives, the people of Israel, say: You know all the hardships we have been through.
¹⁵ Our ancestors went down to Egypt, and we lived there a long time, and we and our ancestors were brutally mistreated by the Egyptians.
¹⁶ But when we cried out to the LORD, he heard us and sent an angel who brought us out of Egypt. Now we are camped at Kadesh, a town on the border of your land.
¹⁷ Please let us travel through your land. We will be careful not to go through your fields and vineyards. We won't even drink water from your wells. We will stay on the king's road and never leave it until we have passed through your territory."
¹⁸ But the king of Edom said, "Stay out of my land, or I will meet you with an army!"
¹⁹ The Israelites answered, "We will stay on the main road. If our livestock drink your water, we will pay for it. Just let us pass through your country. That's all we ask."
²⁰ But the king of Edom replied, "Stay out! You may not pass through our land." With that he mobilized his army and marched out against them with an imposing force.
²¹ Because Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their country, Israel was forced to turn around.
²² The whole community of Israel left Kadesh and arrived at Mount Hor.
²³ There, on the border of the land of Edom, the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,
²⁴ "The time has come for Aaron to join his ancestors in death. He will not enter the land I am giving the people of Israel, because the two of you rebelled against my instructions concerning the water at Meribah.
²⁵ Now take Aaron and his son Eleazar up Mount Hor.
²⁶ There you will remove Aaron's priestly garments and put them on Eleazar, his son. Aaron will die there and join his ancestors."
²⁷ So Moses did as the LORD commanded. The three of them went up Mount Hor together as the whole community watched.
²⁸ At the summit, Moses removed the priestly garments from Aaron and put them on Eleazar, Aaron's son. Then Aaron died there on top of the mountain, and Moses and Eleazar went back down.
²⁹ When the people realized that Aaron had died, all Israel mourned for him thirty days.