Numbers 20:18 kjv
And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.
Numbers 20:18 nkjv
Then Edom said to him, "You shall not pass through my land, lest I come out against you with the sword."
Numbers 20:18 niv
But Edom answered: "You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword."
Numbers 20:18 esv
But Edom said to him, "You shall not pass through, lest I come out with the sword against you."
Numbers 20:18 nlt
But the king of Edom said, "Stay out of my land, or I will meet you with an army!"
Numbers 20 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 20:17 | "Please let us pass through your land..." | Israel's initial, polite request to Edom. |
| Deut 2:4-6 | "...do not contend with them, for I will not give you any of their land..." | God's command not to fight Edom despite refusal. |
| Judg 11:17 | "...Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, 'Please let us pass...'" | Another instance of requesting passage. |
| Gen 25:30 | "...Therefore his name was called Edom." | Esau's name and origin of Edomites. |
| Gen 36:1, 8-9 | "These are the generations of Esau (that is, Edom)... Esau is Edom." | Genealogies connecting Esau to Edom. |
| Exod 13:17-18 | "...God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines... but God led the people..." | God directs Israel's path around obstacles. |
| Ps 137:7 | "Remember, O LORD, against the sons of Edom..." | Historical memory of Edom's hostility. |
| Obad 1:10 | "Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you..." | Edom's judgment for violence against Israel. |
| Amos 1:11 | "Thus says the LORD: 'For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke...'" | Edom's sin of pursuing his brother with a sword. |
| Joel 3:19 | "But Edom shall be a desolate wilderness..." | Prophecy of Edom's desolation. |
| Mal 1:2-3 | "'Is not Esau Jacob's brother?' declares the LORD. 'Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated.'" | Divine distinction between Jacob and Esau. |
| Eze 25:12 | "Thus says the Lord GOD: 'Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah...'" | Edom's later vengeful actions against Judah. |
| Isa 34:5 | "For my sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; behold, it descends for judgment on Edom..." | Divine judgment specifically on Edom. |
| Zech 13:7 | "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd..." | The sword as a symbol of divine judgment/punishment. |
| Num 21:4 | "From Mount Hor they set out by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom..." | Israel's detour due to Edom's refusal. |
| 1 Sam 14:47 | "Saul fought against all his enemies on every side... against Edom..." | Historical conflicts between Israel and Edom. |
| 2 Sam 8:13-14 | "And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites..." | David's military victories over Edom. |
| Ps 60:8 | "Over Edom I will cast my shoe..." | A symbol of Edom's subjugation. |
| Deut 23:7 | "You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother..." | Despite conflicts, a call for restraint due to kinship. |
| Job 15:22-23 | "...he looks for the sword..." | The consequence of a hostile attitude. |
| Rom 9:13 | "As it is written, 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.'" | Theological summary of divine choice/relation to Mal 1:2-3. |
Numbers 20 verses
Numbers 20 18 Meaning
Numbers 20:18 records Edom's unambiguous refusal of Israel's polite request to pass through their land, the King's Highway. This denial came with a stern and immediate military threat: should Israel attempt to traverse their territory, Edom would mobilize its forces to confront them with drawn swords, indicating a readiness for hostile engagement. This rejection necessitated a change in Israel's meticulously planned route toward the Promised Land.
Numbers 20 18 Context
Numbers chapter 20 describes Israel's challenging time at Kadesh. The people complain about a lack of water (vv. 2-5), leading to Moses' sin at Meribah where he struck the rock instead of speaking to it, preventing him from entering the Promised Land (vv. 6-13). Following this, Moses seeks safe passage through Edom, sending messengers with a diplomatic request outlining their peaceful intentions and willingness to compensate for any resources used (vv. 14-17). Verse 18 is Edom's curt and aggressive response to this request. Historically, Edom was inhabited by the descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother, suggesting a kinship bond that Moses appealed to. However, this ancient familial tie was overshadowed by territorial protection and distrust. Edom controlled a crucial trade route, the King's Highway, which Israel sought to use. Their refusal forced Israel into a difficult and longer detour around Edom's territory (Num 21:4).
Numbers 20 18 Word analysis
- But Edom: (וְאֱדוֹם wəʾĕdōm). "Edom" (אֱדוֹם, ’Edōm) means "red," a name associated with Esau (Gen 25:30) and the reddish color of the region they inhabited. The conjunction "But" signals a shift in narrative and highlights the opposition. This is not just a territorial power, but Israel's kin, intensifying the nature of the refusal.
- said to him: (וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ wayyōmer lō). A standard Hebrew verbal form, "and he said to him," indicating direct communication, possibly through the same messengers Moses sent. It conveys a clear and undeniable answer.
- You shall not pass through us;: (לֹא תַעֲבֹר בִּי lōʾ taʿăvōr bī). "Lōʾ" (לֹא) is a strong negative particle: "absolutely not." "Taʿăvōr" (תַעֲבֹר) from the root עָבַר (ʿāvar), means "to pass over," "to pass through." The phrase emphasizes an unequivocal prohibition. This denial demonstrates a rigid stance on territorial sovereignty and distrust despite the promise of peaceful passage and payment.
- if you do,: (וְאִם תַּעֲבֹר wəʾim taʿăvōr). "Wəʾim" (וְאִם) introduces a conditional clause: "and if" or "but if." It reinforces the absolute nature of their prohibition by stating the dire consequence of non-compliance. It presents a stark choice, demanding immediate respect for their boundaries.
- we will come out against you: (נֵצֵא לִקְרָאתְךָ nēṣēʾ liqrāteḵā). "Nēṣēʾ" (נֵצֵא) is from יָצָא (yaṣaʾ), "to go out," "to come forth." "Liqrāteḵā" (לִקְרָאתְךָ) means "to meet you" or "against you," often with hostile intent in a military context. This signifies proactive military action, not merely a defensive posture but an aggressive confrontation.
- with the sword.: (בַּחֶרֶב baḥerev). "Ḥerev" (חֶרֶב) is "sword," the principal weapon of ancient warfare. The preposition "ba" (בַּ) indicates "with" or "by means of." The sword here is not merely a symbolic threat; it promises a violent, armed clash. It signifies military might and a resolve to enforce their border by deadly force.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "But Edom said to him,": This highlights the immediate, personal (via messenger), and ultimately negative response from the "brother nation," Edom, setting a tone of conflict.
- "You shall not pass through us; if you do,": This constructs a firm ultimatum, articulating a non-negotiable territorial claim and a clear condition-consequence relationship, emphasizing that any transgression will trigger a predefined, hostile response.
- "we will come out against you with the sword.": This phrase concretizes the threat with specific, violent imagery, demonstrating Edom's determination to defend its borders with lethal force and underlining the seriousness of its refusal.
Numbers 20 18 Bonus section
- The phrase "King's Highway" mentioned in the preceding verse (Num 20:17) was a well-established and vital trade route in ancient Near Eastern commerce, connecting Egypt to Mesopotamia and Syria. Edom's control of such a strategic route underlines their power and the significance of their denial.
- This refusal is part of a larger pattern in the wilderness journey where Israel faces external obstacles as well as internal challenges (complaining, lack of faith). Each obstacle, including Edom's hostility, served as a test of their trust in the Lord, guiding them not just geographically but spiritually.
- The incident highlights the sovereign hand of God. Even though Israel was refused entry by Edom, the alternative route, while more arduous, was still part of God's overarching plan for His people. It taught Israel that their inheritance was not gained by military might against every obstacle, but by faith and obedience to God's specific commands, even those that seemed to lead them off the most direct path.
Numbers 20 18 Commentary
Numbers 20:18 is a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey, reflecting the persistent theme of both divine guidance and human resistance. Edom, descended from Esau, shared a complex, blood-kinship with Israel (descendants of Jacob), yet chose animosity over fraternity. Their flat refusal and military threat reveal a deep-seated antagonism that goes beyond mere territorial disputes, echoing the ancient rivalry between Jacob and Esau.
This incident tests Israel's obedience and dependence on God. Despite Edom's provocation, God commanded Israel not to engage in battle (Deut 2:4-6), even though Israel possessed the capacity for warfare. This forced Israel into a difficult and prolonged detour, but it taught them trust in God's protective sovereignty over their pre-ordained path to Canaan. The Edomites' hostility foreshadowed future conflicts and centuries of animosity between the two nations, ultimately leading to prophetic condemnations of Edom (e.g., Obadiah, Amos 1:11-12) for their perpetual hatred and violent actions against their "brother."