Numbers 20:23 kjv
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,
Numbers 20:23 nkjv
And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom, saying:
Numbers 20:23 niv
At Mount Hor, near the border of Edom, the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,
Numbers 20:23 esv
And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor, on the border of the land of Edom,
Numbers 20:23 nlt
There, on the border of the land of Edom, the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,
Numbers 20 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 20:12 | "Because you did not believe in me... you shall not bring..." | Reason for Aaron's death: Disobedience |
| Num 20:24 | "Aaron shall be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter..." | Imminent death and exclusion from promised land |
| Num 20:25-28 | "Take Aaron and Eleazar his son... and strip Aaron of his garments..." | Transition of priesthood from Aaron to Eleazar |
| Deut 32:50 | "and die on the mountain... as Aaron your brother died on Mount Hor..." | Parallel fate for Moses on Mount Nebo |
| Deut 10:6 | "And the people of Israel journeyed from Beeroth Bene-jaakan to Moserah. There Aaron died..." | Reiteration of Aaron's death location |
| Lev 10:1-2 | "Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron... fire from the LORD consumed them." | Warning against priestly disobedience |
| Heb 7:23-24 | "The former priests were many... but Jesus... holds his priesthood permanently." | Superiority of Christ's unchangeable priesthood |
| Heb 7:11-12 | "If perfection had been attainable... there would have been no further need for another priest." | Transition of priesthood implies imperfection |
| Gen 25:8 | "Then Abraham breathed his last... and was gathered to his people." | Being "gathered to his people" is a common euphemism for death |
| Gen 35:29 | "Isaac breathed his last and died... and was gathered to his people." | Same phrase used for Isaac's death |
| Jer 35:18 | "Because you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father..." | Emphasizes the importance of obedience to commands |
| 1 Sam 15:23 | "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption as iniquity and idolatry." | Consequence of disobedience/presumption |
| Psa 78:19-20 | "They spoke against God, saying, "Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?"" | Questioning God's power at Meribah (related) |
| Isa 45:9 | "Woe to him who strives with his Maker, an earthen pot among earthen pots!" | God's sovereignty over creation and destiny |
| Lam 3:37-38 | "Who can speak and have it happen, unless the Lord has decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?" | God's absolute sovereign decree |
| Job 1:21 | "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away..." | God's sovereign right to give and take life |
| Isa 57:1-2 | "The righteous perishes... but the righteous is taken away from calamity to come." | Death as a divine appointment |
| 1 Kgs 2:10 | "Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the City of David." | Death as joining one's ancestors |
| 2 Sam 12:23 | "Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me." | Mortality and the finality of death |
| Josh 14:10 | "So now behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as he said, these forty-five years..." | God's sovereignty over lifespans |
| 2 Chr 24:22 | "Thus King Joash did not remember the kindness that Jehoiada had shown him, but killed his son. And when he was dying, he said, “May the LORD look upon it and avenge it.”" | Disobedience often brings judgment. |
| Gen 6:3 | "Then the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years." | Limitation of human lifespan and divine decree |
Numbers 20 verses
Numbers 20 23 Meaning
Numbers 20:23 states the divine command given by the LORD to Moses and Aaron on Mount Hor, at the border of Edom, regarding Aaron's impending death. This verse marks the explicit revelation of God's will for Aaron's demise, a direct consequence of their disobedience at the waters of Meribah (Num 20:12). It sets the stage for the priestly garments to be transferred to Eleazar, ensuring the continuation of the high priestly line as commanded by God.
Numbers 20 23 Context
Numbers chapter 20 describes several critical events during Israel's journey in the wilderness. It begins with Miriam's death and burial. Immediately following this, the people once again complain about the lack of water. This leads to the pivotal event at Meribah, where Moses and Aaron, commanded by God to speak to the rock to bring forth water, instead struck the rock twice (Num 20:8-11). For this act of unbelief and failure to honor God's holiness before the Israelites, God declared that both Moses and Aaron would not bring the congregation into the promised land (Num 20:12). Subsequently, the chapter details Edom's refusal to allow Israel passage through their land, forcing the Israelites to take a detour. It is during this journey that they arrive at Mount Hor, where verse 23 establishes the divine pronouncement of Aaron's imminent death, a direct consequence of the disobedience at Meribah, fulfilling the earlier decree.
Historically, this event marks a significant turning point in the Exodus narrative. Aaron was the first High Priest, divinely chosen and consecrated. His death signifies not only the consequence of sin, even for God's chosen leaders, but also the transitional nature of the Aaronic priesthood. Mount Hor is traditionally identified as Jabal Haroun, "Aaron's Mountain," located in present-day Jordan near Petra. This physical setting highlights the isolation and solemnity of the event.
Numbers 20 23 Word analysis
- And the LORD: (וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה – Waydabber YHVH) "The LORD" is the covenant name of God, YHWH, emphasizing His personal, sovereign authority. The name highlights His consistent nature and relationship with His people, even in judgment. The prefix "And" connects this command directly to the preceding events, particularly the sin at Meribah.
- spoke: (וַיְדַבֵּר – waydabber) This is the Niphal imperfect form of the verb "dabar" (to speak, declare, command). It indicates a direct, powerful, and decisive pronouncement from God, leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation. It is a divine decree.
- to Moses and Aaron: These are the direct recipients. God chose to reveal this command to both leaders who shared in the offense at Meribah. This underscores their shared responsibility and God's impartiality in applying consequences, even to those in high spiritual authority.
- at Mount Hor: (בְּהֹר הָהָר – bəHōr hāhār) This specific geographical location is emphasized. "Hor" likely means "mountain." It implies a secluded and solemn setting, fitting for such a momentous divine decree and the subsequent death of the High Priest. The act of God speaking on a mountain often signifies a place of divine revelation and momentous events (e.g., Sinai).
- by the border of the land of Edom: This detail situates Mount Hor precisely in the geographical and historical narrative. The Israelites had just been refused passage through Edom, and this mountain lies at their border, reinforcing the journey and the surrounding circumstances that preceded this decree. It subtly emphasizes God's knowledge and command over every detail of their journey, even the precise location of a leader's death.
- saying: (לֵאמֹר – lēmōr) This often introduces direct speech or the specific content of what was said. Here, it precedes the divine command regarding Aaron's death and Eleazar's succession, providing clarity on the purpose of God's speaking.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron": This phrase immediately establishes divine authority and the solemnity of the declaration. It is God Himself initiating this, not merely human contemplation or a natural occurrence. The joint address highlights the shared leadership and the shared nature of their previous transgression that led to this divine consequence.
- "at Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom": This phrase meticulously specifies the setting, imbuing the command with geographical precision and historical context. It connects the decree to the challenging wilderness journey and the people's recent encounters (e.g., the denial of passage by Edom), reinforcing the unfolding of God's will within their journey. The isolated mountain near the border serves as a stage for this momentous transition.
Numbers 20 23 Bonus section
The Hebrew word for "Hor" in this verse, Hôr (הֹר), sometimes includes the definite article "hāhār" (הָהָר), which means "the mountain." So the text is often literally "Mount, the Mountain," perhaps signifying a very prominent or notable mountain, distinguishing it as the mountain for this significant event. The name itself suggests a distinct high place.
The specific "border of the land of Edom" is crucial, as it was their refusal of passage that led Israel around, bringing them to this very spot. This demonstrates God's intricate orchestration of events; even the actions of uncooperative nations contribute to the unfolding of His divine plan for His people. This could be seen as God's providence guiding Israel to the predetermined site for Aaron's spiritual transition. The solemn nature of this "holy mountain" (later echoed in Deut 10:6, calling it Moserah) further adds to its significance as a place where divine decree was fulfilled.
Numbers 20 23 Commentary
Numbers 20:23 is a potent verse marking God's decisive and direct intervention in the leadership succession of Israel. It explicitly pronounces Aaron's impending death, not as a natural aging process, but as a divinely appointed consequence for the collective disobedience of Moses and Aaron at Meribah (Num 20:12). This verse underscores several profound theological truths:
- Divine Sovereignty: God is sovereign over life and death. He dictates the terms and timing of human mortality, even for His most chosen servants. This is not arbitrary punishment but a demonstration that no one, regardless of status or privilege, is above God's righteous standards.
- Accountability of Leaders: Moses and Aaron, as spiritual leaders, were held to a higher standard. Their failure to sanctify God's name before the people by striking the rock instead of speaking to it resulted in a severe consequence. This highlights the weight of spiritual authority and the imperative of strict obedience for those entrusted with leading God's people.
- Holiness of God: God's holiness demands obedience. His instruction was clear (speak to the rock), and deviation diminished His glory in the eyes of the congregation. The pronouncement of Aaron's death on Mount Hor serves as a powerful reminder that God's holy name must be exalted, even at the cost of cherished human relationships or leadership positions.
- Continuity of Ministry: While seemingly a harsh judgment, this divine command simultaneously prepares for a seamless transition of the priesthood to Eleazar, Aaron's son (as detailed in the subsequent verses). This ensures the continuous operation of Israel's divinely ordained worship system, even as human leaders falter and pass away. God's purpose and covenant promise prevail over individual failures.
This verse therefore encapsulates themes of divine judgment, leadership accountability, the importance of sanctifying God, and the unfailing nature of God's plans despite human imperfection.