Israel Asks for Peaceful Passage, but Edom Refuses

20:14 Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom: “Thus says your brother Israel: ‘You know all the hardships we have experienced, 20:15 how our ancestors went down into Egypt, and we lived in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians treated us and our ancestors badly. 20:16 So when we cried to the Lord, he heard our voice and sent a messenger, and has brought us up out of Egypt. Now we are here in Kadesh, a town on the edge of your country. 20:17 Please let us pass through your country. We will not pass through the fields or through the vineyards, nor will we drink water from any well. We will go by the King’s Highway; we will not turn to the right or the left until we have passed through your region.’” 20:18 But Edom said to him, “You will not pass through me, or I will come out against you with the sword.” 20:19 Then the Israelites said to him, “We will go along the highway, and if we or our cattle drink any of your water, we will pay for it. We will only pass through on our feet, without doing anything else.” 20:20 But he said, “You may not pass through.” Then Edom came out against them with a large and powerful force. 20:21 So Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border; therefore Israel turned away from him. Aaron’s Death

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Moses asks Edom for peaceful passage through its land. Israel promises not to take fields, vineyards, or water without permission and payment. Edom refuses and threatens force, so Israel turns away and takes another route.

Moses sends messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. He calls Israel Edom’s brother and reminds Edom of Israel’s hardship in Egypt and the Lord’s deliverance. Then Israel asks only to pass through the land without causing trouble. They promise not to use the fields, vineyards, or wells, and to stay on the King’s Highway. They also promise to pay for any water they or their animals use.

Edom refuses. He says Israel must not pass through, and he warns that he will come out with the sword. Israel asks again and repeats its promise of restraint, but Edom still refuses and comes out with a large and powerful force. The passage ends by saying Edom would not allow Israel to pass, so Israel turned away. The focus is on Israel’s peaceful request and Edom’s hard refusal.

• The Lord heard Israel’s cry and brought them up out of Egypt.
• Israel sought peaceful passage, not conquest or plunder.
• Israel promised not to use Edom’s land, wells, or crops without permission and payment.
• Edom refused passage and threatened force.
• Israel turned away instead of forcing its way through.

• Warning: Edom threatens Israel with the sword if they try to pass.
• Appeal: Israel asks for passage on the King’s Highway and promises not to turn aside.
• Promise: Israel says it will pay for any water it or its cattle drink.
• Lesson: God’s people should speak respectfully and act peaceably when possible.

This event belongs to Israel’s wilderness journey after rescue from Egypt and before entrance into the promised land. The Lord has brought Israel out and is leading them onward. When one route is blocked, Israel must go around Edom rather than through it.

Believers should seek peace when they can and be honest and respectful, even when they are denied what they ask for. They should not take by force what God has not given. They can trust that God is still guiding his people when a request is refused.

• Lite Commentary
• In-depth Commentary