Bible Commentaries
Numbers 20

Introduction

Overview

Numbers 20:1, The children of Israel come to Zin, where Miriam dies; Numbers 20:2, They murmur for want of water; Numbers 20:7, Moses smiting the rock, brings forth water at Meribah; Numbers 20:14, Moses at Kadesh desires passage through Edom, which is denied him; Numbers 20:22, At mount Hor Aaron resigns his place to Eleazar, and dies.

Verse 1

An, Ex, Is, 40

Then: This was the first month of the fortieth year after the departure from Egypt. - Compare Numbers 33:38, with Numbers 20:28, of this chapter and Deuteronomy 1:3. This year was the last of their journeyings, for from the going out of the spies - Numbers 13:1 unto this time, was about thirty-eight years. Deuteronomy 1:22, Deuteronomy 1:23, Deuteronomy 2:14

into: Numbers 13:21, Numbers 27:14, Numbers 33:36, Deuteronomy 32:51

Kadesh: This Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin, is different from Kadesh-barnea, lying in, or adjoining to the wilderness of Paran, about eight leagues south of Hebron. - See note on Numbers 34:3, Numbers 34:4. Joshua 15:1, Joshua 15:3. Kadesh is called Rekam, by the Targumists, Rekem, in the Syriac, and Rakim, in Arabic. Rekem, says Rabbi Nissin - in Gittin, chapter 1 is on the east, meaning of the land of Israel. Numbers 20:16, Psalms 29:8

Miriam: Numbers 12:1, Numbers 12:10, Numbers 12:15, Numbers 26:59, Exodus 2:4, Exodus 2:7, Exodus 15:20, Micah 6:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:7 - Kadesh Numbers 10:31 - forasmuch Numbers 13:26 - Kadesh Numbers 20:22 - Kadesh Deuteronomy 1:46 - General Judges 11:16 - came Judges 11:17 - abode Ezekiel 48:28 - strife in Kadesh Acts 7:36 - and in the wilderness

Verse 2

no: Exodus 15:23, Exodus 15:24, Exodus 17:1-4

gathered: Numbers 11:1-6, Numbers 16:3, Numbers 16:19, Numbers 16:42, Numbers 21:5, Exodus 16:2, Exodus 16:7, Exodus 16:12, 1 Corinthians 10:10, 1 Corinthians 10:11

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 9:7 - from the day 2 Kings 3:9 - no water Psalms 106:32 - angered

Verse 3

God: Numbers 14:1, Numbers 14:2, Exodus 16:2, Exodus 16:3, Exodus 17:2, Job 3:10, Job 3:11

when: Numbers 11:1, Numbers 11:33, Numbers 11:34, Numbers 14:36, Numbers 14:37, Numbers 16:31-35, Numbers 16:49, Lamentations 4:9

Reciprocal: Numbers 16:13 - to kill Deuteronomy 6:16 - tempted him Jonah 4:3 - take

Verse 4

why: Numbers 11:5, Exodus 5:21, Exodus 17:3, Psalms 106:21, Acts 7:35, Acts 7:39, Acts 7:40

that we: Numbers 16:13, Numbers 16:14, Numbers 16:41, Exodus 14:11, Exodus 14:12, Exodus 16:3

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 6:16 - tempted him Joshua 7:7 - to deliver 2 Kings 3:9 - no water

Verse 5

this evil: Numbers 16:14, Deuteronomy 8:15, Nehemiah 9:21, Jeremiah 2:2, Jeremiah 2:6, Ezekiel 20:36

no place of: i.e. "no place for sowing

Reciprocal: Joshua 7:7 - to deliver

Verse 6

they fell: Numbers 14:5, Numbers 16:4, Numbers 16:22, Numbers 16:45, Exodus 17:4, Joshua 7:6, 1 Chronicles 21:16, Psalms 109:3, Psalms 109:4, Matthew 26:39

the glory: Numbers 12:5, Numbers 14:10, Numbers 16:19, Numbers 16:42, Exodus 16:10

Reciprocal: Psalms 106:32 - angered

Verse 7

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 3:26 - the Lord Nehemiah 9:15 - broughtest

Verse 8

the rod: Numbers 21:15, Numbers 21:18, Exodus 4:2, Exodus 4:17, Exodus 7:20, Exodus 14:16, Exodus 17:5, Exodus 17:9

speak: Genesis 18:14, Joshua 6:5, Joshua 6:20, Psalms 33:9, Matthew 21:21, Mark 11:22-24, Luke 11:13, John 4:10-14, John 16:24, Acts 1:14, Acts 2:1-4, Revelation 22:1, Revelation 22:17

bring forth: Numbers 20:11, Nehemiah 9:15, Psalms 78:15, Psalms 78:16, Psalms 105:41, Psalms 114:8, Isaiah 41:17, Isaiah 41:18, Isaiah 43:20, Isaiah 48:21

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:20 - the rod of God Leviticus 8:3 - General Numbers 21:16 - Gather Numbers 27:14 - ye rebelled Deuteronomy 29:6 - neither have 1 Kings 17:4 - I have commanded 2 Kings 3:17 - that ye may Ezekiel 37:4 - Prophesy Matthew 8:8 - but

Verse 9

Numbers 17:10

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:20 - the rod of God Exodus 17:6 - and thou

Verse 10

Deuteronomy 9:24, Psalms 106:32, Psalms 106:33, Matthew 5:22, Luke 9:54, Luke 9:55, Acts 23:3-5, Ephesians 4:26, James 3:2

we fetch: Numbers 11:22, Numbers 11:23, Genesis 40:8, Genesis 41:16, Daniel 2:28-30, Acts 3:12-16, Acts 14:9-15, Romans 15:17-19, 1 Corinthians 3:7

Reciprocal: Numbers 11:10 - Moses Numbers 12:3 - above Ezekiel 2:3 - rebelled Ezekiel 2:8 - Be 1 Corinthians 13:5 - is not Galatians 6:1 - overtaken Hebrews 5:2 - is compassed

Verse 11

smote: Numbers 20:8, Leviticus 10:1, 1 Samuel 15:13, 1 Samuel 15:14, 1 Samuel 15:19, 1 Samuel 15:24, 1 Kings 13:21-24, 1 Chronicles 13:9, 1 Chronicles 13:10, 1 Chronicles 15:2, 1 Chronicles 15:13, Matthew 28:20, James 1:20

the water: Exodus 17:6, Deuteronomy 8:15, Hosea 13:5, 1 Corinthians 10:4

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:50 - the tabernacle Numbers 20:24 - because ye Deuteronomy 32:51 - ye trespassed Psalms 74:15 - cleave Psalms 78:15 - General Psalms 78:20 - he smote Psalms 105:41 - opened Psalms 106:33 - Because Psalms 114:8 - General Isaiah 35:6 - for Isaiah 43:19 - rivers Isaiah 48:21 - he caused Jonah 4:4 - Doest thou well to be angry Habakkuk 3:9 - Thou Hebrews 2:2 - every

Verse 12

Because ye believed: Numbers 11:21, Numbers 11:22, 2 Chronicles 20:20, Isaiah 7:9, Matthew 17:17, Matthew 17:20, Luke 1:20, Luke 1:45, Romans 4:20

sanctify: Numbers 27:14, Leviticus 10:3, Deuteronomy 1:37, Deuteronomy 32:51, Isaiah 8:13, Ezekiel 20:41, Ezekiel 36:23, Ezekiel 38:10, 1 Peter 3:15

ye shall: Numbers 20:24, Numbers 11:15, Deuteronomy 3:23-26, Deuteronomy 32:49, Deuteronomy 32:50, Deuteronomy 34:4, Joshua 1:2, John 1:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 16:28 - General Deuteronomy 4:21 - General Deuteronomy 31:2 - Thou shalt not 1 Kings 13:21 - thou hast disobeyed 2 Kings 7:20 - General 1 Chronicles 21:10 - that I may Job 35:15 - because Psalms 99:8 - though Psalms 106:32 - so that Jonah 4:4 - Doest thou well to be angry 1 Corinthians 11:30 - many Galatians 2:11 - because Hebrews 2:2 - every Hebrews 3:18 - but Hebrews 11:6 - without James 1:20 - General

Verse 13

the water: Deuteronomy 33:8, Psalms 95:8, Psalms 106:32-48

Meribah: i.e. Strife, Exodus 17:7, Deuteronomy 32:51, Meribah-Kadesh

he was: Isaiah 5:16, Ezekiel 20:41, Ezekiel 36:23, Ezekiel 38:16

Reciprocal: Numbers 27:14 - Meribah Deuteronomy 6:16 - tempted him Psalms 81:7 - proved Isaiah 8:13 - Sanctify Ezekiel 47:19 - strife Ezekiel 48:28 - strife in Kadesh

Verse 14

Moses: Judges 11:16, Judges 11:17

thy brother: Genesis 32:3, Genesis 32:4, Deuteronomy 2:4-25, Deuteronomy 23:7, Obadiah 1:10-12, Malachi 1:2

befallen us: Heb. found us, Exodus 18:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 25:23 - two manner Genesis 25:30 - Edom Genesis 36:1 - General Genesis 36:31 - the kings Genesis 36:43 - the dukes Exodus 15:15 - dukes Numbers 20:22 - Kadesh Numbers 21:21 - General Deuteronomy 32:51 - General Judges 11:12 - sent messengers 2 Kings 9:21 - met Jeremiah 49:7 - Edom Amos 1:11 - because

Verse 15

our fathers: Genesis 46:6, Acts 7:15

dwelt: Genesis 15:13, Exodus 12:40

vexed us: Numbers 11:5, Numbers 16:13, Exodus 1:11-14, Exodus 1:16, Exodus 1:22, Exodus 5:14, Deuteronomy 26:6, Acts 7:19

Reciprocal: Exodus 1:14 - their lives 1 Samuel 12:8 - Jacob 2 Samuel 12:18 - seventh day

Verse 16

we cried: Exodus 2:23, Exodus 2:24, Exodus 3:7-9, Exodus 6:5, Exodus 14:10

sent an: Exodus 3:2-6, Exodus 14:19, Exodus 23:20, Exodus 33:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 20:1 - Kadesh Exodus 12:17 - in this selfsame Exodus 32:34 - mine Angel Numbers 13:26 - Kadesh Numbers 20:1 - Kadesh Numbers 20:22 - Kadesh Judges 11:17 - abode Daniel 6:22 - hath sent Acts 7:35 - by

Verse 17

Numbers 21:1, Numbers 21:22-24, Deuteronomy 2:1-4, Deuteronomy 2:27, Deuteronomy 2:29

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:49 - that I Genesis 27:39 - the fatness Deuteronomy 1:2 - by the way 2 Samuel 14:19 - turn 2 Chronicles 20:10 - whom thou

Verse 18

Reciprocal: Numbers 20:20 - Thou shalt Numbers 21:4 - compass Deuteronomy 2:29 - As the children

Verse 19

Deuteronomy 2:6, Deuteronomy 2:28

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 20:13 - the highway

Verse 20

Thou shalt: Numbers 20:18, Genesis 27:41, Genesis 32:6, Judges 11:17, Judges 11:20, Psalms 120:7, Ezekiel 35:5-11, Amos 1:11

And Edom: Obadiah 1:10-15

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 2:8 - And when Judges 20:14 - General

Verse 21

refused: Deuteronomy 2:27, Deuteronomy 2:29

wherefore: Deuteronomy 2:4-8, Deuteronomy 23:7, Judges 11:18, Judges 11:24

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 2:8 - And when

Verse 22

Kadesh: Numbers 20:1, Numbers 20:14, Numbers 20:16, Numbers 13:26, Numbers 33:36, Numbers 33:37, Ezekiel 47:19, Ezekiel 48:28

mount Hor: Mount Hor was situated in Arabia Petrea, on the confines of Edom. It is described by Burckhardt, as being situated on the western side of a valley called Wady Mousa; in which are found the ruins of the ancient Petra, and which is two long days' journey north-east of Accaba - on the northern point of the Elanitic gulf of the Red sea in the Djebel Shera, or mount Seir, and on the east side of the Araba, the valley which forms the continuation of that of the Jordan. On the summit of the mountain is the tomb of Haroun, or Aaron, which is held in great veneration by the Arabs; which agrees with the testimonies of Josephus, Eusebius, and Jerome, all persons well acquainted with these countries, who agree in proving that the sepulchre of Aaron, in mount Hor, was near Petra. When visited by Mr. Legh, it was attended by a crippled Arab hermit, about 80 years of age, who conducted them into a small white building, crowned by a cupola, that contains the tomb of Aaron. The monument is of stone, about three feet high; and round the chamber where it stood were suspended beads, etc., the votive offerings of the devotees. Numbers 21:4, Numbers 33:37, Numbers 33:38, Numbers 34:7

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 1:46 - General Deuteronomy 11:29 - General Judges 11:18 - went

Verse 23

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:4 - mount Hor Numbers 33:37 - Kadesh Deuteronomy 10:6 - there Aaron Psalms 106:32 - so that

Verse 24

gathered: Numbers 27:13, Numbers 31:2, Genesis 15:15, Genesis 25:8, Genesis 25:17, Genesis 35:29, Genesis 49:29, Genesis 49:33, Deuteronomy 32:50, Judges 2:10, 2 Chronicles 34:28

because ye: Numbers 20:11, Numbers 20:12

word: Heb. mouth, Numbers 4:27, *marg. Deuteronomy 32:50

Reciprocal: Numbers 27:14 - Meribah Numbers 33:38 - General Deuteronomy 32:51 - ye trespassed 1 Kings 13:21 - thou hast disobeyed Psalms 81:7 - proved Psalms 99:8 - though Psalms 106:32 - so that Ecclesiastes 3:2 - and a time Ezekiel 2:8 - Be Jonah 4:4 - Doest thou well to be angry 1 Corinthians 11:30 - many Ephesians 4:26 - ye

Verse 25

Numbers 33:38, Numbers 33:39

Reciprocal: Exodus 6:23 - Nadab Numbers 3:32 - General Ezra 7:5 - Eleazar

Verse 26

Exodus 29:29, Exodus 29:30, Isaiah 22:21, Isaiah 22:22, Hebrews 7:11, Hebrews 7:23, Hebrews 7:24

Reciprocal: Exodus 28:2 - holy garments Leviticus 16:32 - to minister Numbers 20:28 - Moses Joshua 24:33 - Eleazar 1 Chronicles 6:50 - Eleazar

Verse 27

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:4 - mount Hor

Verse 28

Moses: Numbers 20:26, Numbers 33:38-49, Exodus 29:29, Exodus 29:30

put them: Numbers 27:16-23, Deuteronomy 31:7, Deuteronomy 31:8, Deuteronomy 34:9, 1 Chronicles 22:11, 1 Chronicles 22:12, 1 Chronicles 22:17, 1 Chronicles 28:5-9, Acts 20:25-29, 2 Peter 1:15

died there: Numbers 33:38, Numbers 33:39, Deuteronomy 10:6, Deuteronomy 32:49, Deuteronomy 32:50, Deuteronomy 34:5, Hebrews 7:24, Hebrews 7:25

Reciprocal: Numbers 20:1 - Then

Verse 29

Genesis 1:10, Deuteronomy 34:8, 2 Chronicles 35:24, 2 Chronicles 35:25, Acts 8:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:2 - mourn Genesis 50:3 - threescore 1 Samuel 25:1 - lamented 1 Kings 14:13 - shall mourn 2 Chronicles 32:33 - did him