Numbers 20:1-21 ▼

1 In the first month, the whole congregation of Israel (he wrestles with God) entered the Wilderness of Zin (flat) and stayed in Kadesh (holy). There Miriam (rebellion) died and was buried.

2 Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer).

3 The people quarreled with Moses (drawn out) and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD {YHWH}!

4 Why have you⁺ brought the LORD’s {YHWH} assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here?

5 Why have you⁺ led us up out of Egypt (land of bondage) to bring us to this wretched place? It is not a place of grain, figs, vines, or pomegranates—and there is no water to drink!”

6 Then Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer) went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. They fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD {YHWH} appeared to them.

7 And the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out),

8 “Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron (light bringer) are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.”

9 So Moses (drawn out) took the staff from the LORD’s {YHWH} presence, just as he had been commanded.

10 Then Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer) gathered the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen now, you⁺ rebels, must we bring you⁺ water out of this rock?”

11 Then Moses (drawn out) raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink.

12 But the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer), “Because you⁺ did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites (God prevails), you⁺ will not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”

13 These were the waters of Meribah (quarreling), where the Israelites (God prevails) quarreled with the LORD {YHWH}, and He showed His holiness among them.

14 From Kadesh (holy), Moses (drawn out) sent messengers to tell the king of Edom (red), “This is what your brother Israel (he wrestles with God) says: You know all the hardship that has befallen us,

15 how our fathers went down to Egypt (land of bondage), where we lived many years. The Egyptians (double straits) mistreated us and our fathers,

16 and when we cried out to the LORD {YHWH}, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt (land of bondage). Now look, we are in Kadesh (holy), a city on the edge of your territory.

17 Please let us pass through your land. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway; we will not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.”

18 But Edom (red) answered, “You may not travel through our land, or we will come out and confront you with the sword.”

19 “We will stay on the main road,” the Israelites (God prevails) replied, “and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay for it. There will be no problem; only let us pass through on foot.”

20 But Edom (red) insisted, “You may not pass through.” And they came out to confront the Israelites with a large army and a strong hand.

21 So Edom (red) refused to allow Israel (he wrestles with God) to pass through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.