Topical Bible: Israel: are Refused Passage Through the Country of: Edom

◄ Israel: are Refused Passage Through the Country of: Edom ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, the refusal of passage through Edom is a significant event during the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. This episode is recorded in the Book of Numbers and highlights the challenges faced by the Israelites as they navigated through hostile territories.

Biblical Account

The account of Israel's request to pass through Edom is found in Numbers 20:14-21. As the Israelites approached the land of Edom, Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom with a peaceful request. The message, delivered from Kadesh, appealed to the shared ancestry between Israel and Edom, as both nations descended from Isaac—Israel through Jacob and Edom through Esau.

Moses' message, as recorded in Numbers 20:17 , was conciliatory: "Please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through any field or vineyard, nor will we 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."

Despite this peaceful overture, the king of Edom refused passage, responding with a threat of military action: "You shall not pass through, or we will march out against you with the sword" (Numbers 20:18). The Israelites reiterated their promise to avoid any disruption, even offering to pay for any water consumed. However, Edom remained adamant, mobilizing a large and powerful force to block Israel's path.

Historical and Theological Context

Edom's refusal is rooted in the longstanding enmity between the descendants of Jacob and Esau. This animosity is traced back to the Genesis account of the brothers' contentious relationship and Esau's forfeiture of his birthright. The refusal of passage is emblematic of the broader hostilities that characterized the interactions between these two nations throughout biblical history.

From a theological perspective, Edom's refusal can be seen as a test of faith and reliance on God for the Israelites. Despite the setback, the Israelites were guided by divine providence, which ultimately led them to the Promised Land. This event underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and faithfulness in guiding His people, even when human alliances fail.

Implications for Israel

The refusal by Edom forced the Israelites to take a longer and more arduous route around Edom, as detailed in Numbers 21. This detour was not without its own challenges, including encounters with hostile forces and the need for continued reliance on God's provision and protection.

The incident also served as a reminder of the complex relationships between Israel and its neighbors, relationships that were often fraught with tension and conflict. The refusal of passage through Edom is a poignant example of the obstacles Israel faced and the perseverance required to fulfill God's promises.

Conclusion

The refusal of passage through Edom is a pivotal moment in the Israelites' wilderness journey, reflecting both the historical enmity between Israel and Edom and the broader themes of faith and divine guidance. This episode is a testament to the challenges faced by God's people and the enduring nature of His promises.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 20:14-21
And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, Thus said your brother Israel, You know all the travail that has befallen us:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

From Kadesh to the Death of Moses.
... of wandering was nearly at an end, Israel is again ... When they were refused passage
through the land of the Edomites ... and the laying waste of his country to Hormah ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter vii from kadesh to.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... It was a king who refused a passage through his dominions to Moses and his ... It seems
to be brought down to the time when Saul was elected king over Israel. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Israelites
... In the fastness of 'Ain Qadis the forces of Israel grew and matured, and a long
series of legislative ... The Edomites refused them a passage along the high ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

Of the Sixth Seal.
... Gratian first refused the title, as well as the ... Indeed, the whole passage being from
the thirty-fourth chapter ... land, or of the people of Israel, whom Antiochus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the sixth seal.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... associated with it in another passage of the ... offered no resistance, but nevertheless
refused to acknowledge ... of Hamath and masters of half Israel, were powerful ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... Hebron, where the rugged nature of the country served to ... into the Biblical around
text through a misconception ... tradition in the kingdom of Israel, the latter ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... reorganise the provinces of Philistia and Israel, and received ... was offered to him,
but he refused to accept ... the two towers through a vaulted passage over fifty ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... the close of Ahab's reign Mesha refused to continue ... all the land of Medeba, and Israel
occupied it ... Another translation of the passage has been proposed: "Omri ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... said to have, in the first instance, refused the crown ... desert, forming as it were
a narrow passage, into which ... by raids in which the children of Israel did not ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... of a spiteful tongue." [2906] This passage of scripture ... precept, "Keep silence and
hearken, O Israel." [2995] The ... of modesty I at first refused compliance, but ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm