磐石出水

20 一月,以色列全体会众抵达荀旷野,在加低斯安营。米利暗离世,葬在那里。 会众没有水喝,就聚集起来反对摩西和亚伦, 他们埋怨说:“还不如当初跟我们的弟兄一起死在耶和华面前! 你们为什么领耶和华的会众到这旷野来,要叫我们和牲畜都死在这里吗? 你们为什么把我们领出埃及,带到这不毛之地?这里没有五谷、无花果树、葡萄树和石榴树,甚至没有水喝。” 摩西和亚伦离开会众到会幕门口,俯伏在地。耶和华的荣光向他们显现。 耶和华对摩西说: “你拿着杖和你哥哥亚伦招聚会众,当着他们的面吩咐磐石流出水来,水就会从磐石流出,供会众和牲畜喝。” 摩西遵命而行,从耶和华面前取了杖, 10 然后和亚伦把会众招聚到磐石前,说:“你们这些叛逆之徒听着,非要我们叫磐石给你们流出水来吗?” 11 接着,摩西举起手中的杖击打磐石两下,水便喷涌而出,会众和牲畜都喝了。

12 耶和华对摩西和亚伦说:“你们对我没有足够的信心,没有当着以色列人的面尊我为圣,所以你们不得带领会众进入我将要赐给他们的土地。” 13 这地方叫米利巴泉,因为以色列人在那里埋怨耶和华,耶和华就向他们彰显了祂的圣洁。

以东王不借路

14 摩西从加低斯派使者去见以东王,说:“你的弟兄以色列人说,你知道我们遭遇的种种困难。 15 我们祖先到埃及寄居多年,我们世代受埃及人虐待。 16 但我们呼求耶和华,祂就垂听了我们的声音,差遣天使把我们领出埃及。现在我们来到你边境的加低斯城, 17 求你容我们借道贵国。我们不会踏入田地和葡萄园,也不会喝井里的水,只走大路,不会偏离,直到走出贵国。” 18 以东王却说:“你们不可从我这里经过,否则我必兵戎相见。” 19 以色列人说:“我们只走大路,倘若我们和牲畜喝了你的水,我们会付钱。我们别无他求,只求步行穿过贵国。” 20 但以东王仍然不准,还率领大军严阵以待。 21 由于无法从以东穿过,以色列人只好绕道。

亚伦离世

22 以色列全体会众从加低斯出发,来到何珥山。 23 耶和华在位于以东边界的何珥山对摩西和亚伦说: 24 “亚伦要去他祖先那里了,他不能进入我赐给以色列人的土地,因为你们在米利巴泉违背了我的命令。 25 摩西啊,你要带亚伦和他儿子以利亚撒上何珥山, 26 把亚伦的圣衣脱下来给他儿子以利亚撒穿上,因为亚伦将死在那里。” 27 摩西遵命而行。他们三人就当着全体会众的面上了何珥山。 28 摩西把亚伦的圣衣脱下,给以利亚撒穿上。随后亚伦在山顶离世。摩西和以利亚撒便下了山。 29 以色列全体会众得知亚伦离世,就为他哀悼了三十天。

Water From the Rock

20 In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin,(A) and they stayed at Kadesh.(B) There Miriam(C) died and was buried.

Now there was no water(D) for the community,(E) and the people gathered in opposition(F) to Moses and Aaron. They quarreled(G) with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead(H) before the Lord!(I) Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness,(J) that we and our livestock should die here?(K) Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates.(L) And there is no water to drink!(M)

Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting(N) and fell facedown,(O) and the glory of the Lord(P) appeared to them. The Lord said to Moses, “Take the staff,(Q) and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water.(R) You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”

So Moses took the staff(S) from the Lord’s presence,(T) just as he commanded him. 10 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together(U) in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?”(V) 11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water(W) gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy(X) in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”(Y)

13 These were the waters of Meribah,[a](Z) where the Israelites quarreled(AA) with the Lord and where he was proved holy among them.(AB)

Edom Denies Israel Passage

14 Moses sent messengers from Kadesh(AC) to the king of Edom,(AD) saying:

“This is what your brother Israel says: You know(AE) about all the hardships(AF) that have come on us. 15 Our ancestors went down into Egypt,(AG) and we lived there many years.(AH) The Egyptians mistreated(AI) us and our ancestors, 16 but when we cried out to the Lord, he heard our cry(AJ) and sent an angel(AK) and brought us out of Egypt.(AL)

“Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory.(AM) 17 Please let us pass through your country. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the King’s Highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.(AN)

18 But Edom(AO) answered:

“You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword.(AP)

19 The Israelites replied:

“We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock(AQ) drink any of your water, we will pay for it.(AR) We only want to pass through on foot—nothing else.”

20 Again they answered:

“You may not pass through.(AS)

Then Edom(AT) came out against them with a large and powerful army. 21 Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory,(AU) Israel turned away from them.(AV)

The Death of Aaron

22 The whole Israelite community set out from Kadesh(AW) and came to Mount Hor.(AX) 23 At Mount Hor, near the border of Edom,(AY) the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 24 “Aaron will be gathered to his people.(AZ) He will not enter the land I give the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against my command(BA) at the waters of Meribah.(BB) 25 Get Aaron and his son Eleazar and take them up Mount Hor.(BC) 26 Remove Aaron’s garments(BD) and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people;(BE) he will die there.”

27 Moses did as the Lord commanded: They went up Mount Hor(BF) in the sight of the whole community. 28 Moses removed Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar.(BG) And Aaron died there(BH) on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain, 29 and when the whole community learned that Aaron had died,(BI) all the Israelites mourned for him(BJ) thirty days.

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 20:13 Meribah means quarreling.

20 Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.

And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.

And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord!

And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?

And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.

And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto them.

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

And Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as he commanded him.

10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?

11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

12 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

13 This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the Lord, and he was sanctified in them.

14 And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:

15 How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:

16 And when we cried unto the Lord, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border:

17 Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go by the king's high way, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy borders.

18 And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.

19 And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing anything else, go through on my feet.

20 And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.

21 Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.

22 And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came unto mount Hor.

23 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,

24 Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.

25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor:

26 And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there.

27 And Moses did as the Lord commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.

28 And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount.

29 And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel.

Moses’ Error at Kadesh(A)

20 Then(B) the children of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the Wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in (C)Kadesh; and (D)Miriam died there and was buried there.

(E)Now there was no water for the congregation; (F)so they gathered together against Moses and Aaron. And the people (G)contended with Moses and spoke, saying: “If only we had died (H)when our brethren died before the Lord! (I)Why have you brought up the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we and our animals should die here? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt, to bring us to this evil place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates; nor is there any water to drink.” So Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and (J)they [a]fell on their faces. And (K)the glory of the Lord appeared to them.

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, (L)“Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus (M)you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” So Moses took the rod (N)from before the Lord as He commanded him.

10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, (O)“Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” 11 Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; (P)and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.

12 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because (Q)you did not believe Me, to (R)hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”

13 (S)This was the water of [b]Meribah, because the children of Israel contended with the Lord, and He was hallowed among them.

Passage Through Edom Refused

14 (T)Now Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of (U)Edom. (V)“Thus says your brother Israel: ‘You know all the hardship that has befallen us, 15 (W)how our fathers went down to Egypt, (X)and we dwelt in Egypt a long time, (Y)and the Egyptians [c]afflicted us and our fathers. 16 (Z)When we cried out to the Lord, He heard our voice and (AA)sent the Angel and brought us up out of Egypt; now here we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your border. 17 Please (AB)let us pass through your country. We will not pass through fields or vineyards, nor will we drink water from wells; we will go along the King’s Highway; we will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed through your territory.’ ”

18 Then (AC)Edom said to him, “You shall not pass through my land, lest I come out against you with the sword.”

19 So the children of Israel said to him, “We will go by the Highway, and if I or my livestock drink any of your water, (AD)then I will pay for it; let me only pass through on foot, nothing more.

20 Then he said, (AE)“You shall not pass through.” So Edom came out against them with many men and with a strong hand. 21 Thus Edom (AF)refused to give Israel passage through his territory; so Israel (AG)turned away from him.

Death of Aaron

22 Now the children of Israel, the whole congregation, journeyed from (AH)Kadesh (AI)and came to Mount Hor. 23 And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom, saying: 24 “Aaron shall [d]be (AJ)gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against My word at the water of Meribah. 25 (AK)Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor; 26 and strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; for Aaron shall be gathered to his people and die there.” 27 So Moses did just as the Lord commanded, and they went up to Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation. 28 (AL)Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; and (AM)Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. 29 Now when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, all the house of Israel mourned for Aaron (AN)thirty days.

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 20:6 prostrated themselves
  2. Numbers 20:13 Lit. Contention
  3. Numbers 20:15 did evil to
  4. Numbers 20:24 Die and join his ancestors