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Numbers 20:14-21
New International Version
Numbers 20:14-21
New International Version
Edom Denies Israel Passage
14 Moses sent messengers from Kadesh(A) to the king of Edom,(B) saying:
“This is what your brother Israel says: You know(C) about all the hardships(D) that have come on us. 15 Our ancestors went down into Egypt,(E) and we lived there many years.(F) The Egyptians mistreated(G) us and our ancestors, 16 but when we cried out to the Lord, he heard our cry(H) and sent an angel(I) and brought us out of Egypt.(J)
“Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory.(K) 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.(L)”
18 But Edom(M) answered:
“You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword.(N)”
19 The Israelites replied:
“We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock(O) drink any of your water, we will pay for it.(P) We only want to pass through on foot—nothing else.”
20 Again they answered:
“You may not pass through.(Q)”
Then Edom(R) came out against them with a large and powerful army. 21 Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory,(S) Israel turned away from them.(T)
Numbers 20:14-21
International Standard Version
Numbers 20:14-21
International Standard Version
The Israelis Approach Edom
14 Later, Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom with this message: “This is what your relative Israel says: ‘You know all the hardships we’ve encountered.[a] 15 Our ancestors went down to Egypt, where we lived for many[b] years. But the Egyptians treated us and our ancestors viciously. 16 Then we cried to the Lord and he heard our voice, sending us a messenger who brought us out of Egypt. Now look! We’ve arrived in Kadesh, a city at the extreme end of your territory. 17 Permit us now to pass through your land. We won’t pass through your fields or vineyards, and we won’t drink water[c] from your wells. We’ll keep to the King’s Highway without turning either right or left until we have passed through your territory.’”
18 But Edom replied, “You are not to pass through my land.[d] If you do, I’ll come out and start a war with you.”
19 Then the Israelis replied, “Permit us to travel on the highway. If we and our cattle drink your water, we’ll pay the price you ask. Only please let us walk through, and nothing more.”[e]
20 But still he replied, “No. You’re not to pass through.” Then Edom went out to meet Moses with a vast army and a lot of military might.[f] 21 That’s how Edom refused Israel passage through their territory. So Israel turned away from there.[g]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Numbers 20:14 Lit. hardships that found us
- Numbers 20:15 The Heb. lacks many
- Numbers 20:17 Lit. waters
- Numbers 20:18 Lit. through me
- Numbers 20:19 Lit. through without anything
- Numbers 20:20 Lit. a mighty hand
- Numbers 20:21 Lit. him
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
International Standard Version (ISV) 
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