14 From Kadesh Moses then sent messengers to the king of Edom : "Thus your brother Israel has said , 'You know all the hardship that has befallen us; 15 that our fathers went down to Egypt , and we stayed in Egypt a long time , and the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly . 16 'But when we cried out to the Lord , He heard our voice and sent an angel and brought us out from Egypt ; now behold , we are at Kadesh , a town on the edge of your territory . 17 'Please let us pass through your land . We will not pass through field or through vineyard ; we will not even drink water from a well . We will go along the king's highway , not turning to the right or left , until e we pass through your territory .' " 18 Edom , however, said to him, "You shall not pass through us, or I will come out with the sword against you." 19 Again, the sons of Israel said to him, "We will go up by the highway , and if I and my livestock do drink any of your water , then I will pay its price . Let me only pass through on my feet , nothing e else." 20 But he said , " You shall not pass through ." And Edom came out against him with a heavy force and with a strong hand . 21 Thus Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory ; so Israel turned away from him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 20:14-21
Commentary on Numbers 20:14-21
(Read Numbers 20:14-21)
The nearest way to Canaan from the place where Israel encamped, was through the country of Edom. The ambassadors who were sent returned with a denial. The Edomites feared to receive damage by the Israelites. And had this numerous army been under any other discipline than that of the righteous God himself, there might have been cause for this jealousy. But Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing; and now the hatred revived, when the blessing was about to be inherited. We must not think it strange, if reasonable requests be denied by unreasonable men, and if those whom God favours be affronted by men.