Numbers 20:14-21
Summary for Num 20:14-21: 20:14–21:35 a Here the Israelites began their trek toward the Promised Land. Moving from Kadesh, they left the Sinai Peninsula behind and entered the area east of the Jordan (Transjordan), approaching the Promised Land from the east by a less direct point of entry (see 14:25 b; cp. Deut 2:2-6 c).Summary for Num 20:14-21: 20:14-21 d Israel tried unsuccessfully to establish peaceful relations with Edom, with which it had apparently had no dealings since Esau (Edom) and Jacob (Israel) buried their father, Isaac (Gen 35:29 e; 36:6-8 f; cp. Gen 32:28 g). Moses’ appeal resembles the formal diplomatic correspondence of that era. While contacts with the Canaanites and other people groups were marked by hostility, communication with Edom was polite because of kinship ties (cp. Deut 2:4 h; 23:7 i). Those ties, however, were apparently not strong enough to overcome the ancient tension between Jacob and Esau (Gen 27:41 j).
20:17 k We won’t even drink water from your wells: Edom is very dry; food and water were too scarce to provide for this substantial number of Hebrew immigrants.
• We will stay on the king’s road: The “King’s Highway” (also 21:22 l) is well known in the Old Testament, though its exact route is not certain. As its name indicates, this route was maintained for official purposes, including the movement of troops and trade. Along this trail, travelers could find settlements, food, and water between the Red Sea and Damascus. The route remained important into Roman and even modern times. This royal road contrasted with a much less hospitable route farther to the east called the Desert Highway.
Summary for Num 20:18-21: 20:18-21 m Stay out of my land: As their ancestor Esau had distrusted Jacob (Gen 27:36 n), the Edomites now distrusted Jacob’s descendants. So Israel was forced to turn around and find another way to approach Canaan (cp. Deut 2:4-6 o).
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