The Meaning of Numbers 20:18 Explained

Numbers 20:18

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

YLT: And Edom saith unto him, 'Thou dost not pass over through me, lest with sword I come out to meet thee.'

Darby: But Edom said to him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.

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

Discover Numbers 20:18

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Numbers 20:18?

MEANING: What does Numbers 20:18 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Numbers 20:18 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Numbers 20:18?

What is the context of Numbers 20:18?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Numbers 20:18 Mean?

Context Summary

Numbers 20:14-28 - Edom Refuses Passage Aaron Dies

It was an ungracious act on the part of the Edomites-descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother-to forbid the passage of the chosen people through their territory; and it was never forgotten. It is referred to again and again in the strongest terms by prophet and psalmist. See Deuteronomy 2:4; Deuteronomy 2:8; Deuteronomy 23:7; Amos 1:11; Obadiah 1:10; Obadiah 1:12; Psalms 137:7.

Aaron's death was arranged so as to give him a distant glimpse of the Land which had so long beckoned him onward. But he was not suffered to continue. His death is quoted in evidence of the imperfection of the Aaronic priesthood, in contrast to the indissoluble priesthood of our Lord, Hebrews 7:16.

This is a sad chapter! Moses' failure, Aaron's and Miriam's death, Edom's refusal! But God's purpose moved steadily on. He wrought for His own sake, because of the Covenant. [source]

Chapter Summary: Numbers 20

¹ The children of Israel come to Zin, where Miriam dies
² They murmur for want of water
⁷ Moses smiting the rock, brings forth water at Meribah
¹⁴ Moses at Kadesh desires passage through Edom, which is denied him
²² At Mount Hor Aaron resigns his place to Eleazar, and dies

What do the individual words in Numbers 20:18 mean?

And said to him Edom not You shall pass through my [land] lest with the sword I come out against you

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ אֱד֔וֹם לֹ֥א תַעֲבֹ֖ר בִּ֑י פֶּן־ בַּחֶ֖רֶב אֵצֵ֥א לִקְרָאתֶֽךָ

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר	And said
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular Root: אָמַר Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אֵלָיו֙	to him
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular Root: אֶל Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
אֱד֔וֹם	Edom
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular Root: אֱדֹום Sense: Edom.
תַעֲבֹ֖ר	You shall pass
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular Root: עָבַר Sense: to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress.
בִּ֑י	through my [land]
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
פֶּן־	lest
Parse: Conjunction Root: פֶּן Sense: lest, not, beware lest adv.
בַּחֶ֖רֶב	with the sword
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, feminine singular Root: חֶרֶב Sense: sword, knife.
אֵצֵ֥א	I come out
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular Root: יׄוצֵאת Sense: to go out, come out, exit, go forth.
לִקְרָאתֶֽךָ	against you
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct, second person masculine singular Root: קָרָא Sense: to encounter, befall, meet.

What are the major concepts related to Numbers 20:18?

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