Numbers 20:19 - The children of Israel said to him, “We will go up by the highway; and if we drink your water, I and my livestock, then I will give its price. Only let me, without doing anything else, pass through on my feet.”
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What does "Numbers 20:19" mean?
This verse from Numbers 20:19 is part of a longer narrative about the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. It describes a polite, albeit ultimately unsuccessful, request made by the Israelites to the king of Edom for permission to pass through his land. Let's break down the meaning:
"The children of Israel said to him...": This refers to the Israelites, the descendants of Jacob (Israel), who were wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. They are speaking to the king of Edom, whose kingdom bordered the land they needed to traverse to reach Canaan.
"We will go up by the highway...": The Israelites are promising to stick to the main road, likely the King's Highway, a well-established trade route. This shows they intended to be respectful and avoid causing trouble or trespassing on private property.
"...and if we drink your water, I and my livestock, then I will give its price...": This is a key element of their request. Water was a precious and scarce resource in the desert. The Israelites are offering to pay for any water they and their animals consume, demonstrating their willingness to compensate the Edomites for using their resources.
"Only let me, without doing anything else, pass through on my feet.": This is the core of their request. They are asking for simple passage through Edom's territory, promising to cause no other disturbance. The phrase "without doing anything else" emphasizes their intention to avoid conflict or any other imposition.
In essence, the Israelites are making a straightforward, respectful, and economically sound proposal to the Edomites:
They will use the main road.
They will pay for any water consumed.
They only want to pass through and will cause no other trouble.
Significance:
The verse highlights a diplomatic attempt by the Israelites to peacefully navigate through Edom. Their willingness to pay for resources and stick to established routes demonstrates a desire to avoid conflict. However, the king of Edom refuses their request, which has significant consequences for the Israelites' journey and sets the stage for further challenges and detours. The refusal also underscores the historical tensions and rivalries between the Israelites and the Edomites, who were descended from Esau, Jacob's brother.
Numbers 20:19 - The children of Israel said to him, “We will go up by the highway; and if we drink your water, I and my livestock, then I will give its price. Only let me, without doing anything else, pass through on my feet.”
What does "Numbers 20:19" mean?
This verse from Numbers 20:19 is part of a longer narrative about the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. It describes a polite, albeit ultimately unsuccessful, request made by the Israelites to the king of Edom for permission to pass through his land. Let's break down the meaning:
"The children of Israel said to him...": This refers to the Israelites, the descendants of Jacob (Israel), who were wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. They are speaking to the king of Edom, whose kingdom bordered the land they needed to traverse to reach Canaan.
"We will go up by the highway...": The Israelites are promising to stick to the main road, likely the King's Highway, a well-established trade route. This shows they intended to be respectful and avoid causing trouble or trespassing on private property.
"...and if we drink your water, I and my livestock, then I will give its price...": This is a key element of their request. Water was a precious and scarce resource in the desert. The Israelites are offering to pay for any water they and their animals consume, demonstrating their willingness to compensate the Edomites for using their resources.
"Only let me, without doing anything else, pass through on my feet.": This is the core of their request. They are asking for simple passage through Edom's territory, promising to cause no other disturbance. The phrase "without doing anything else" emphasizes their intention to avoid conflict or any other imposition.
In essence, the Israelites are making a straightforward, respectful, and economically sound proposal to the Edomites:
They will use the main road.
They will pay for any water consumed.
They only want to pass through and will cause no other trouble.
Significance:
The verse highlights a diplomatic attempt by the Israelites to peacefully navigate through Edom. Their willingness to pay for resources and stick to established routes demonstrates a desire to avoid conflict. However, the king of Edom refuses their request, which has significant consequences for the Israelites' journey and sets the stage for further challenges and detours. The refusal also underscores the historical tensions and rivalries between the Israelites and the Edomites, who were descended from Esau, Jacob's brother.