Numbers 20
Numbers 20 records several major events near the end of Israel’s wilderness period. The chapter begins with Miriam’s death at Kadesh (verse 1), continues with the people’s complaint over the lack of water and the incident at the rock (verses 2–13), records Edom’s refusal to let Israel pass through its territory (verses 14–21), and ends with Aaron’s death and Eleazar’s succession to the priestly role (verses 22–29).
1verseThe children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month. The people stayed in Kadesh. Miriam died there, and was buried there.
2verseThere was no water for the congregation; and they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
3verseThe people quarreled with Moses, and spoke, saying, “We wish that we had died when our brothers died before the LORD!
4verseWhy have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness, that we should die there, we and our animals?
5verseWhy have you made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in to this evil place? It is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.”
6verseMoses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and fell on their faces. The LORD’s glory appeared to them.
7verseThe LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
8verse“Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, you, and Aaron your brother, and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it pour out its water. You shall bring water to them out of the rock; so you shall give the congregation and their livestock drink.”
9verseMoses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.
10verseMoses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Shall we bring water out of this rock for you?”
11verseMoses lifted up his hand, and struck the rock with his rod twice, and water came out abundantly. The congregation and their livestock drank.
12verseThe LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you didn’t believe in me, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”
13verseThese are the waters of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.
14verseMoses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying: “Your brother Israel says: You know all the travail that has happened to us;
15versehow our fathers went down into Egypt, and we lived in Egypt a long time. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers.
16verseWhen we cried to the LORD, he heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the edge of your border.
17verse“Please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or through vineyard, neither will we drink from the water of the wells. We will go along the king’s highway. We will not turn away to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed your border.”
18verseEdom said to him, “You shall not pass through me, lest I come out with the sword against you.”
19verseThe 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.”
20verseHe said, “You shall not pass through.” Edom came out against him with many people, and with a strong hand.
21verseThus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border, so Israel turned away from him.
22verseThey traveled from Kadesh, and the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came to Mount Hor.
23verseThe LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor, by the border of the land of Edom, saying,
24verse“Aaron shall be gathered to his people; for he shall not enter into the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah.
25verseTake Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor;
26verseand strip Aaron of his garments, and put them on Eleazar his son. Aaron shall be gathered, and shall die there.”
27verseMoses did as the LORD commanded. They went up onto Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
28verseMoses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them on Eleazar his son. Aaron died there on the top of the mountain, and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain.
29verseWhen all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they wept for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel.
Summary of Key Events
- The death of Miriam (verse 1): Miriam dies and is buried at Kadesh, marking a significant moment in the passing of the wilderness generation.
- The lack of water and the rock incident (verses 2–13): The people complain because there is no water. God commands Moses to speak to the rock, but Moses strikes it. Water is given, yet Moses and Aaron are told they will not bring the assembly into the promised land because they did not uphold God as holy before the people.
- Edom’s refusal (verses 14–21): Israel asks to pass through Edom peacefully, but Edom refuses and comes out with a strong force, so Israel turns away.
- Aaron’s death and Eleazar’s succession (verses 22–29): Aaron dies on Mount Hor, and his priestly garments are placed on his son Eleazar, symbolizing the continuation of the priestly office.
Reflecting on the Meaning as a Whole
Numbers 20 is a turning point. It shows the grief of loss, the repetition of complaint, God’s continued provision, the seriousness of leadership failure, and the transition from one generation to another. Even when leaders fail and generations pass away, God’s purposes continue.
Meditation Points
- In wilderness-like circumstances, consider whether you respond with trust or with repeated complaint.
- Reflect on the seriousness of representing God faithfully, especially when entrusted with leadership.
- Notice that God’s work continues through transition, loss, and the raising up of new servants.
Applying It to Yourself
- When frustration rises, pause before speaking or acting in anger.
- Carry entrusted responsibilities with humility, especially when others are watching.
- In seasons of transition, seek faithfulness rather than fear.
