They offered a price for water and passage, but Edom said no—showing that even good intentions do not guarantee peaceful accord.
“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 else.’” (Numbers 20:19)
In this passage, the Israelites, led by Moses, are attempting to negotiate safe passage through the territory of Edom during their wilderness journey near the end of their forty-year exile from Egypt. By saying, “We will go up by the highway” (v.19), they seek a direct, clearly marked road to reduce conflict or complications. The sons of Israel offer to pay for any water consumed, demonstrating their desire to maintain peace and avoid strife. This willingness to purchase resources underscores their humility and recognition that Edom was not obligated to grant them passage. Edom, a land inhabited by the descendants of Esau, was located south of the Dead Sea; bordering mountains like Mount Hor stood as defining landmarks of this region (Numbers 20:23).
The broader context of Numbers 20 reveals the challenges Israel faced: Just prior to this negotiation, Moses disobeyed the LORD’s instruction by striking the rock instead of speaking to it, but the people nevertheless received water (Numbers 20:8-11). Next, wanting to continue toward Canaan, they understandably sought the most efficient route. The polite tone in “if I and my livestock do drink any of your water, then I will pay its price” (v.19) shows how the Israelites attempted to prevent confrontation by offering compensation for something as basic as water. However, Edom refused, forcing Israel to detour around the region rather than risk aggression.
This episode foreshadows how God sometimes allows roadblocks or refusals despite His ultimate plan to deliver His people. Israel’s humble entreaty and its rejection illustrate both the tensions between neighboring nations and the call for believers to pursue peaceful solutions where possible (Matthew 5:9). Ultimately, this negotiation was a test of Israel’s trust in God’s leading, even when immediate cooperation was denied.
Set to dark mode
Numbers 20:19 meaning
“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 else.’” (Numbers 20:19)
In this passage, the Israelites, led by Moses, are attempting to negotiate safe passage through the territory of Edom during their wilderness journey near the end of their forty-year exile from Egypt. By saying, “We will go up by the highway” (v.19), they seek a direct, clearly marked road to reduce conflict or complications. The sons of Israel offer to pay for any water consumed, demonstrating their desire to maintain peace and avoid strife. This willingness to purchase resources underscores their humility and recognition that Edom was not obligated to grant them passage. Edom, a land inhabited by the descendants of Esau, was located south of the Dead Sea; bordering mountains like Mount Hor stood as defining landmarks of this region (Numbers 20:23).
The broader context of Numbers 20 reveals the challenges Israel faced: Just prior to this negotiation, Moses disobeyed the LORD’s instruction by striking the rock instead of speaking to it, but the people nevertheless received water (Numbers 20:8-11). Next, wanting to continue toward Canaan, they understandably sought the most efficient route. The polite tone in “if I and my livestock do drink any of your water, then I will pay its price” (v.19) shows how the Israelites attempted to prevent confrontation by offering compensation for something as basic as water. However, Edom refused, forcing Israel to detour around the region rather than risk aggression.
This episode foreshadows how God sometimes allows roadblocks or refusals despite His ultimate plan to deliver His people. Israel’s humble entreaty and its rejection illustrate both the tensions between neighboring nations and the call for believers to pursue peaceful solutions where possible (Matthew 5:9). Ultimately, this negotiation was a test of Israel’s trust in God’s leading, even when immediate cooperation was denied.