14 Moses sent emissaries from Kadesh to the king of Edom with this message: "A message from your brother Israel: You are familiar with all the trouble we've run into. 15 Our ancestors went down to Egypt and lived there a long time. The Egyptians viciously abused both us and our ancestors. 16 But when we cried out for help to God, he heard our cry. He sent an angel and got us out of Egypt. And now here we are at Kadesh, a town at the border of your land. 17 "Will you give us permission to cut across your land? We won't trespass through your fields or orchards and we won't drink out of your wells; we'll keep to the main road, the King's Road, straying neither right nor left until we've crossed your border." 18 The king of Edom answered, "Not on your life. If you so much as set a foot on my land, I'll kill you." 19 The People of Israel said, "Look, we'll stay on the main road. If we or our animals drink any water, we'll pay you for it. We're harmless - just a company of footsore travelers." 20 He answered again: "No. You may not come through." And Edom came out and blocked the way with a crowd of people brandishing weapons. 21 Edom refused to let them cross through his land. So Israel had to detour around him.
22 The People of Israel, the entire company, set out from Kadesh and traveled to Mount Hor. 23 God said to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor at the border of Edom, 24 "It's time for Aaron to be gathered into the company of his ancestors. He will not enter the land I am giving to the People of Israel because you both rebelled against my orders at the Waters of Meribah. 25 So take Aaron and his son Eleazar and lead them up Mount Hor. 26 Remove Aaron's clothes from him and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron will be gathered there; Aaron will die." 27 Moses obeyed God's command. They climbed Mount Hor as the whole congregation watched. 28 Moses took off Aaron's clothes and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron died on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. 29 The whole congregation, getting the news that Aaron had died, went into thirty days of mourning for him.
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Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 20:14-29
Commentary on Numbers 20:14-21
(Read Numbers 20:14-21)
The nearest way to Canaan from the place where Israel encamped, was through the country of Edom. The ambassadors who were sent returned with a denial. The Edomites feared to receive damage by the Israelites. And had this numerous army been under any other discipline than that of the righteous God himself, there might have been cause for this jealousy. But Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing; and now the hatred revived, when the blessing was about to be inherited. We must not think it strange, if reasonable requests be denied by unreasonable men, and if those whom God favours be affronted by men.
Commentary on Numbers 20:22-29
(Read Numbers 20:22-29)
God bids Aaron prepare to die. There is something of displeasure in these orders. Aaron must not enter Canaan, because he had failed in his duty at the waters of strife. There is much of mercy in them. Aaron, though he dies for his transgression, dies with ease, and in honour. He is gathered to his people, as one who dies in the arms of Divine grace. There is much significancy in these orders. Aaron must not enter Canaan, to show that the Levitical priesthood could make nothing perfect; that must be done by bringing in a better hope. Aaron submits, and dies in the method and manner appointed; and, for aught that appears, with as much cheerfulness as if he had been going to bed. It was a great satisfaction to Aaron to see his son, who was dear to him, preferred; and his office preserved and secured: especially, to see in this a figure of Christ's everlasting priesthood. A good man would desire, if it were the will of God, not to outlive his usefulness. Why should we covet to continue any longer in this world, than while we may do some service in it for God and our generation?