14 From Kadesh Moses then sent messengers to the king of Edom : "Thus your brother Israel has said , 'You know all the hardship that has befallen us; 15 that our fathers went down to Egypt , and we stayed in Egypt a long time , and the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly . 16 'But when we cried out to the Lord , He heard our voice and sent an angel and brought us out from Egypt ; now behold , we are at Kadesh , a town on the edge of your territory . 17 'Please let us pass through your land . We will not pass through field or through vineyard ; we will not even drink water from a well . We will go along the king's highway , not turning to the right or left , until e we pass through your territory .' " 18 Edom , however, said to him, "You shall not pass through us, or I will come out with the sword against you." 19 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 e else." 20 But he said , " You shall not pass through ." And Edom came out against him with a heavy force and with a strong hand . 21 Thus Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory ; so Israel turned away from him.
22 Now when they set out from Kadesh , the sons of Israel , the whole congregation , came to Mount Hor . 23 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom , saying , 24 "Aaron will be gathered to his people ; for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the sons of Israel , because e you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah . 25 "Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up to Mount Hor ; 26 and strip Aaron of his garments and put them on his son Eleazar . So Aaron will be gathered to his people, and will die there ." 27 So Moses did just as the Lord had commanded , and they went up to Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation . 28 After Moses had stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on his son Eleazar , Aaron died there on the mountain top . Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain . 29 When all the congregation saw that Aaron had died , all the house of Israel wept for Aaron thirty days .
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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?