20 And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.
English Standard Version
20 But he said, "You shall not pass through." And Edom came out against them with a large army and with a strong force.
The Message
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.
New King James Version
20 Then he said, "You shall not pass through." So Edom came out against them with many men and with a strong hand.
New Living Translation
20 But the king of Edom replied, "Stay out! You may not pass through our land." With that he mobilized his army and marched out against them with an imposing force.
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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 20:20
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.