The Meaning of Numbers 20:20 Explained

Numbers 20:20

KJV: And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.

YLT: And he saith, 'Thou dost not pass over;' and Edom cometh out to meet him with much people, and with a strong hand;

Darby: And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.

ASV: And he said, Thou shalt not pass through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And he said,  Thou shalt not go through.  And Edom  came out  against  him with much  people,  and with a strong  hand. 

What does Numbers 20:20 Mean?

Context Summary

Numbers 20:14-28 - Edom Refuses Passage Aaron Dies
It was an ungracious act on the part of the Edomites-descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother-to forbid the passage of the chosen people through their territory; and it was never forgotten. It is referred to again and again in the strongest terms by prophet and psalmist. See Deuteronomy 2:4; Deuteronomy 2:8; Deuteronomy 23:7; Amos 1:11; Obadiah 1:10; Obadiah 1:12; Psalms 137:7.
Aaron's death was arranged so as to give him a distant glimpse of the Land which had so long beckoned him onward. But he was not suffered to continue. His death is quoted in evidence of the imperfection of the Aaronic priesthood, in contrast to the indissoluble priesthood of our Lord, Hebrews 7:16.
This is a sad chapter! Moses' failure, Aaron's and Miriam's death, Edom's refusal! But God's purpose moved steadily on. He wrought for His own sake, because of the Covenant. [source]

Chapter Summary: Numbers 20

1  The children of Israel come to Zin, where Miriam dies
2  They murmur for want of water
7  Moses smiting the rock, brings forth water at Meribah
14  Moses at Kadesh desires passage through Edom, which is denied him
22  At Mount Hor Aaron resigns his place to Eleazar, and dies

What do the individual words in Numbers 20:20 mean?

And he said not You shall pass through So came out Edom against them with men many and with a hand mighty
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר לֹ֣א תַעֲבֹ֑ר וַיֵּצֵ֤א אֱדוֹם֙ לִקְרָאת֔וֹ בְּעַ֥ם כָּבֵ֖ד וּבְיָ֥ד חֲזָקָֽה

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר  And  he  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
תַעֲבֹ֑ר  You  shall  pass  through 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: עָבַר 
Sense: to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress.
וַיֵּצֵ֤א  So  came  out 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יׄוצֵאת 
Sense: to go out, come out, exit, go forth.
אֱדוֹם֙  Edom 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֱדֹום 
Sense: Edom.
לִקְרָאת֔וֹ  against  them 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct, third person masculine singular
Root: קָרָא  
Sense: to encounter, befall, meet.
בְּעַ֥ם  with  men 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
כָּבֵ֖ד  many 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: כָּבֵד  
Sense: heavy, great.
וּבְיָ֥ד  and  with  a  hand 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.
חֲזָקָֽה  mighty 
Parse: Adjective, feminine singular
Root: חָזָק  
Sense: strong, stout, mighty.