Numbers 20:3-28
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 20
3Then the people argued with Moses and spoke, saying, 'If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord! 4Why then have you brought the Lord’S assembly into this wilderness, for us and our livestock to die here? 5Why did you make us come up from Egypt, to bring us into this wretched place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, nor is there water to drink!' 6Then Moses and Aaron came in from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them; 7then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
9So Moses took the staff from before the Lord, just as He had commanded him;
10and Moses and Aaron summoned the assembly in front of the rock. And he said to them, 'Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring water for you out of this rock?'
11Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their livestock drank.
12But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 'Since you did not trust in Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, for that reason you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.'
13Those were called the waters of Meribah, because the sons of Israel argued with the Lord, and He proved Himself holy among them.
14From Kadesh Moses then sent messengers to the king of Edom to say, 'This is what your brother Israel has said: ‘You know all the hardship that has overtaken us;
15that our fathers went down to Egypt, and we stayed in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly.
16But 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.
17Please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or vineyard; we will not even drink water from a well. We will go along the king’s road, not turning to the right or left, until we pass through your territory.’?'
18Edom, however, said to him, 'You shall not pass through us, or I will come out with the sword against you.'
19Again, the sons of Israel said to him, 'We will go up by the road, 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 more.'
20But he said, 'You shall not pass through.' And Edom came out against him with a heavy force and a strong hand.
21So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory; then Israel turned away from him.
23Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom, saying,
24Aaron will be gathered to his people; for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the sons of Israel, because you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah.
25Take Aaron and his son Eleazar, and bring them up to Mount Hor.
26Then strip Aaron of his garments and put them on his son Eleazar. So Aaron will be gathered to his people and will die there.'
27So Moses did just as the Lord had commanded, and they went up to Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
28And after Moses 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.
King James Version
Chapter 20
3And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! 4And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? 5And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink. 6And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto them. 7And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 8Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
9And Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as he commanded him.
10And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
11And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.
12And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
13This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the Lord, and he was sanctified in them.
14And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:
15How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:
16And when we cried unto the Lord, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border:
17Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go by the king's high way, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy borders.
18And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.
19And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing any thing else, go through on my feet.
20And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.
21Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
22And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came unto mount Hor.
23And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,
24Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.
25Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor:
26And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 20
3The people quarreled with Moses and said, "If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord. 4Why have you brought the Lord’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? 5Why have you led us up from Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It’s not a place of grain, figs, vines, and pomegranates, and there is no water to drink!"
6Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tent of meeting. They fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them.
7The Lord spoke to Moses,
8"Take the staff and assemble the community. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will yield its water. You will bring out water for them from the rock and provide drink for the community and their livestock."
9So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence just as he had commanded him.
10Moses and Aaron summoned the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, "Listen, you rebels! Must we bring water out of this rock for you?"
11Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that abundant water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
12But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust me to demonstrate my holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them."
13These are the Waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the Lord, and he demonstrated his holiness to them.
14Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, "This is what your brother Israel says, ‘You know all the hardships that have overtaken us.
15Our fathers went down to Egypt, and we lived in Egypt many years, but the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly.
16When we cried out to the Lord, he heard our plea, and sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the border of your territory.
17Please let us travel through your land. We won’t travel through any field or vineyard, or drink any well water. We will travel the King’s Highway; we won’t turn to the right or the left until we have traveled through your territory.’"
20Yet Edom insisted, "You may not travel through." And they came out to confront them with a large force of heavily-armed people.
21Edom refused to allow Israel to travel through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.
22After they set out from Kadesh, the entire Israelite community came to Mount Hor.
23The Lord said to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor on the border of the land of Edom,
24"Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will not enter the land I have given the Israelites, because you both rebelled against my command at the Waters of Meribah.
25Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up Mount Hor.
26Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron will be gathered to his people and die there."
New Living Translation
Chapter 20
3The people blamed Moses and said, 'If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers! 4Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? 5Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!'
6Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them,
7and the Lord said to Moses,
8You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.'
9So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord.
10Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. 'Listen, you rebels!' he shouted. 'Must we bring you water from this rock?'
11Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.
12But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!'
13This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means 'arguing') because there the people of Israel argued with the Lord, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them.
14While Moses was at Kadesh, he sent ambassadors to the king of Edom with this message: 'This is what your relatives, the people of Israel, say: You know all the hardships we have been through.
15Our ancestors went down to Egypt, and we lived there a long time, and we and our ancestors were brutally mistreated by the Egyptians.
16But when we cried out to the Lord, he heard us and sent an angel who brought us out of Egypt. Now we are camped at Kadesh, a town on the border of your land.
17Please let us travel through your land. We will be careful not to go through your fields and vineyards. We won’t even drink water from your wells. We will stay on the king’s road and never leave it until we have passed through your territory.'
20But 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.
21Because Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their country, Israel was forced to turn around.
22The whole community of Israel left Kadesh and arrived at Mount Hor.
23There, on the border of the land of Edom, the Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
24The time has come for Aaron to join his ancestors in death. He will not enter the land I am giving the people of Israel, because the two of you rebelled against my instructions concerning the water at Meribah.
25Now take Aaron and his son Eleazar up Mount Hor.
26There you will remove Aaron’s priestly garments and put them on Eleazar, his son. Aaron will die there and join his ancestors.'
27So Moses did as the Lord commanded. The three of them went up Mount Hor together as the whole community watched.
28At the summit, Moses removed the priestly garments from Aaron and put them on Eleazar, Aaron’s son. Then Aaron died there on top of the mountain, and Moses and Eleazar went back down.
English Standard Version
Chapter 20
3And the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord! 4Why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? 5And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink." 6Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them, 7and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 8"Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle." 9And Moses took the staff from before the Lord, as he commanded him.
10Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?"
11And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.
12And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them."
13These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarreled with the Lord, and through them he showed himself holy.
14Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom: "Thus says your brother Israel: You know all the hardship that we have met:
15how our fathers went down to Egypt, and we lived in Egypt a long time. And the Egyptians dealt harshly with us and our fathers.
16And when we cried to the Lord, he heard our voice and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. And here we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory.
17Please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or vineyard, or drink water from a well. We will go along the King 's Highway. We will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed through your territory."
18But Edom said to him, "You shall not pass through, lest I come out with the sword against you."
19And the people of Israel said to him, "We will go up by the highway, and if we drink of your water, I and my livestock, then I will pay for it. Let me only pass through on foot, nothing more."
20But he said, "You shall not pass through." And Edom came out against them with a large army and with a strong force.
21Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory, so Israel turned away from him.
22And they journeyed from Kadesh, and the people of Israel, the whole congregation, came to Mount Hor.
23And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor, on the border of the land of Edom,
24"Let Aaron be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land that I have given to the people of Israel, because you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah.
25Take Aaron and Eleazar his son and bring them up to Mount Hor.
26And strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. And Aaron shall be gathered to his people and shall die there."
27Moses did as the Lord commanded. And they went up Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
28And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. And Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain.
New International Version
Chapter 20
3They quarreled with Moses and said, "If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! 4Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? 5Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!"
6Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them.
7The Lord said to Moses,
8"Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink."
9So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him.
10He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?"
11Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
14Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying: "This is what your brother Israel says: You know about all the hardships that have come on us.
15Our ancestors went down into Egypt, and we lived there many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors,
16but when we cried out to the Lord, he heard our cry and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. "Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory.
17Please let us pass through your country. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the King’s Highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory."
20Again they answered: "You may not pass through." Then Edom came out against them with a large and powerful army.
21Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them.
22The whole Israelite community set out from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor.
23At Mount Hor, near the border of Edom, the Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
24"Aaron will be gathered to his people. He will not enter the land I give the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah.
25Get Aaron and his son Eleazar and take them up Mount Hor.
26Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will die there."
New King James Version
Chapter 20
3And the people contended with Moses and spoke, saying: “If only we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! 4Why have you brought up the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we and our animals should die here? 5And why have you made us come up out of Egypt, to bring us to this evil place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates; nor is there any water to drink.” 6So Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and they fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them.
7Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
8“Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.”
9So Moses took the rod from before the Lord as He commanded him.
10And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?”
11Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.
14Now Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. “Thus says your brother Israel: ‘You know all the hardship that has befallen us,
15how our fathers went down to Egypt, and we dwelt in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians afflicted us and our fathers.
16When we cried out to the Lord, He heard our voice and sent the Angel and brought us up out of Egypt; now here we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your border.
17Please let us pass through your country. We will not pass through fields or vineyards, nor will we drink water from wells; we will go along the King’s Highway; we will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed through your territory.’ ”
20Then he said, “You shall not pass through.” So Edom came out against them with many men and with a strong hand.
21Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory; so Israel turned away from him.
22Now the children of Israel, the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor.
23And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom, saying:
24“Aaron shall be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against My word at the water of Meribah.
25Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor;
26and strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; for Aaron shall be gathered to his people and die there.”
27So Moses did just as the Lord commanded, and they went up to Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
28Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain.
