📖 Numbers — Chapter 20 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Numbers 20:1 RThen came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.
Numbers 20:2 And there was no water for the congregation: and they Rgathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
Numbers 20:3 And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would RGod that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!
Numbers 20:4 And Rwhy have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?
Numbers 20:5 And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto Rthis evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.
Numbers 20:6 And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and Rthey fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them.
Numbers 20:7 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Numbers 20:8 Take Rthe 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.
Numbers 20:9 RAnd Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.
Numbers 20:10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must Rwe fetch you water out of this rock?
Numbers 20:11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he Rsmote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.
Numbers 20:12 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, RBecause 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.
Numbers 20:13 This is Rthe water of TMeribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.
Numbers 20:14 And RMoses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath Tbefallen us:
Numbers 20:15 How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have Rdwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:
Numbers 20:16 And when Rwe 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:
Numbers 20:17 Let 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.
Numbers 20:18 And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.
Numbers 20:19 And 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 anything else, go through on my feet.
Numbers 20:20 And he said, RThou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.
Numbers 20:21 Thus Edom Rrefused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
Numbers 20:22 And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, journeyed from RKadesh, and came unto mount Hor.
Numbers 20:23 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,
Numbers 20:24 Aaron shall be Rgathered 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 Tword at the water of Meribah.
Numbers 20:25 RTake Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor:
Numbers 20:26 And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there.
Numbers 20:27 And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
Numbers 20:28 And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and Rput them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount.
Numbers 20:29 And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Numbers 20:1–13 — Miriam's Death and Water at Meribah
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Miriam dies at Kadesh. With no water, the people contend against Moses and Aaron. The LORD commands them to speak to the rock, but Moses strikes it twice. Water is supplied, and the LORD says Moses and Aaron will not bring Israel into the land because they did not believe him to sanctify him before the people.
Key Truth: The account records the LORD's provision and his stated consequence for Moses and Aaron.
Check What You Remember
1. Who died and was buried at Kadesh? (Numbers 20:1)
Find it in Numbers 20:1 (KJV).
2. What were Moses and Aaron commanded to do to the rock? (Numbers 20:8)
Find it in Numbers 20:8 (KJV).
3. How many times did Moses strike the rock? (Numbers 20:11)
Find it in Numbers 20:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Numbers 20:14–21 — Edom Refuses Passage
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Israel asks Edom for passage along the king's highway, promising not to damage fields or vineyards and offering payment for water. Edom refuses and comes out with a strong force. Israel turns away from that border.
Key Truth: Israel's journey continues after the refused request for passage.
Check What You Remember
1. Which kingdom was asked to allow passage? (Numbers 20:14)
Find it in Numbers 20:14 (KJV).
2. What route did Israel propose to use? (Numbers 20:17)
Find it in Numbers 20:17 (KJV).
3. Did Edom allow them through? (Numbers 20:21)
Find it in Numbers 20:21 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Numbers 20:22–29 — Aaron's Death on Mount Hor
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The LORD directs Moses to take Aaron and Eleazar up Mount Hor. Aaron's garments are placed on Eleazar, and Aaron dies on the mountain. Moses and Eleazar return, and all Israel mourns Aaron for thirty days.
Key Truth: The account marks the passing of Aaron and the transfer of his priestly garments to Eleazar.
Check What You Remember
1. On which mount did Aaron die? (Numbers 20:28)
Find it in Numbers 20:28 (KJV).
2. Who received Aaron's garments? (Numbers 20:28)
Find it in Numbers 20:28 (KJV).
3. How many days did Israel mourn Aaron? (Numbers 20:29)
Find it in Numbers 20:29 (KJV).
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does the rock command differ from Moses’s recorded action?
2. How does abundant water coexist with a judgment on the leaders?
3. How does Israel’s passage request address Edom’s resources?
4. How does Edom’s refusal alter Israel’s route?
5. How does transferring Aaron’s garments mark the priestly transition?
Notes
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