Bible Strands
Numbers 20:19
“We will stay on the main road,” the Israelites replied, “and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay for it. There will be no problem; only let us pass through on foot.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Israelites address Edom’s ruler during their wilderness transit, responding to Edom’s prior threat to meet them with armed force if they attempt passage.
The words — The Hebrew phrase בַּמְסִלָּה (ba/m.si.Lah, “on the highway”) and verb נַעֲלֶה (na.'a.Leh, “we will go up”) establish the Israelites’ offer to follow a designated route rather than wander through populated zones.
The thread — This negotiation mirrors the later Mosaic directive to purchase provisions and request passage through Edom (Deuteronomy 2:6, 28) and accounts for the mixed multitude and livestock that traveled with the camp (Exodus 12:38).
Why it lands — The verse records a failed diplomatic overture, requiring a reader to acknowledge that offering fair terms does not guarantee safe passage when hostility is already mobilized.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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 any thing else, go through on my feet.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 2:28 You can sell us food to eat and water to drink in exchange for silver. Only let us pass through on foot,
- Deuteronomy 2:6 You are to pay them in silver for the food you eat and the water you drink.’”
- Exodus 12:38 And a mixed multitude also went up with them, along with great droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.