Bible Strands
Numbers 21:4
Then they set out from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, in order to bypass the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient on the journey
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records Israel’s departure from Mount Hor following their victory at Hormah, as they begin a journey toward the Red Sea to bypass Edom.
The words — The text uses וַ/יִּסְע֞וּ (va/yis'u), meaning "and they set out," to mark the caravan's departure, and לִ/סְבֹ֖ב (li/sevov), meaning "to go around," to describe the intended route past Edom.
The thread — This geographical movement parallels the wilderness itinerary in Judges 11:18, while the subsequent complaint about the journey reflects the resistance pattern noted in Numbers 32:7.
Why it lands — The passage requires a reader to recognize that physical progress toward a promised destination does not prevent immediate human frustration, demanding honest attention to how travel and trial intersect.
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 they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
Cross-references
- Exodus 6:9 Moses relayed this message to the Israelites, but on account of their broken spirit and cruel bondage, they did not listen to him.
- Judges 11:18 Then Israel traveled through the wilderness and bypassed the lands of Edom and Moab. They came to the east side of the land of Moab and camped on the other side of the Arnon. But they did not enter the territory of Moab, since the Arnon was its border.
- Numbers 32:7 Why are you discouraging the Israelites from crossing into the land that the LORD has given them?
- Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
- Numbers 32:9 For when your fathers went up to the Valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the Israelites from entering the land that the LORD had given them.
- Numbers 33:41 And the Israelites set out from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3 so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.
- Numbers 14:25 Now since the Amalekites and Canaanites are living in the valleys, turn back tomorrow and head for the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea.”
- Numbers 20:18 But Edom answered, “You may not travel through our land, or we will come out and confront you with the sword.”
- Numbers 20:27 So Moses did as the LORD had commanded, and they climbed Mount Hor in the sight of the whole congregation.