What Does Numbers 20:14 Mean?

(14) **And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh . . . —**The date of the occurrence related in this and the following verses is not stated. It might be inferred frem Judges 11:16-17 that the message to the Kings of Edom and Moab was sent soon after the exodus, and that it was in consequence of their refusal that the sojourn in Kadesh was prolonged: “And (or, So) Israel abode in Kadesh” (Judges 11:17). The account, however, is too summary to admit of any certain inference in regard to time. No difficulty is involved in the fact that Edom is represented in Genesis 36 as being governed by dukes, or chiefs (*alluphim*)*, *whilst in this place we read of a king. It is possible that the form of government may have been changed, or, as in the case of the rulers of Midian, the same persons who in one place are described as kings may, in another place, be described as dukes, *duces, *or leaders. Comp. Numbers 31:8, where the five rulers of Midian are described as *kings, *with Joshua 13:21, where the same persons are described as *princes *or *chiefs.* **Thus saith thy brother Israel.—**The Edomites, as the descendants of Esau, who received the name of Edom (Genesis 25:30), were closely connected with the descendants of Jacob.