King James Version
Numbers 20:18 in the King James Version says “And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.”
Numbers 20:18 · KJV
And 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:
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.
And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.
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.
And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“And Edom”
H123edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“unto him Thou shalt not pass”
H5674to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
“thee with the sword”
H2719drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
“by me lest I come out”
H3318to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
“against”
H7125an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Numbers 20:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.