20:1 the first month Based on the travel itinerary given in ch. 33, these events could date to the 40th and final year of Israel’s wandering.

Israelite Calendar Table

Kadesh This site was on the southern border of the promised land (34:4). The same location is called by a number of different names: Kadesh-barnea (32:8), En-mishpat (Gen 14:7), Meribah (Num 20:13), and Meribath-kadesh (27:14).

Miriam The sister of Moses and Aaron, who was struck with a skin disease when she and Aaron complained against Moses (see ch. 12).

20:3 our brothers were dying before Yahweh Likely an allusion to the punishment due to the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in Num 16.

20:4 die here God does not rebuke the people; their need for water is real, unlike previous complaints.

20:5 seed or figs or vines or pomegranate trees The same items the spies brought back from the promised land (13:23). The parallel is probably not coincidental, given the complaint in v. 3.

20:6 the glory of Yahweh The essence or presence of the Lord, most often veiled by cloud. For example, see Exod 19:9, 16; 33:9–10; Num 9:15.

Theophany in the Old Testament

Old Testament Theophanies Table

20:8 Take the staff May refer to Aaron’s staff that budded (17:8–10) and was kept in the presence of Yahweh (17:10). The staff used here was taken “from before Yahweh” (v. 9). Alternatively, it may have been Moses’ staff, which he had used to strike the Nile (Exod 7:19–20) and draw water from a rock (Exod 17:1–7).

20:9 before Yahweh Where exactly this is located in the tabernacle precincts is unclear.

20:10 you rebels Although Yahweh does not reprimand the people for needing water, Moses interprets their complaint as rebellion and acts out against the rock in frustration.

20:11 struck the rock with his staff twice In contrast to Yahweh’s command in Num 20:8.

20:12 you will not bring this assembly into the land The exact reason for Moses’ punishment is unknown. Essentially, Moses disobeyed Yahweh’s instructions: He struck the rock rather than speaking to it (vv. 8, 11), and his wording betrayed his personal dissatisfaction with the people. God may have been offended at Moses’ anger.

20:13 Meribah Meribah means “quarreling.” The title “waters of quarreling” serves as a reminder of what happened at this place.

20:14 messengers The message relayed to the king of Edom assumes that he knows Israel’s history, especially their slavery (Num 20:14–16).

the king of Edom Refers to the chieftain of the Edomites (see Exod 15:15; Gen 36:15–19, 40–43). The inhabitants of Edom were related to the Israelites through Esau (see Gen 36:1). See Gen 36:31–39; Deut 23:7.

20:17 along the road of the king The main north-south road through the Transjordan (compare Num 21:22). Journeying along the highway would ensure that the Israelites did not diminish the natural resources of the Edomites, such as their fields, vineyards, or wells. If the Israelite population was indeed over 600,000 men, plus women, children, and livestock (Exod 12:37; Num 11:21), their passing would deplete the resources of an already parched and difficult terrain.

20:18 You will not pass through Edom may be recalling the deception of Jacob (Israel) against his own brother, Esau, Edom’s forefather (see Gen 25:19–34; 26:34–27:45).

20:21 turned aside from him Edom is not punished for their decision. Their decision was rooted in their basic, everyday needs, and the scarcity of their natural resources, rather than ill intent.

20:24 because you rebelled against This is Aaron’s punishment for his part in the waters of Meribah episode. See vv. 2–13.

20:25 Eleazar The eldest living son of Aaron, Eleazar became high priest after his father died.

20:26 put them on Eleazar his son Eleazar is clothed with the special garments of Aaron, the high priest (see Exod 28:1–39), symbolizing the transfer of the office of high-priest from father to son.

20:28 on the top of the mountain A similar scene occurs upon the death of Moses (Deut 32:48–52; 34:1–12).

20:29 thirty days The normal period of mourning was seven days (e.g., Gen 50:10; 1 Sam 31:13). This extended period of mourning indicates Aaron’s great stature and importance. Moses was also mourned for 30 days (Deut 34:8).