Numbers 20

Miriam Dies at Kadesh

1The Israelites, the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed at Kadesh. Miriam died there and was buried there.

Water from the Rock

2Now there was no water for the congregation, and they gathered against Moses and Aaron. 3The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD! 4Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness, for us and our livestock to die here? 5Why have you brought us up from Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for seed, figs, vines, or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.”

6Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting and fell on their faces. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to them. 7The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 8“Take the staff and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it shall give its water. You shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their livestock.” 9So Moses took the staff from before the LORD, as the LORD commanded him.

10Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” 11Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their livestock drank. 12But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me, to treat me as holy in the eyes of the Israelites, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” 13These are the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD and the LORD showed holiness among them.

Edom Refuses Passage

14Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom: “Thus says your brother Israel: You know all the hardship that has found us, 15how our ancestors went down to Egypt, and we lived in Egypt many years, and the Egyptians treated us and our ancestors badly. 16But when we cried to the LORD, the LORD heard our voice, sent a messenger, and brought us out from Egypt. And look, we are at Kadesh, a city at the edge of your territory.

17Please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or vineyard, nor drink water from a well. We will go by the King’s Highway; we will not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.” 18But Edom said to him, “You shall not pass through me, or I will come out against you with the sword.” 19The Israelites said to him, “We will go up by the highway, and if we or our livestock drink your water, we will pay its price. Only let us pass through on foot—nothing more.” 20But he said, “You shall not pass through.” And Edom came out against them with a large force and a strong hand. 21Thus Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory, and Israel turned away from him.

Aaron Dies on Mount Hor

22The Israelites, the whole congregation, set out from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor. 23The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor, on the border of the land of Edom, saying, 24“Aaron shall be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land that I have given to the Israelites, because you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah. 25Take Aaron and Eleazar his son and bring them up Mount Hor. 26Strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. Aaron shall be gathered and shall die there.”

27Moses did as the LORD commanded. They went up Mount Hor before the eyes of the whole congregation. 28Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. 29When the whole congregation saw that Aaron had died, all the house of Israel wept for Aaron thirty days.