The Israelites humbly seek permission to travel, demonstrating their trust in God’s guidance while ensuring they do not take what is not theirs.
In the middle of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness, Moses makes a respectful request of the Edomites in Numbers 20:17, saying, “Please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or through vineyard; we will not even drink water from a well. We will go along the king’s highway, not turning to the right or left, until we pass through your territory.” (v.17). This request follows a season of hardship for the Israelites, who left Egypt under Moses’ guidance, typically dated around the 15th century BC, though some place the Exodus in the mid-13th century BC. By asking permission rather than taking the right by force, the Israelites demonstrate a desire for peace and cooperation, illustrating that even after delivering them from Egypt, God continually calls them to humble and peaceful interaction with other nations (see Deuteronomy 2:4-6).
When Moses refers to “the king’s highway” (v.17), he speaks of a major trade route that extended north and south through the ancient Near East. This highway would have passed through territories including Edom. Edom, located south of the Dead Sea in what is modern-day southern Jordan, was inhabited by the descendants of Esau. In biblical history, the Edomites sometimes aided and sometimes opposed Israel, and here they are requested to grant a safe route. The willingness of the Israelites to promise they would “not pass through field or through vineyard; … not even drink water from a well” (v.17) reveals their commitment to avoiding any harm to Edom. This also highlights God’s instruction to care for the resources and lands of other peoples, showing that God’s chosen nation was to treat neighbors with respect and refrain from unnecessary conflicts (Romans 12:18).
Spiritually, the verse underscores the principle of seeking peace with others while on a God-ordained pilgrimage. Much like Christ’s command to His disciples to live peaceably and trust God’s provision (John 14:27), the Israelites’ approach here likewise teaches believers to pursue respectful relationships, even when passing through “foreign” or challenging circumstances. Moses, who led the people from the time of the Exodus (commonly dated around 1446 BC in some traditions), remains one of the greatest figures in biblical history for his obedience, faithfulness, and humility (Numbers 12:3).
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Numbers 20:17 meaning
In the middle of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness, Moses makes a respectful request of the Edomites in Numbers 20:17, saying, “Please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or through vineyard; we will not even drink water from a well. We will go along the king’s highway, not turning to the right or left, until we pass through your territory.” (v.17). This request follows a season of hardship for the Israelites, who left Egypt under Moses’ guidance, typically dated around the 15th century BC, though some place the Exodus in the mid-13th century BC. By asking permission rather than taking the right by force, the Israelites demonstrate a desire for peace and cooperation, illustrating that even after delivering them from Egypt, God continually calls them to humble and peaceful interaction with other nations (see Deuteronomy 2:4-6).
When Moses refers to “the king’s highway” (v.17), he speaks of a major trade route that extended north and south through the ancient Near East. This highway would have passed through territories including Edom. Edom, located south of the Dead Sea in what is modern-day southern Jordan, was inhabited by the descendants of Esau. In biblical history, the Edomites sometimes aided and sometimes opposed Israel, and here they are requested to grant a safe route. The willingness of the Israelites to promise they would “not pass through field or through vineyard; … not even drink water from a well” (v.17) reveals their commitment to avoiding any harm to Edom. This also highlights God’s instruction to care for the resources and lands of other peoples, showing that God’s chosen nation was to treat neighbors with respect and refrain from unnecessary conflicts (Romans 12:18).
Spiritually, the verse underscores the principle of seeking peace with others while on a God-ordained pilgrimage. Much like Christ’s command to His disciples to live peaceably and trust God’s provision (John 14:27), the Israelites’ approach here likewise teaches believers to pursue respectful relationships, even when passing through “foreign” or challenging circumstances. Moses, who led the people from the time of the Exodus (commonly dated around 1446 BC in some traditions), remains one of the greatest figures in biblical history for his obedience, faithfulness, and humility (Numbers 12:3).