Amplified Bible
Numbers 21:4
4Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the [branch of the] Red Sea [called the Gulf of Aqabah], to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient, because [of the challenges] of the journey.
Numbers 21:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
- New International Version (NIV)They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way;
- English Standard Version (ESV)From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way.
Context of Numbers 21:4
2So Israel made a vow to the Lord, and said, “If You will indeed hand over these people to me, then I will utterly destroy their cities.” 3The Lord heard the voice of Israel and handed over the Canaanites; then they utterly destroyed them and their cities. So the name of the place was called Hormah (dedicate to destruction). Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the [branch of the] Red Sea [called the Gulf of Aqabah], to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient, because [of the challenges] of the journey. 5So the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, nor is there any water, and we loathe this miserable food.” 6Then the Lord sent fiery (burning) serpents among the people; and they bit the people, and many Israelites died.
Read all of Numbers 21Numbers 21:4 word by word
וַיִּסְע֞וּ מֵהֹ֤ר הָהָר֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יַם־ס֔וּף לִסְבֹ֖ב אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ אֱד֑וֹם וַתִּקְצַ֥ר נֶֽפֶשׁ־הָעָ֖ם בַּדָּֽרֶךְ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And they journeyedנָסַעnâsa‛ · to set outH5265
- from mountהַרhar · mountain: mountH2022
- Horהֹרhôr · (Mount) HorH2023
- by the wayדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: roadH1870
- of the Redסוּףsûph · Red (Sea)H5488
- seaיָםyâm · seaH3220
- to compassסָבַבsâbab · to turn: surroundH5437
- the landאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
- of Edomאֱדוֹם'ĕdôm 'ĕdôm · EdomH123
- and the soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soul: myselfH5315
- of the peopleעַם‛am · peopleH5971
- was much discouragedקָצֵרqâtsar · be shortH7114
Cross-references for Numbers 21:4
- Numbers 20:22Now when they set out from Kadesh, the Israelites, the whole congregation, came to Mount Hor.
- Numbers 33:41They moved out from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah.
- Numbers 14:25Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valley; tomorrow turn and set out for the wilderness by way of the Red Sea.”
- Deuteronomy 1:40But as for you, turn around and set out for the wilderness by way of the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds).’
- Numbers 20:18But [the king of] Edom said to him, “You shall not pass through my territory, or I will come out against you with the sword.”
- Deuteronomy 2:5do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even as little as a footstep, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession.
- Judges 11:18Then they went through the wilderness and went around the land of Edom and the land of Moab, and came to the east side of the land of Moab, and they camped on the other side of the [river] Arnon; but they did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was the [northern] boundary of Moab.
- Numbers 32:7Now why are you discouraging the hearts of the Israelites from crossing over into the land which the Lord has given them?
- Exodus 6:9Moses told this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their impatience and despondency, and because of their forced labor.
- Acts 14:22strengthening and establishing the hearts of the disciples; encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, saying, “It is through many tribulations and hardships that we must enter the kingdom of God.”
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3so that no one would be unsettled by these difficulties [to which I have referred]. For you know that we have been destined for this [as something unavoidable in our position].
Commentaries on Numbers 21:4
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4The direct route to Moab through the valleys of Edom being closed against them Numbers 20:20-21, they were compelled to turn southward. Their course lay down the Arabah; until, a few hours north of Akaba (Ezion-Geber) the Wady Ithm opened to them a gap in the hostile mountains, allowed them to turn to their left, and to march northward toward Moab Deuteronomy 2:3. They were thus for some days (see Numbers 22:1 note) in the Arabah, a mountain plain of…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-9Verses 4-9 The children of Israel were wearied by a long march round the land of Edom. They speak discontentedly of what God had done for them, and distrustfully of what he would do. What will they be pleased with, whom manna will not please? Let not the contempt which some cast on the word of God, make us value it less. It is the bread of life, substantial bread, and will nourish those who by faith feed upon it, to eternal life, whoever may call it light…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-9The "vow to the LORD" (21:2–3) and the resulting victory did not stop Israel from criticizing God and Moses. The long journey was a punishment for similar complaints (14:26–35).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. they journeyed from mount Hor--On being refused the passage requested, they returned through the Arabah, "the way of the Red Sea," to Elath, at the head of the eastern gulf of the Red Sea, and thence passed up through the mountains to the eastern desert, so as to make the circuit of the land of Edom (Nu 33:41, 42). the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way--Disappointment on finding themselves so near the confines of the promised…Read the comment
Topics related to Numbers 21:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Numbers 21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Amplified Bible — © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631
Commentaries