Numbers 21:4

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: “If You will deliver this people into our hands, we will devote their cities to destruction.” 3And the LORD heard Israel’s plea and delivered up the Canaanites. Israel devoted them and their cities to destruction; so they named the place Hormah. Then they set out from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, in order to bypass the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient on the journey 5and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!” 6So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died.

Numbers 21:4 word by word

וַיִּסְע֞וּ מֵהֹ֤ר הָהָר֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יַם־ס֔וּף לִסְבֹ֖ב אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ אֱד֑וֹם וַתִּקְצַ֥ר נֶֽפֶשׁ־הָעָ֖ם בַּדָּֽרֶךְ׃Read the interlinear

• Then they set outנָסַעnâsa‛ · to set outH5265
• from Mountהַרhar · mountain: mountH2022
• Horהֹרhôr · (Mount) HorH2023
• along the routeדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: roadH1870
• to the Redסוּףsûph · Red (Sea)H5488
• Seaיָםyâm · seaH3220
• in order to bypassסָבַבsâbab · to turn: surroundH5437
• ·אֵת'êth · [Obj.]H853
• the landאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
• of Edomאֱדוֹם'ĕdôm 'ĕdôm · EdomH123
• But the peopleעַם‛am · peopleH5971
• grew impatientקָצֵרqâtsar · be shortH7114
• grew impatientנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soul: myselfH5315

Cross-references for Numbers 21:4

• Numbers 20:22After they had set out from Kadesh, the whole congregation of Israel came to Mount Hor.
• Numbers 33:41And the Israelites set out from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah.
• Numbers 14:25Now since the Amalekites and Canaanites are living in the valleys, turn back tomorrow and head for the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea.”
• Deuteronomy 1:40But you are to turn back and head for the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea.”
• Numbers 20:18But Edom answered, “You may not travel through our land, or we will come out and confront you with the sword.”
• Deuteronomy 2:5Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a footprint, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as his possession.
• Judges 11:18Then Israel traveled through the wilderness and bypassed the lands of Edom and Moab. They came to the east side of the land of Moab and camped on the other side of the Arnon. But they did not enter the territory of Moab, since the Arnon was its border.
• Numbers 32:7Why are you discouraging the Israelites from crossing into the land that the LORD has given them?
• Exodus 6:9Moses relayed this message to the Israelites, but on account of their broken spirit and cruel bondage, they did not listen to him.
• Acts 14:22strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:3so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.

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

• Hor
• Intercession
• Israel
• Moses
• Red Sea
• Repentance
• Salvation

In the dictionaries

• Edom
• Red Sea
• Edom; Edomites
• Edom, Edomite, Idumea
• Sea of Reeds, Red Sea
• Behold
• Brass
• Exodus
• Murmuring
• Spy

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