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

2The Israelites made this promise to the Lord: ‘If you put these people under our power, we will destroy their towns for you.’ 3The Lord accepted the Israelites' promise. He put the Canaanites under their power. The Israelites destroyed them and all their towns. After that, the place was called Hormah. The Israelites left Hor mountain. They travelled round the edge of Edom to the Red Sea. As they travelled, the people were upset. 5They complained to God and to Moses, ‘You should not have brought us from Egypt to die here in the desert. There is nothing to eat. There is no water to drink. We do not like this bad food, manna.’ 6Then the Lord sent snakes among the people. They bit the people and many of the Israelites died.

Numbers 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 20:22All the Israelites went from Kadesh to Hor mountain.
• Numbers 33:41The Israelites travelled from Hor mountain and they made their camp at Zalmonah.
• Numbers 14:25The Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys now. So tomorrow you must turn back. You must travel through the desert towards the Red Sea.’
• Deuteronomy 1:40But now you must all turn back towards the desert. Travel along the road to the Red Sea.’
• Numbers 20:18The king of Edom said, ‘You must not travel through my country. If you do, we will bring our army to attack you.’
• Deuteronomy 2:5Do not attack them at all. I will not give any of their land to you, not even enough ground to put your foot on. I have given the hills around Mount Seir to Esau, for his descendants to live there.
• Judges 11:18Next, the Israelites went through the desert, around the edge of Edom and Moab. They arrived on the east side of Moab's land. They put up their tents on the other side of the Arnon river, which was the border of Moab's land. They did not go into Moab.
• Numbers 32:7If you stay here, the rest of the Israelites may not want to cross the river. Do not stop them going into the land that the Lord has given to them!
• Exodus 6:9Moses told the Lord's message to the Israelites. But they refused to listen to him. They were very weak and tired, because their Egyptian masters were so cruel to them.
• Acts 14:22In all these towns, they taught the believers to be strong. They said to them, ‘Continue to trust in the Lord Jesus! All believers will have trouble at different times. That will continue to happen in our lives. But one day we will go into the kingdom of God where he rules.’
• 1 Thessalonians 3:3You are receiving many troubles. We did not want anyone among you to turn away from Christ because of that. You already know that we who are believers must receive troubles like that.

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