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

2Then the Israelites made this vow to the Lord: “If you will hand these people over to us, we’ll destroy their cities because you’ve claimed them.” 3The Lord listened to the Israelites and handed the Canaanites over to them. They destroyed the Canaanites and their cities. So they called the place Hormah [Claimed for Destruction]. Then they moved from Mount Hor, following the road that goes to the Red Sea, in order to get around Edom. The people became impatient on the trip 5and criticized God and Moses. They said, “Why did you make us leave Egypt—just to let us die in the desert? There’s no bread or water, and we can’t stand this awful food!” 6So the Lord sent poisonous 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 20:22The whole community of Israel left Kadesh and came to Mount Hor.
• Numbers 33:41They moved from Mount Hor and set up camp at Zalmonah.
• Numbers 14:25(The Amalekites and Canaanites are living in the valleys.) Tomorrow you must turn around, go back into the desert, and follow the road that goes to the Red Sea.”
• Deuteronomy 1:40Turn around, go back into the desert, and follow the road that goes to the Red Sea.”
• Numbers 20:18But the Edomites answered, “You may not pass through our country. If you try, we’ll come out and attack you.”
• Deuteronomy 2:5Don’t start a fight with them, because I’m not giving you any of their land—not even enough to stand on. I’ve given Esau’s descendants the region of Mount Seir as their property.
• Judges 11:18“Then they went through the desert, by-passing Edom and Moab. They camped east of Moab—east of the Arnon River. They did not cross the Arnon River because it was Moab’s border.
• Numbers 32:7That might discourage them from entering the land the Lord has given them.
• Exodus 6:9Moses reported this to the Israelites. But they would not listen to him because they were so discouraged by their back-breaking work.
• Acts 14:22They strengthened the disciples in these cities and encouraged the disciples to remain faithful. Paul and Barnabas told them, “We must suffer a lot to enter God’s kingdom.”
• 1 Thessalonians 3:3so that these troubles don’t disturb any of you. You know that we’re destined to suffer persecution.

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