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 and said, “If you will indeed deliver this people into our hand, then we will utterly destroy their cities.” 3The Lord listened to the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites, and they utterly destroyed them and their cities. So the name of the place was called Hormah. Then they traveled from Mount Hor by the road to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom, but the people became impatient along the way. 5And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness, for there is no bread or water, and we detest this worthless food.” 6So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and they bit the people; many people of Israel 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 20:22So the entire company of Israelites traveled from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor.
• Numbers 33:41They traveled from Mount Hor and camped in Zalmonah.
• Numbers 14:25(Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites were living in the valleys.) Tomorrow, turn and journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.”
• Deuteronomy 1:40But as for you, turn back and head for the desert by the way to the Red Sea.”
• Numbers 20:18But Edom said to him, “You will not pass through me, or I will come out against you with the sword.”
• Deuteronomy 2:5Do not be hostile toward them, because I am not giving you any of their land, not even a footprint, for I have given Mount Seir as an inheritance for Esau.
• Judges 11:18Then Israel went through the desert and bypassed the land of Edom and the land of Moab. They traveled east of the land of Moab and camped on the other side of the Arnon River; they did not go through Moabite territory (the Arnon was Moab’s border).
• Numbers 32:7Why do you frustrate the intent of the Israelites to cross 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 discouragement and hard labor.
• Acts 14:22They strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must enter the kingdom of God through many persecutions.”
• 1 Thessalonians 3:3so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves 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