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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient with the long journey,

Context of Numbers 21:4

2Then Israel made this vow to the Lord: “If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy their cities.” 3The Lord listened to Israel’s plea and gave the Canaanites over to them. They completely destroyed them and their towns; so the place was named Hormah. They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; 5they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” 6Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many 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 Israelite community set out from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor.
• Numbers 33:41They left Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah.
• Numbers 14:25Since the Amalekites and the Canaanites are living in the valleys, turn back tomorrow and set out toward the desert along the route to the Red Sea.”
• Deuteronomy 1:40But as for you, turn around and set out toward the desert along the route to the Red Sea.”
• Numbers 20:18But Edom answered: “You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword.”
• Deuteronomy 2:5Do not provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land, not even enough to put your foot on. I have given Esau the hill country of Seir as his own.
• Judges 11:18“Next they traveled through the wilderness, skirted the lands of Edom and Moab, passed along the eastern side of the country of Moab, and camped on the other side of the Arnon. They did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was its border.
• Numbers 32:7Why do you discourage the Israelites from crossing over into the land the Lord has given them?
• Exodus 6:9Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.
• Acts 14:22strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:3so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.

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