And the people of Israel said to him, “We will go up by the highway, and if we drink of your water, I and my livestock, then I will pay for it. Let me only pass through on foot, nothing more.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites' response emphasizes that their request is trivial: they simply want to pass through on foot, with minimal impact. They even offer to pay for any water consumed, highlighting that their primary concern is to cause no trouble or damage, framing their need for passage as "nothing"—a request so small it shouldn't be a problem at all.
And the people of Israel said to him, “We will go up by the highway, and if we drink of your water, I and my livestock, then I will pay for it. Let me only pass through on foot, nothing more.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After being denied passage by the king of Edom, Moses sends messengers back with a plea. The Israelites promise to stick to the main road, pay for any water they might use for themselves and their livestock, and cause no other trouble, only asking to pass through on foot. This response highlights their desire for peace and a non-confrontational approach, but ultimately, it will be rejected, forcing them to find another route.
Israel asks to use the main road, not hidden paths. What does this simple request reveal about their intentions?
When the Israelites, led by Moses, approached the Edomites, they weren't looking for trouble. Their request to travel 'by the highway' was a specific diplomatic move.
Staying on the Beaten Path
Why mention paying for water? In the parched lands of the desert, water wasn't just a commodity; it was life itself.
The offer to pay for water was far more significant than a simple transaction. It acknowledged the immense value of water in a dry climate and demonstrated a willingness to compensate for its use.
The Price of Life-Giving Water
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Israel's repeated assurance, 'nothing more,' seems simple, but it carries a deep theological and relational weight.
The phrase 'without doing anything else,' or 'nothing more,' wasn't just about minimizing their physical footprint. It was a plea for a peaceful, unhindered journey, emphasizing their reliance on God's plan rather than any claim of right.
Beyond the Physical Request
Understand the original words
Yisra’el · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant community, the physical and spiritual descendants of Jacob, whom God chose to be His people for the sake of His redemptive purposes in the world.
The Israelites' request and promises highlight the vital importance of water and safe passage in the arid lands bordering Canaan. Their willingness to pay for water and stick strictly to the main road shows their desire for a peaceful, quick transit, contrasting sharply with Edom's fearful and hostile response.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
Following 400 years of slavery, the Israelites are liberated from Egypt by God's mighty hand, beginning their 40-year journey through the wilderness.
c. 1407 BC
Israelites reach Kadesh
After years of wandering, the Israelites arrive at Kadesh, a key oasis in the Sinai Peninsula, near the border of Edom.
c. 1407 BC— this verse
Request to pass through Edom
Moses, on behalf of the Israelites, sends messengers to the King of Edom requesting peaceful passage through his land via the king's highway.
c. 1407 BC
Edom refuses passage
The King of Edom vehemently denies the Israelites passage, mobilizing his army to threaten them if they attempt to cross.
c. 1407 BC
Israelites detour around Edom
Forced to change their route, the Israelites turn away from Edom and continue their journey, eventually reaching Mount Hor.
Similar to Israel's plea to Edom, the Israelites also appealed to the king of Edom for passage earlier in their journey, but were denied, highlighting a pattern of seeking peaceful passage that was often met with resistance.
Deuteronomy 2:4-7This passage records God's instruction to Israel to go around the land of Edom, directly referencing this event and showing that even though Israel offered to pay and be peaceful, Edom's refusal led to a different, divinely ordained route.
Jeremiah 49:14-16This prophetic passage speaks of Edom's pride and how they would be brought low, serving as a divine commentary on Edom's harsh refusal of passage to their 'brother' Israel, hinting at future judgment for their actions.
Romans 12:18Paul's exhortation to 'live peaceably with all' echoes the peaceful intentions Israel expressed to Edom, contrasting with Edom's hostile response and underscoring the ideal of peaceful coexistence.
gillNumbers 20:19: "And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing any thing else, go through on my feet."
And the children of Israel said unto him,.... The messengers sent by the children of Israel made answer to the king of Edom: we will go by the highway; we desire no other favour but that of the public road; we propose not to go through any part of the country that is enclosed an…
calvinNumbers 20:14-22: "And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:"
Et clamavimus ad Jehovam, qui exaudivit vocem nostram, et misit angelum qui nos eduxit ex AEgypto. Et ecce, sumus in Cades, urbe in extremitate termini tui.
Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go…
The Israelites' response emphasizes that their request is trivial: they simply want to pass through on foot, with minimal impact. They even offer to pay for any water consumed, highlighting that their primary concern is to cause no trouble or damage, framing their need for passage as "nothing"—a request so small it shouldn't be a problem at all.
After being denied passage by the king of Edom, Moses sends messengers back with a plea. The Israelites promise to stick to the main road, pay for any water they might use for themselves and their livestock, and cause no other trouble, only asking to pass through on foot. This response highlights their desire for peace and a non-confrontational approach, but ultimately, it will be rejected, forcing them to find another route.
After being denied passage by the king of Edom, Moses sends messengers back with a plea. The Israelites promise to stick to the main road, pay for any water they might use for themselves and their livestock, and cause no other trouble, only asking to pass through on foot. This response highlights their desire for peace and a non-confrontational approach, but ultimately, it will be rejected, forcing them to find another route.
"And the people of Israel said to him, “We will go up by the highway, and if we drink of your water, I and my livestock, then I will pay for it. Let me only pass through on foot, nothing more.”" — The Israelites' response emphasizes that their request is trivial: they simply want to pass through on foot, with minimal impact. They even offer to pay for any water consumed, highlighting that thei…
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Last reviewed October 2026