Westminster Annotations, Numbers · Chapter 20
CHAP. XX.
Vers. 1. OF Zin] Some read Sin, as the vulgar Latine, but corruptly; for it is not the same word, as the difference of the first letters shew, for the former is written with Samech, this with Tsadi; nor the same place mentioned, Exod. 16. 1. where it rained Manna, for that was but the eighth mansion, this is the thirtie third, but as some reckon it, the twentie third.
first monethmonth] This was the first monethmonth of the fourtieth yeare after their departure out of Egypt; for their next removall was from Kadesh to Hor, which seemeth to be in the same yeare when Aaron dyed, and he dyed in the first day of the fifth monethmonth of the fourtieth yeare, after the children of Israel were come out of the Land of Egypt, as is expressely said, Numb. 33. 38. so that from this Chapter to the end of Deuteronomy, are described the passages of the fourtieth or last yeare of the journeying of the Hebrews in the wildernesse.
Kadesh] As this was another desert from Sin in the eighth mansion, so this was another Kadesh then that which is called Kadesh Barnea, for kadesh Barnea was in the Southerno confines of the Land of Canaan; but the Kadesh here spoken of, was (though Southward also) farre off, in the confines of Idumea, or uttermost border of the King of Edom, vers. 14, & 16. of this Chapter.
Miriam died] The sister of Aaron and Moses, she died foure monethes before her brother Aaron, when she was of the age of one hundred and thirtie yeares, and about the yeare of the world, 25 24.
V. 5. wherefore have ye] This people was very prone to murmure against their Governours, and that most of all in the cause and quarrell of the belly, when they wanted provision of meat and drinke, and the verse sheweth the wildernesse wanted both; and they wanted patience to keepe the Peace with their Superiours; O how unquiet a thing is warre which causeth famine, and by that wherein it ends, begins new brabbles! See Joseph of the warres of the Jews, lib. 6. cap. 11.
V. 8. rod] It is not certaine whether this was Moses his rod wherewith he wrought wonders in Egypt, and smote the rock in Horeb, Exod. 17. 5. (although some without doubt affirme it was that) or Aarons rod that budded, and brought forth Almonds, and was laid up before the Lord in the Sanctuary, Numb. 17. 8. 10. but the difference is not great, the miracle lieth not in the rod, or the relation to Mose… and Aaron, but in the power of God.
V. 8. speake] Command it to give water.
V. 10. must we fetch] By this question he seemeth to bewray some distrust of such a supply of drinke, as he did of supply of flesh, Numb. 11. 22, 23. and what is probable of him by this verse is charged upon him and Aaron both, vers. 12. & vers. 24. The errours of Moses in this particular passage are conceived by some to be 1 his immoderate anger: 2 his speaking to the people, when he should have spoken to the rock, ver. 8. 3 his smiting of it when he should only have spoken to it with the rod in his hand, or stretched it towards it; and smiting it twice as in a pang of passion; but others excuse him, and say, he did not know whether God promised water upon condition they would cease from murmuring: but the next words shew that both he and Aaron were in fault.
V. 12. ye beleeved me not] They did not doubt of the power of God whereof they had sufficient evidence, even for such a miracle as this, Exod. 17. 6. nor of his will; but in regard of the wilfulnesse and murmuring of the people unworthy to be supplied in such a miraculous sort, and in this doubt and displeasure at the people something was too passionately said or done which might occasion or confirme incredulitie in them. See Psal. 106. 32, 33.
sanctifie me] This is, honour me, because God is most to be honoured for his owne holinesse, and by the holinesse of men, which consisteth in beleeving his word, and obeying his command.
which I have given] By which is not meant the whole Land of Canaan, but that which was beyond Jordan in their passage out of Egypt, for then he was in that part on this side Jordan, which was given to the Tribe of Reuben, Gad, and halfe Tribe of Manasseh.
V. 13. sanctified in them] That is, in Moses and Aaron by shewing himselfe mighty, and maintaining his glory, which shineth most in holinesse, for his power is an holy power; his wisdome an holy wisdome; his justice an holy justice; and so he getteth himselfe honour above all cruell Tyrants, crafty Politicians and unjust Judges.
V. 14. thy brother Israel] Because Jacob (of whom came the Israelites) and Edom (of whom came the Edomites) were heathen.
V. 16. an Angel] Which conducted them in their way by the cloud and pillar of fire: yet some by this Angel or Messenger, understand Moses.
in Kadesh, a citie] Or at Kadesh, that is, hard by it, in that part of the Desert which is so neere it, that it taketh the name from it, Chap. 33. vers. 36.
V. 17. neither will we drinke] As thine, but when we have made them our owne by paying for them.
V. 18. lest I come] A threatening denyall, as if he had said, Doe not passe by me lest I come out, &c. or, if thou offrest to passe, I will resist thee with the sword.
V. 21. turned away] Went another way toward Canaan, fetching a compasse about the land of Edom and Moab, Judg. 11. 18. and so passed not the next way through his land, … they desired, but through the coast that bordered upon it, Deuter. 2. vers. 4. which was a way rather round about, then through it.
V. 24. ye rebelled] Why then was not Moses as well as Aaron doomed to death, since both are charged with the same sinne, vers. 12. and of both it is said in the same place, that they should not bring the people into the promised Land. Answ. God prolongeth Moses life a little further, yet so, as that he did but see the Land from Mount Nebo, Deut. 34. 4. where he died; and so of him, as well as of Aaron, was the prediction, vers. 12. verified.
V. 26. upon Eleazar] Who was to succeed his father Aaron in the Priesthood, and so did his sonnes succeed him untill the time of the Judges, but then (for what cause it doth not appeare) the Priesthood was translated to the posteritie of Ithamar, the other sonne of Aaron; Joseph. lib. 1. Antiq. ch. last; but it never went quite out of his family, as Josephus saith, Antiq. lib. 20. cap. 8. which is denied by Sigonius de Repub. Hebr. lib. 1. cap. 2.
V. 28. died] In the one hundred twenty third yeare of his age.
there] That is, in Mount Hor; and whereas it is said, Deut. 10. 6. that he died in Morea; the answer is, that Hor and Morea are the same place, for Hor is an hill in Morea, which is the place round about it, and where the Israelites pitched, Num. 33. 30. & 37. for when they had thence journeyed in the wildernesse to and fro for fourtie years together, it is very like they came more then once to the same place.