20:16 So when we cried to the Lord, he heard our voice and sent a messenger, 6 and has brought us up out of Egypt. Now 7 we are here in Kadesh, a town on the edge of your country. 8
1 sn This chapter is the account of how Moses struck the rock in disobedience to the
2 tn The Hebrew text stresses this idea by use of apposition: “the Israelites entered, the entire community, the wilderness.”
3 sn The text does not indicate here what year this was, but from comparing the other passages about the itinerary, this is probably the end of the wanderings, the fortieth year, for Aaron died some forty years after the exodus. So in that year the people come through the wilderness of Zin and prepare for a journey through the Moabite plains.
4 sn The Israelites stayed in Kadesh for some time during the wandering; here the stop at Kadesh Barnea may have lasted several months. See the commentaries for the general itinerary.
5 sn The death of Miriam is recorded without any qualifications or epitaph. In her older age she had been self-willed and rebellious, and so no doubt humbled by the vivid rebuke from God. But she had made her contribution from the beginning.
6 tn The word could be rendered “angel” or “messenger.” Some ambiguity may be intended in this report.
7 tn The Hebrew text uses הִנֵּה (hinneh) to emphasize the “here and now” aspect of the report to Edom.
8 tn Heb “your border.”