Numbers 20:1

Nu 20:1-29. The Death of Miriam.

1. Then came the children of Israel ... into the desert of Zin in the first month--that is, of the fortieth year (compare Nu 20:22, 23, with Nu 33:38). In this history only the principal and most important incidents are recorded, those confined chiefly to the first or second and the last years of the journeyings in the wilderness, thence called Et-Tih. Between Nu 19:22 and Nu 20:1 there is a long and undescribed interval of thirty-seven years. the people abode in Kadesh--supposed to be what is now known as Ain-el-Weibeh, three springs surrounded by palms. (See on Nu 13:26). It was their second arrival after an interval of thirty-eight years (De 2:14). The old generation had nearly all died, and the new one encamped in it with the view of entering the promised land, not, however, as formerly on the south, but by crossing the Edomite region on the east. Miriam died there--four months before Aaron [Nu 33:38].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Introduction

The Israelites come to Zin, and Miriam dies, Num 20:1. They murmur for want of water, Num 20:2-5. Moses and Aaron make supplication at the tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord appears, Num 20:6. He commands Moses to take his rod, gather the congregation together, and bring water out of the rock, Num 20:7, Num 20:8. Moses takes the rod, gathers the Israelites together, chides with them, and smites the rock twice, and the waters flow out plenteously, Num 20:9-11. The Lord is offended with Moses and Aaron because they did not sanctify him in the sight of the children of Israel, Num 20:12. The place is called Meribah, Num 20:13. Moses sends a friendly message to the king of Edom, begging liberty to pass through his territories, Num 20:14-17. The Edomites refuse, Num 20:18. The Israelites expostulate, Num 20:19. The Edomites still refuse, and prepare to attack them, Num 20:20, Num 20:21. The Israelites go to Mount Hor, Num 20:22. Aaron is commanded to prepare far his death, Num 20:23, Num 20:24. Aaron is stripped on Mount Hor, and his vestments put on Eleazar his son; Aaron dies, Num 20:25-28. The people mourn for him thirty days, Num 20:29. Verse 1 Then came the children of Israel, etc. - This was the first month of the fortieth year after their departure from Egypt. See Num 33:38, compared with Num 20:28 of this chapter, and Deu 1:3. The transactions of thirty-seven years Moses passes by, because he writes not as a historian but as a legislator; and gives us particularly an account of the laws, ordinances, and other occurrences of the first and last years of their peregrinations. The year now spoken of was the last of their journeyings; for from the going out of the spies, Numbers 13, unto this time, was about thirty-eight years, Deu 1:22, Deu 1:23; Deu 2:14. Desert of Zin - Calmet contends that this is not the same desert mentioned Exo 16:1, where Israel had their eighth encampment; that in Exodus being called in the original סין sin, this here צין tsin: but this is no positive proof, as letters of the same organ are frequently interchanged in all languages, and particularly in Hebrew. And Miriam died there - Miriam was certainly older than Moses. When he was an infant, exposed on the river Nile, she was entrusted by her parents to watch the conduct of Pharaoh's daughter, and to manage a most delicate business, that required much address and prudence. See Exodus 2. It is supposed that she was at the time of her death one hundred and thirty years of age, having been at least ten years old at her brother's birth. The Catholic writers represent her as a type of the Virgin Mary; as having preserved a perpetual virginity; as being legislatrix over the Israelitish women, as Moses was over the men; and as having a large portion of the spirit of prophecy. Eusebius says that her tomb was to be seen at Kadesh, near the city of Petra, in his time. She appears to have died about four months before her brother Aaron, Num 33:38, and eleven before her brother Moses; so that these three, the most eminent of human beings, died in the space of one year!

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

After thirty-eight years' tedious abode in the wilderness, the armies of Israel advanced towards Canaan again. There was no water for the congregation. We live in a wanting world, and wherever we are, must expect to meet with something to put us out. It is a great mercy to have plenty of water, a mercy which, if we found the want of, we should more own the worth of. Hereupon they murmured against Moses and Aaron. They spake the same absurd and brutish language their fathers had done. It made their crime the worse, that they had smarted so long for the discontent and distrusts of their fathers, yet they venture in the same steps. Moses must again, in God's name, command water out of a rock for them; God is as able as ever to supply his people with what is needful for them. But Moses and Aaron acted wrong. They took much of the glory of this work of wonder to themselves; "Must we fetch water?" As if it were done by some power or worthiness of their own. They were to speak to the rock, but they smote it. Therefore it is charged upon them, that they did not sanctify God, that is, they did not give to him alone that glory of this miracle which was due unto his name. And being provoked by the people, Moses spake unadvisedly with his lips. The same pride of man would still usurp the office of the appointed Mediator; and become to ourselves wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. Such a state of sinful independence, such a rebellion of the soul against its Saviour, the voice of God condemns in every page of the gospel.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain