Numbers 20

1In the first month the Israelites, the whole congregation, arrived in the wilderness of Zin, and the people settled at Kadesh. Miriam died there, and there she was buried. 2There was no water for the congregation, and they gathered together against Moses and Aaron. 3The people argued with Moses. “We wish we had died,” they said, “when our brothers and sisters perished before the LORD! 4Why have you brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, for us and our animals to die here? 5Why did you bring us up out of Egypt only to lead us into this terrible place? Nothing can be sown here, and there are no figs, no vines, no pomegranates, and there is not even water to drink!” 6Moses and Aaron left the assembly and went to the entrance of the tent of meeting. They fell face down, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them.

7Then the LORD spoke to Moses. He said, 8“Take the staff, and gather the congregation together, you and your brother Aaron. Then, while they watch, speak to the rock, and it will pour out its water. So you will bring water out of the rock for them and give the congregation and their animals something to drink.” 9So Moses took the staff from its place before the LORD, as he had commanded him. 10Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels! Are we to bring water out of this rock for you?” 11Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out in abundance, and the congregation and their animals drank.

12But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “You did not trust me, and so you failed to show my holiness before the Israelites. For that reason you will not be the ones to lead this assembly into the land I have given them.” 13These were the waters of Meribah, “quarreling,” where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and he showed himself holy among them.

14From Kadesh Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom: “This is what your brother Israel says: You know about all the hardships we have been through. 15Our ancestors went down to Egypt, and we lived there a long time. The Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors. 16When we cried out to the LORD, he heard our voice. He sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory. 17Allow us, please, to cross your land. We will stay out of your fields and vineyards, and we will not drink from your wells. We will keep to the King’s Highway, turning neither right nor left, until we are out of your territory.” 18But Edom answered, “You will not cross our land. If you try, we will march out against you with the sword.” 19The Israelites replied, “We will go up by the highway, and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay its price. It is a small thing; all we ask is to cross on foot.” 20But Edom said, “You will not pass through.” And Edom came out against them with a large army and a strong force. 21So Edom refused to let Israel pass through its territory, and Israel turned away from them.

22They set out from Kadesh, and the Israelites, the whole congregation, came to Mount Hor. 23At Mount Hor, on the border of the land of Edom, the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 24“Aaron is about to be gathered to his people. He will not enter the land I have given to the Israelites, because you both rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah. 25Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up Mount Hor. 26Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron will be gathered to his people and die there.” 27Moses did as the LORD commanded. They climbed Mount Hor in full view of the whole congregation. 28Moses removed Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, and Aaron died there on the mountaintop. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. 29When the whole congregation saw that Aaron had died, all the house of Israel mourned for him thirty days.