And there was no water for the congregation ,.... Which was so ordered, for the trial of this new generation, to see whether they would behave any better than their fathers had done in a like circumstance, the first year they came out of Egypt, Exodus 17:1 . and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron ; just as their fathers had done before them, being of the like temper and disposition. read more
And the people chode with Moses ,.... Contended with him in a wrangling and litigious manner, showing no reverence nor respect unto his person on account of the dignity of his office, and the many favours they had received from him; and this at a time, when, instead of quarrelling with him, they should have condoled him on the loss of his sister, and bewailed their own loss also of one who had been a prophetess to them, and a leader of them, Micah 6:4 . and spake, saying, would God that... read more
And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness ,.... The wilderness of Zin, whither by various marches and journeys, and through different stations, they were at length come: that we and our cattle should die there ? with thirst; they seem to represent it, as if this was the end, design, and intention of Moses and Aaron in bringing them thither; their language is much the same with their fathers on a like occasion; which shows the bad influence of example,... read more
And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt ,.... They represent that affair in such a light, as if they were forced out of Egypt by Moses and Aaron against their wills; or at least were overpersuaded by them to do what they had no inclination to, namely, to come out of Egypt; though they were in the utmost bondage and slavery, and their lives were made bitter by it, and they cried by reason of their oppression, and the hardships they endured; but this was all forgot. Aben Ezra... read more
And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly ,.... Like fugitives, as Aben Ezra; they fled from them through fear, lest they should rise and fall upon them, and stone them, as their fathers were ready to do in a like case, Exodus 17:4 . It is very likely this assembly gathered about the tents of Moses and Aaron, who went from thence unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation; where the Lord had promised to meet Moses, and speak unto him, Exodus 29:42 . and they... read more
And the Lord spake unto Moses ,.... Out of what was the token of his glory, which perhaps was the cloud, with an uncommon lustre and brightness in it: saying; as follows. read more
Take thy rod ,.... The rod of miracles, as the Targum of Jonathan; not the rod of Aaron, miraculous for its blossom and fruit, as some Jewish writers think; but the rod of Moses, with which he had done many wonders in Egypt, and at the Red sea, and in the wilderness, and particularly by smiting the rock at Horeb, when the Israelites wanted water, as they did now: and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother ; not only the heads of the people, but the body of them,... read more
And Moses took the rod from before the Lord ..... Which was laid up somewhere in the sanctuary, as well as the rod of Aaron, Numbers 17:7 , as he commanded him ; being always faithful and obedient to him that appointed him. read more
And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock ,.... To which they were directed, and were to speak unto; before this they gathered not only the elders of the people, but as many of the congregation as could be well assembled together: and he said unto them ; Moses, who was bid to take the rod, and was the principal person concerned in this affair: hear now, ye rebels ; such their fathers had been, and such they now were, a rebellious generation ever since... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 20:1-13
After thirty-eight years? tedious marches, or rather tedious rests, in the wilderness, backward towards the Red Sea, the armies of Israel now at length set their faces towards Canaan again, and had come not far off from the place where they were when, by the righteous sentence of divine Justice, they were made to begin their wanderings. Hitherto they had been led about as in a maze or labyrinth, while execution was doing upon the rebels that were sentenced; but they were now brought into the... read more