Numbers 20:16 - Exposition

And sent an angel. It is probable, that Moses purposely used an expression which might be understood in various senses, because he could not explain to the king of Edom the true relation of the Lord to his people. At the same time it was in the deepest sense true (cf. Exodus 14:19 ; Exodus 32:34 ), because it was the uncreated angel of the covenant, which was from God, and yet was God (cf. Genesis 32:30 ; Joshua 5:15 ; Joshua 6:2 ; Acts 7:35 ), who was the real captain of the Lord's host. In Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border. See note on Kadesh. It is clear that Kadesh itself was outside the territory of the king of Edom, although it lay close to the frontier.