Numbers 20:17
Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go by the king's high way, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy borders.
Original Language Analysis
נַעֲבֹ֖ר
Let us pass
H5674
נַעֲבֹ֖ר
Let us pass
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
1 of 22
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
נָּ֣א
H4994
נָּ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
2 of 22
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
בְאַרְצֶ֗ךָ
I pray thee through thy country
H776
בְאַרְצֶ֗ךָ
I pray thee through thy country
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
3 of 22
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נַעֲבֹ֖ר
Let us pass
H5674
נַעֲבֹ֖ר
Let us pass
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
5 of 22
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נִשְׁתֶּ֖ה
neither will we drink
H8354
נִשְׁתֶּ֖ה
neither will we drink
Strong's:
H8354
Word #:
9 of 22
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
מֵ֣י
of the water
H4325
מֵ֣י
of the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
10 of 22
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
דֶּ֧רֶךְ
high way
H1870
דֶּ֧רֶךְ
high way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
12 of 22
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
נֵלֵ֗ךְ
H1980
נֵלֵ֗ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
14 of 22
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נִטֶּה֙
we will not turn
H5186
נִטֶּה֙
we will not turn
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
16 of 22
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
יָמִ֣ין
to the right hand
H3225
יָמִ֣ין
to the right hand
Strong's:
H3225
Word #:
17 of 22
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
וּשְׂמֹ֔אול
nor to the left
H8040
וּשְׂמֹ֔אול
nor to the left
Strong's:
H8040
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e., the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand
עַ֥ד
H5704
עַ֥ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
19 of 22
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אֲשֶֽׁר
H834
אֲשֶֽׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
20 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
The 'king's highway' was a major trade route running north-south through Transjordan, later mentioned in connection with Israel's conflicts with Sihon (21:22). This well-maintained road served international commerce; Israel's use would have been temporary and minimally disruptive.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance asserting legitimate needs with respect for others' concerns?
- When have reasonable requests been rejected despite your careful restraint?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses promised, 'we will go by the king's high way, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left.' This specific, limited request minimized inconvenience to Edom while meeting Israel's need. Reasonable, modest requests demonstrate respect for others' concerns. Yet even such careful restraint doesn't guarantee acceptance when hearts are unwilling.