Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would not consent: and Israel abode in Kadesh.
Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, 'Please, let us pass through your land.' But the king of Edom would not listen to them. They did the same thing with the king of Moab, but he also refused to let them pass through. So Israel stayed in Kadesh.
This verse describes how Israel politely asked two neighboring kingdoms for permission to pass through their lands, but both kings refused, so Israel had to remain where they were.
📚 Historical Context
During the Exodus from Egypt, the Israelites were traveling through the wilderness toward the Promised Land and needed to cross the lands of Edom and Moab to reach their destination. They sent diplomatic messengers to the kings of these nations, politely requesting passage, but both kings denied their request, forcing the Israelites to take a longer route around. This historical event is later referenced by Jephthah in Judges as part of his defense against the Ammonites, highlighting Israel's peaceful intentions in the past.
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