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.
Please let us pass through your country. We won't go through your fields or vineyards, and we won't drink water from your wells. We'll stay on the main road and won't turn right or left until we've crossed your borders.
The writer is recording Moses' respectful request to pass peacefully through another nation's territory, promising to stay on the main road and not take anything.
📚 Historical Context
This was Moses speaking to the king of Edom, asking permission for the Israelites to pass through Edomite territory on their way to the Promised Land after 40 years in the wilderness. The 'king's highway' was a major trade route that ran north-south through the region. Despite this respectful request and promise to cause no harm, the Edomites refused passage, forcing Israel to take a longer route around their territory.
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