Numbers 20:15 (KJV)

What does Numbers 20:15 mean?

Numbers 20:15 recalls how the ancestors of the Israelites went down into Egypt, lived there for a long time, and were mistreated by the Egyptians. The verse highlights the shared history of suffering that both the current generation and their forefathers experienced in Egypt.

In this verse, the Israelites are speaking to the king of Edom, explaining their background as part of a request to pass through his land. The verse summarizes the long period ("a long time") the Israelites spent in Egypt and the hardship ("vexed us") they endured, setting the stage for why they are now traveling as a people seeking passage.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 20:15

• "fathers" (אָבוֹת, avot): This word refers to the ancestors of the Israelites, emphasizing a connection to their family history and shared identity.
• "vexed" (רָעַע, ra'a): This word means to do evil or harm, stressing the severity of the mistreatment the Israelites and their ancestors suffered in Egypt.
• "long" (רַב, rav) and "time" (יָמִים, yamim): Together, these words underline that the Israelites' stay in Egypt was not brief but lasted for many years, reinforcing the depth of their experience there.

Why Numbers 20:15 matters

• This verse clarifies that the Israelites' request to Edom is rooted in a long history of hardship, not just a recent journey, which may help explain their need for compassion and cooperation.
• By mentioning both "us and our fathers," the verse connects the present generation to the past, showing that the suffering in Egypt shaped the entire nation, not just one group.
• The summary of their time in Egypt sets up the context for the following verses, where the Israelites explain their deliverance and current situation, making their appeal more personal and relatable to Edom.