DEATH OF MIRIAM. MURMURING AT MERIBAH. DEATH OF AARON 1. Miriam dies while the people are at Kadesh (see on Numbers 13:21; Numbers 13:26). The first month is the first month of the fortieth year. As the people came to Kadesh in the second year (see Numbers 13:26), they must have remained in the vic... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN OUR BRETHREN DIED] This probably refers to the deaths following the rebellions of Korah and of Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16). It implies that these occurrences were recent.... [ Continue Reading ]
FELL UPON THEIR FACES] see on Numbers 16:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ROD] Seeing he took the rod from before the LORD (Numbers 20:9) it has been thought that Aaron's rod is meant: cp. Numbers 17:10. But it was more probably Moses' staff which was associated with former dangers and deliverances: see Exodus 4:17; Exodus 7:17; Exodus 14:16; Exodus 17:5; Exodus 17:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
YE BELIEVED ME NOT] The root of Moses' sin was unbelief. He doubted the power of God, or His willingness to bear longer with these REBELS (Numbers 20:10), and instead of speaking to the rock, as he was commanded to do, he struck it twice: cp. Psalms 106:33. The punishment was severe, but want of fai... [ Continue Reading ]
MERIBAH] 'strife.' In Numbers 27:14; Deuteronomy 32:51 it is called Meribah of Kadesh to distinguish it from the Meribah of Exodus 17:7 (see note there). 14-21. The people prepare for the last stage of the journey to Canaan. The direct route to the N. is blocked by the Canaanites (Numbers 21:1). On... [ Continue Reading ]
THY BROTHER] see above, and cp. Deuteronomy 23:7; Genesis 25:30; Genesis 36:8; Genesis 36:9. The unnatural hostility of the Edomites on another occasion is the subject of the book of Obadiah (see Numbers 20:10); cp. also Amos 1:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
SENT AN ANGEL] see Exodus 3:2; Exodus 14:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING'S _high_ WAY] Edom lay on the direct route connecting Egypt with Babylonia. The KING'S WAY here, however, is not a proper name, but signifies the most direct route. They promised not to trespass or injure the country in passing through it. 22-29. Death of Aaron. Turning southward so as to... [ Continue Reading ]
GATHERED UNTO HIS PEOPLE] This may suggest the continuance of life after death along with those who have gone before: see Genesis 15:15. YE REBELLED] The same word is applied to Moses and Aaron as Moses had applied to the people at Meribah (Numbers 20:10). The leaders, as well as the people with who... [ Continue Reading ]
This signifies the succession of Eleazar to the priesthood. The ceremony of putting on the sacred robes was an important part of the consecration of the high priest. See Leviticus 8:7; Exodus 29:29, and cp. the action of Elijah, 1 Kings 19:19; 2 Kings 2:13;... [ Continue Reading ]
Moses also died on the top of a mountain: see Deuteronomy 34:1. Aaron died on the first day of the fifth month in the fortieth year of the exodus at the age of 143: see Numbers 33:38; Numbers 33:39.... [ Continue Reading ]
The death of Aaron removed the second greatest figure from among the Israelites, and their first high priest. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews contrasts the human priesthood, which is imperfect by reason of its being constantly interrupted by death, with the 'unchanging priesthood' of Him 'w... [ Continue Reading ]