Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Numbers 20

Num 20:1 Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.

first month

i.e. April.

Miriam

Exo 15:20; Num 26:59.

Num 20:2 And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.

against Moses and against Aaron

Num 16:19, 42.

Num 20:3 And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!

the people chode with Moses

Exo 17:2; Num 14:2.

Num 20:5 And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.

water to drink

Scofield Numbers 20:8, note. [below]

Num 20:8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

the rod

Num 17:10; see Num 20:9.

speak ye unto the rock

See Exodus 17:5 and Scofield refs. The rock (Christ, 1 Corinthians 10:4) once smitten, needs not to be smitten (crucified) again. Moses' act exalted himself (Numbers 20:10), and implied (in type) that the one sacrifice was ineffectual, thus denying the eternal efficacy of the blood (Hebrews 9:25, 26; 10:3, 11, 12). The abundant water (grace reaching the need of the people, despite the error of their leader) tells of refreshing and power through the Spirit.

water out of the rock

Neh 9:15; Psa 78:15, 16; 105:41; 1Co 10:4.

Num 20:11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly

Miracles (O.T.). vs. 7-11; Num 21:8, 9. (Gen 5:24; Jon 2:1-10.)

Num 20:13 This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.

Meribah

i.e. strife. (Exo 17:7.)

Num 20:14 And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:

unto the king of Edom

Jdg 11:16, 17.

Num 20:16 And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border:

angel

Scofield Hebrews 1:4, note.

Num 20:21 Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.

Edom

Psa 137:7; Eze 25:12, 13; Oba 1:10-15.

Num 20:24 Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.

Aaron shall be gathered unto his people

Deu 32:50.

because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah

Cf. Deu 32:48-52.

Num 20:28 And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount.

Aaron died

The death of Aaron marks the end of the wanderings. Henceforth Israel marches or halts, but does not wander (see Scofield Numbers 15, note 1).