Numbers 20:14-21

Israels Abortive Appeal to Edom (JE). Israel's desire to cross Edom was due to the wish to attack Canaan on the E. instead of on the S., where they had met with defeat (Numbers 14:45). As Kadesh was W. of Edom, the encompassing of the country (Numbers 21:4) involved a march from Kadesh to the SE.

Numbers 20:16. border: The term here means territory (cf. Numbers 22:36).

Numbers 20:19. without. else: better, it is no great matter (of annoyance).