“And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.”
From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient on the way — the route now reaches toward the Red Sea (the Gulf of Aqaba); the detour around Edom is arduous. The people's impatience (va-yiktzar nefesh ha-am ba-derech) suggests exhaustion and despair. The journey from Mount Hor southward, then eastward around Edom, lengthens the path to the Promised Land; frustration is understandable.
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Yuki TanakaNote1mo agoThe Serpents and the Sin
They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said: Why have you brought us up...
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Jonas ErikssonNote1mo agoThe Bronze Serpent - Judgment and Healing
The Israelites are complaining again - they're tired of the wilderness, tired of the manna, tired of the lack of water. It's the same complaint, essentially, that got them wandering in the first place...
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