Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 20:23
And the LORD spoke unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,
And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor,…. When they were at the foot of that mountain, in the valley adjoining to it:
by the coast of the land of Edom; which they were still upon the borders of, and were going round it, not being permitted to go through it:
saying; as follows.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
23. And the Lord spoke unto Moses. First of all, in the death of Aaron, we must consider the execution of the sentence, whereby he had been condemned; for God wished to show that He had not threatened either him or Moses in vain, with what then occurred, as children are wont to be threatened. If Aaron had died without any such prediction, since he might have seemed from his extreme age to have but discharged the debt of nature, as it is called, the people might have been so overcome by their grief, as to have no inclination to proceed. But now, when, in the death of one man, the condemnation of their public and common guilt is clearly manifested, such great severity on God’s part against the high-priest, who had before propitiated God towards them all by his intercession, must have been a very sharp spur to them all. For it must needs have suggested itself to them, that God was no longer to be trifled with, before whom not even this sacred dignity could escape punishment. This was the reason why Aaron was called forth to die in the sight of all, that the survivors might learn to live to God, inasmuch as He instructed them to obey by this notable example. For the rebuke is added not so much for the sake of Moses and Aaron, viz., that they should not enter the land, because they had been rebellious against God’s word, as that the people might perceive that they deserved to perish ten times over; since, by their contumacy, they had exasperated the holy men, so that in the excess of their zeal they had almost fallen away from the faith.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
23. By the coast On the border of Edom. This would argue that Kadesh, which was in “the uttermost of thy border,” was near Mount Hor. See Num 20:16, note.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The same observation meets us here as at Num 20:11 . The LORD’S people though chastened for sin are yet the LORD’S people still. The covenant of redemption subsists, though clouds and darkness rest upon it. Aaron must not enter into the promised land, though Aaron’s name is written in the LAMB’S book of life, and he shall enter into heaven. But is there not somewhat typical here? Aaron as the great head and priest of the Levitical dispensation, cannot bring the people into Canaan. For the law made nothing perfect. It brings to the borders of life, but cannot bring into life. The law itself is but a schoolmaster unto CHRIST. Dearest and ever-blessed JESUS! it is thou alone that canst bring thy people in, and plant them in thy holy mountain! Aaron, and all the sons of Aaron, as priests must die, and give up their priesthood, but thou remainest forever, and thy years shall not fail. Heb 1:11-12 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Reciprocal: Num 21:4 – mount Hor Num 33:37 – Kadesh Deu 10:6 – there Aaron Psa 106:32 – so that
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 20:23. And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron So these two dear brothers must part! Aaron must die first; but Moses is not likely to be long after him. So that it is only for a while, a little while, that they are separated.