Chapter commentary
Numbers Chapter 20
1
Nu 20:1-29.
繁體中文
English original
Nu 20:1-29.
THE DEATH OF MIRIAM.
1. Then came the children of Israel . . . into the desert of Zin in the first month--that is, of the fortieth year (compare
Nu 20:22, 23, with Nu 33:38).
In this history only the principal and most important incidents are recorded, those confined chiefly to the first or second and the last years of the journeyings in the wilderness, thence called Et-Tih. Between
Nu 19:22 and Nu 20:1
there is a long and undescribed interval of thirty-seven years.
the people abode in Kadesh--supposed to be what is now known as Ain-el-Weibeh, three springs surrounded by palms. (See on
Nu 13:26).
It was their second arrival after an interval of thirty-eight years
(De 2:14).
The old generation had nearly all died, and the new one encamped in it with the view of entering the promised land, not, however, as formerly on the south, but by crossing the Edomite region on the east.
Miriam died there--four months before Aaron
[Nu 33:38].
2
Untitled
繁體中文
2-13. 會眾沒有水喝——加低斯有一處泉源，名叫審判泉
(Ge 14:7)， 以色列人初次紮營於此時並不缺水。如今要麼因季節炎熱而部分枯竭，要麼已被這麼龐大的人群的需求所耗盡。
English original
2-13. there was no water for the congregation--There was at Kadesh a fountain, En-Mishpat
(Ge 14:7),
and at the first encampment of the Israelites there was no want of water. It was then either partially dried up by the heat of the season, or had been exhausted by the demands of so vast a multitude.
6
Untitled
繁體中文
6. 摩西、亞倫離開會眾——這裏百姓那桀驁不馴、心懷不滿的脾氣再度爆發。領袖們逃到聖所的周圍——一則為躲避越發狂暴的群眾，一則因這是他們素來在困惑與危難中的避難之處，可以在此懇求神的指引與幫助。
English original
6. Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly--Here is a fresh ebullition of the untamed and discontented spirit of the people. The leaders fled to the precincts of the sanctuary, both as an asylum from the increasing fury of the highly excited rabble, and as their usual refuge in seasons of perplexity and danger, to implore the direction and aid of God.
8
Untitled
繁體中文
8. 拿着杖——就是存放在帳幕中的那根
(Nu 17:10)， 即那行過許多神蹟的奇事之杖，有時稱為「神的杖」
(Ex 4:20)， 有時稱為摩西的杖
(Nu 20:11)
或亞倫的杖
(Ex 7:12)。
English original
8. Take the rod--which had been deposited in the tabernacle
(Nu 17:10),
the wonder-working rod by which so many miracles had been performed, sometimes called "the rod of God"
(Ex 4:20),
sometimes Moses'
(Nu 20:11)
or Aaron's rod
(Ex 7:12).
10
Untitled
繁體中文
10. 〔摩西〕對他們說：你們這些背叛的人聽我說：我們為你們使磐石流出活水來嗎？——這位大領袖在此場合的舉動急躁而衝動
(Ps 106:33)。 他原奉命對着磐石說話〔Nu 20:8〕， 卻在衝動之下擊打了它兩次〔Nu 20:11〕， 危及了杖上將發的花苞；而且他不是對着磐石說話，而是在怒中對着百姓說話。
English original
10. [Moses] said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?--The conduct of the great leader on this occasion was hasty and passionate
(Ps 106:33).
He had been directed to speak to the rock
[Nu 20:8],
but he smote it twice
[Nu 20:11]
in his impetuosity, thus endangering the blossoms of the rod, and, instead of speaking to the rock, he spoke to the people in a fury.
11
Untitled
繁體中文
11. 會眾和他們的牲畜都喝了——就肉體而言，這水對兩者同樣提供必需的滋潤。但從屬靈角度看，這對牲畜只是尋常的元素，對百姓卻是聖禮
(1Co 10:3, 4)—— 因着其神聖的來源與用途，它具有相對的聖潔。
English original
11. the congregation drank, and their beasts--Physically the water afforded the same kind of needful refreshment to both. But from a religious point of view, this, which was only a common element to the cattle, was a sacrament to the people
(1Co 10:3, 4)
--It possessed a relative sanctity imparted to it by its divine origin and use.
12
Untitled
繁體中文
12. 耶和華對摩西、亞倫說：因為你們不信我等——摩西擊打兩次的舉動，暴露了一種疑慮——不是疑神的能力，而是疑神是否願意使這樣悖逆的百姓得滿足；他的呼喊似乎也出自一種與撒萊相近的不信之心
(Ge 18:13)。 這些情形都顯出不信的影響，或許還有未記載的其他情形，導致了如此嚴厲的懲戒。
English original
12. The Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, &c.--The act of Moses in smiting twice betrayed a doubt, not of the power, but of the will of God to gratify such a rebellious people, and his exclamation seems to have emanated from a spirit of incredulity akin to Sarai's
(Ge 18:13).
These circumstances indicate the influence of unbelief, and there might have been others unrecorded which led to so severe a chastisement.
13
Untitled
繁體中文
13. 這就是米利巴水——其上又加「加低斯」一名〔De 32:51〕， 以與另一處米利巴
(Ex 17:7)
相區別。
English original
13. This is the water of Meribah--The word "Kadesh" is added to it
[De 32:51]
to distinguish it from another Meribah
(Ex 17:7).
14
Untitled
繁體中文
14-16. 摩西差遣使者……去見以東王——加低斯的營地位於以東境地的邊緣；以色列人本可經古韋爾旱谷輕易穿過亞拉巴，繞過摩押，從東面進入巴勒斯坦〔ROBERTS〕。 以東人既是以掃的後裔，其譜系可追溯到共同的祖先亞伯拉罕，以色列人便認他們為弟兄，向他們發送了極其弟兄之情的信息。
English original
14-16. Moses sent messengers . . . to the king of Edom--The encampment at Kadesh was on the confines of the Edomite territory, through which the Israelites would have had an easy passage across the Arabah by Wady-el-Ghuweir, so that they could have continued their course around Moab, and approached Palestine from the east [ROBERTS]. The Edomites, being the descendants of Esau and tracing their line of descent from Abraham as their common stock, were recognized by the Israelites as brethren, and a very brotherly message was sent to them.
17
Untitled
繁體中文
17. 我們要走王道——大概是古韋爾旱谷〔ROBERTS〕， 有一條為商隊以及行軍而修的大幹道由此穿過。為使這些道路越過沼澤和山嶺、又為保護它們免受流沙侵襲所需的工程，使它們歸國家特別管護。「王道」之稱由來甚古。
English original
17. we will go by the king's highway--probably Wady-el-Ghuweir [ROBERTS], through which ran one of the great lines of road, constructed for commercial caravans, as well as for the progress of armies. The engineering necessary for carrying them over marshes or mountains, and the care requisite for protecting them from the shifting sands, led to their being under the special care of the state. Hence the expression, "the king's highway," which is of great antiquity.
19
Untitled
繁體中文
19. 我和我的牲畜若喝你的水，我就給你代價——東方炎熱地帶水源稀少，為使用水井而徵稅是普遍的做法；當地人對所儲存雨水的戒備常常嚴密到金錢也買不到水。
English original
19. if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it--From the scarcity of water in the warm climates of the East, the practice of levying a tax for the use of the wells is universal; and the jealousy of the natives, in guarding the collected treasures of rain, is often so great that water cannot be procured for money.
21
Untitled
繁體中文
21. 以東不肯容以色列人從他的境界經過等——一次粗暴的拒絕迫使他們改走另一條路線。（參見
Nu 21:4；
De 2:4；
以及
Jud 11:18；
又見
1Sa 14:47； 2Sa 8:14，
其中描述了所施的報應。）
English original
21. Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border, &c.--A churlish refusal obliged them to take another route. (See on
Nu 21:4;
De 2:4;
and
Jud 11:18;
see also
1Sa 14:47; 2Sa 8:14,
which describe the retribution that was taken.)
22
Untitled
繁體中文
22. 以色列人……來到何珥山——即今 Gebel Haroun，西珥山脈中最為醒目、最為高聳的峰巒，被強調稱為「那山」
[Nu 20:28]。
它因雙峰而格外顯眼。
English original
22. the children of Israel . . . came unto mount Hor--now Gebel Haroun, the most striking and lofty elevation in the Seir range, called emphatically "the mount"
[Nu 20:28].
It is conspicuous by its double top.
24
Untitled
繁體中文
24-28. 亞倫要歸到他列祖那裏——按照他近來所受的判決，他穿著大祭司的服飾，被命登上那山而死。雖然他死的時刻因神的不悅作為對他罪的懲罰而提前，但他死亡的方式卻是在慈愛中安排的，為要在他人世事奉的終了給予他尊榮。他登上那山，是為了讓他最後看一眼營地，並遠眺應許之地。這莊嚴動人場景的簡明記述，雖未描寫，卻暗示了這位年邁大祭司的敬虔順服、堅定信心與內心的平安。
English original
24-28. Aaron shall be gathered unto his people--In accordance with his recent doom, he, attired in the high priest's costume, was commanded to ascend that mountain and die. But although the time of his death was hastened by the divine displeasure as a punishment for his sins, the manner of his death was arranged in tenderness of love, and to do him honor at the close of his earthly service. His ascent of the mount was to afford him a last look of the camp and a distant prospect of the promised land. The simple narrative of the solemn and impressive scene implies, though it does not describe, the pious resignation, settled faith, and inward peace of the aged pontiff.
26
Untitled
繁體中文
26. 把亞倫的衣服脫下來——即他的大祭司禮服，作為他辭任的記號。（參見
Isa 22:20-25。）
給他的兒子穿上——作為他就任高位者的典禮。他既從前已受聖膏油膏抹，那典禮便不再重複；或如某些人所認為的，是在他回到營中時舉行的。
English original
26. strip Aaron of his garments--that is, his pontifical robes, in token of his resignation. (See
Isa 22:20-25).
put them on his son--as the inauguration into his high office. Having been formerly anointed with the sacred oil, that ceremony was not repeated, or, as some think, it was done on his return to the camp.
28
Untitled
繁體中文
28. 亞倫就死在山頂那裏——（參見
De 10:6。）
在他埋葬的地點之上或附近，有人立了一座墳墓。
English original
28. Aaron died there in the top of the mount--(See on
De 10:6).
A tomb has been erected upon or close by the spot where he was buried.
29
Untitled
繁體中文
29. 全會眾見亞倫已經死了——摩西與以利亞撒是他離世的僅有見證人
（Nu 20:28）。
按既定的律法，新任大祭司不能參加其父的葬禮，免得染了禮儀上的不潔
（Le 21:11）。
但那律法在特殊的境況中被免除了。百姓不僅從兩位見證人的複述中得知此事，也從他們明顯的悲哀與改變中得知；而這事件預示了利未祭司職分的不完全
（Heb 7:12）。
以色列全會眾為亞倫哀哭了三十天——這是公開而莊嚴哀悼的通常時期。（參見
De 34:8。）
English original
29. When all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead--Moses and Eleazar were the sole witnesses of his departure
(Nu 20:28).
According to the established law, the new high priest could not have been present at the funeral of his father without contracting ceremonial defilement
(Le 21:11).
But that law was dispensed with in the extraordinary circumstances. The people learned the event not only from the recital of the two witnesses, but from their visible signs of grief and change; and this event betokened the imperfection of the Levitical priesthood
(Heb 7:12).
they mourned for Aaron thirty days--the usual period of public and solemn mourning. (See on
De 34:8).
Nu 20:1-29.
米利暗之死
1. 以色列人……到了尋的曠野，住在正月——即第四十年的正月（將
Nu 20:22, 23
與 Nu 33:38 對照）。
這段歷史只記錄了主要而最要緊的事件，這些事件大多發生於曠野行程——即稱為提赫（Et-Tih）之地——的頭一兩年和末一年。在
Nu 19:22 與 Nu 20:1
之間，有一段長達三十七年、未加記述的空白。
百姓住在加低斯——推測就是今日所知的艾因韋拜（Ain-el-Weibeh），三股泉水為棕櫚所環繞。（參
Nu 13:26）。 這是他們時隔三十八年後第二次來到這裏
(De 2:14)。 舊一代幾乎盡都死亡，新一代便在此安營，預備進入應許之地——只是這次不再像從前那樣從南面進入，而是要從東面穿過以東境地。
米利暗死在那裏——比亞倫早死四個月〔Nu 33:38〕。