Numbers 20:17
Amharic 2000 (የአማርኛ መጽሐፍ ቅዱስ (ሰማንያ አሃዱ))
እባክህ፥ በምድርህ ላይ እንለፍ፤ ወደ እርሻም ወደ ወይንም አንገባም፤ ከጕድጓዶችም ውኃን አንጠጣም፤ በንጉሡ ጎዳና እንሄዳለን፤ ዳርቻህንም እስክናልፍ ድረስ ወደ ቀኝም ወደ ግራም አንልም።”
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, the Israelites are asking the king of Edom for permission to pass through his land on their way to the Promised Land. They promise to stay on the main road and avoid causing any trouble or damage. The key message is about seeking permission and respecting others' property.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're on a long trip with your family and need to pass through your neighbor's yard. You ask nicely if you can walk on the sidewalk without stepping on their flowers or playing in their garden. That's what the Israelites are doing here, but on a much bigger scale.
Historical Background
This verse is part of the book of Numbers, written by Moses around 1400 BC. It describes the Israelites' journey after they left Egypt and are now trying to enter the Promised Land. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, are their neighbors, and the culture at the time involved respecting boundaries and property.
Living It Out Today
Today, when you need to pass through someone else's property, it's important to ask for permission and respect their boundaries. For example, if you need to use a shortcut through a neighbor's yard to get to work, ask first and make sure you're not causing any harm.
Topics
respectboundariespermissiontravelneighborhoodrespect for property
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Israelites need to ask permission to pass through Edom?
The Israelites were traveling a long distance and needed to pass through Edom to reach the Promised Land. Asking permission was a sign of respect and to avoid any conflicts with the Edomites.
What does 'the king's high way' refer to in this verse?
The 'king's high way' refers to the main road that was maintained by the king for safe and orderly travel. It was likely the safest and most direct path through Edom.
What can we learn from the Israelites' promise not to turn right or left?
This promise shows the Israelites' commitment to staying true to their path and respecting the boundaries set by others. It teaches us the importance of being trustworthy and respecting others' limits.
How can we apply the principle of respect for property in our daily lives?
In daily life, respect for property means asking for permission before using someone else's space or belongings, and ensuring that we do not damage or misuse what belongs to others.