Numbers 20

“Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the…” Naming Israel and Kadesh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.” Naming Aaron and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD…” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and…” Naming Aaron and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Moses took the rod from before the LORD , as he commanded him.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the…” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD , and he was sanctified in them.” Naming Israel and Meribah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the…” Naming Edom and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our…” Naming Egypt and Egyptians keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when we cried unto the LORD , he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and…” Naming Egypt and Kadesh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.” Naming Edom and Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.” Naming Edom and Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.” Naming Israel and Edom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came unto mount Hor.” Naming Hor and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,” Naming Aaron and Edom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor:” Naming Aaron and Eleazar keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the…” Naming Aaron and Eleazar keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of…” The number thirty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.