Albert Barnes Commentary Numbers 20:1

"And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there." — Numbers 20:1 (ASV)

Numbers 20 and Numbers 21 narrate the journey of the people from Kadesh around Mount Seir to the heights of Pisgah, near the Jordan, and the various incidents connected with that journey . This formed the third and last stage of the progress of Israel from Sinai to Canaan and took place in the fortieth year of the Exodus.

The incidents are apparently not narrated in a strictly chronological order . The leading purpose of Numbers 20 seems to be to narrate the loss by the people of their original leaders before their entrance into the land of promise.

Even the whole congregation - This emphatic expression (Numbers 14:1) points to a re-assembling of the people for the purpose of at last resuming the advance to the promised land. During the past 38 years, the “congregation” had been broken up.

No doubt, around the tabernacle, an organised camp consisting of the Levites and others had continued, which had been moved from time to time up and down the country . But the mass of the people had been scattered over the face of the wilderness of Paran. They led a nomadic life as best suited the pasturage of the cattle; trafficking in provisions with surrounding tribes (Psalms 74:14); and availing themselves of the resources of a district which were in ancient times vastly greater than they are now.

These natural resources were supplemented, where needed, by miraculous aid. The whole guidance of Israel through the wilderness is constantly referred to God’s special and immediate superintending care (Deuteronomy 8:4 and following; Deuteronomy 29:5; Nehemiah 9:21; Isaiah 63:11–14; Amos 2:10, etc.).

Yet though God’s extraordinary bounty was granted to them, it is probable that this period was, among the perishing generation in any case, one of great religious decline, or even apostasy. To this period, passages such as Ezekiel 20:15 and following, Amos 5:25 and following, and Hosea 9:10 must undoubtedly be referred.

Into the desert of Zin - The northeastern part of the wilderness of Paran (or, as now definitely fixed by Palmer, the southeastern corner of the desert of Et-Tih, between Akabah and the head of Wady Garaiyeh). The place of encampment was no doubt adjacent to the spring of Kadesh.

In the first month - that is, of the fortieth year of the Exodus.