John Calvin Commentary Numbers 21:4

"And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way." — Numbers 21:4 (ASV)

And they journeyed from mount Hor. This is also narrated to their credit, that they endured the weariness of a long and circuitous march, when they were already worn out by their forty years of wandering. Therefore, Moses tells us that because God had forbidden them to cross the borders of Edom, they took another route. However, he immediately adds that they despicably rebelled, without being provoked by any new cause.

They had previously been rebellious under the pressure of hunger, thirst, or some other hardship; but now, with no grounds for it, they malignantly provoked God. Some understand that they were distressed in spirit because of the journey,¹¹⁷ so that the ב, beth, indicates the cause of their grief and trouble. Indeed, it might have been that their passage through the mountains was steep and difficult; yet a pleasant region was almost in sight, gently drawing them forward.

Again, they falsely complained of a lack of water, a problem for which God had already provided a remedy. Nothing, then, could be more unfair than to recall so hatefully a past trouble, for which they had experienced God's special help. But their depravity is more thoroughly exposed in their loathing of the manna, as a food providing little nourishment, or as something contemptible.

The verb¹¹⁸ קצר, katzar, is used first, which signifies to constrain; thus some explain it, that they were made anxious by distress. But since the same word is used for to shorten, others translate it that their minds were broken down with weariness, causing them to faint along the way. In any case, a voluntary bitterness is indicated, which possessed them, so that their eagerness to move forward completely failed them. The verb¹¹⁹ קצה, katzah, which Jerome renders sickens, is not used simply for disgust, but signifies that weariness which excruciates or agonizes the mind.

They call the manna “light” food, as if to say that it inflates rather than satisfies or nourishes; or, as I consider more probable, the word קלקל, kelokel, is used metaphorically for vile, or contemptible, and valueless.

¹¹⁷ Heb. בדרך Lat, in via., in via. A.V. “because of the way.” . “because of the way.” “In often noteth the cause of a thing; as, ‘the Lord’s soul was grieved in often noteth the cause of a thing; as, ‘the Lord’s soul was grieved in (that is, for, for, or because of) the misery of Israel,’ because of) the misery of Israel,’Judges 10:16; or, according to the like phrase in ; or, according to the like phrase in Zechariah 11:8, their soul ‘loatheth the way,’ both for the longsomeness of it, and for the many wants and troubles they found therein.” — Ainsworth , their soul ‘loatheth the way,’ both for the longsomeness of it, and for the many wants and troubles they found therein.” — Ainsworth in loco.

¹¹⁸ A. V., “discouraged;” “discouraged;” margin, “or, grieved; grieved; Heb. shortened.” shortened.” קצר, To shorten, to cut short, to cut off, and hence to reap. , To shorten, to cut short, to cut off, and hence to reap. S.M. says, “Their spirit was shortened, says, “Their spirit was shortened, i.e., became impatient; being a species of antithesis to longanimity, or long forbearing.” — became impatient; being a species of antithesis to longanimity, or long forbearing.” — W.

¹¹⁹ A. V., “loatheth.” קצה is likewise is likewise to cut off, but is said by the lexicographers to borrow a meaning in this instance from but is said by the lexicographers to borrow a meaning in this instance from קוף to to loathe, and and be weary of. It would be simpler to say that It would be simpler to say that קצה is the praet. 3d. pers. of is the praet. 3d. pers. of קוף, and that a feminine verb is required by the subs. , and that a feminine verb is required by the subs. נפשנו — — W