18. But the king of Edom said, “Stay out of my land, or I will meet you with an army!”
19. The Israelites answered, “We will stay on the main road. If our livestock drink your water, we will pay for it. Just let us pass through your country. That’s all we ask.”
20. But the king of Edom replied, “Stay out! You may not pass through our land.” With that he mobilized his army and marched out against them with an imposing force.
21. Because Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their country, Israel was forced to turn around.
22. The whole community of Israel left Kadesh and arrived at Mount Hor.
23. There, on the border of the land of Edom, the lord said to Moses and Aaron,
24. “The time has come for Aaron to join his ancestors in death. He will not enter the land I am giving the people of Israel, because the two of you rebelled against my instructions concerning the water at Meribah.
25. Now take Aaron and his son Eleazar up Mount Hor.
26. There you will remove Aaron’s priestly garments and put them on Eleazar, his son. Aaron will die there and join his ancestors.”
27. So Moses did as the lord commanded. The three of them went up Mount Hor together as the whole community watched.
28. At the summit, Moses removed the priestly garments from Aaron and put them on Eleazar, Aaron’s son. Then Aaron died there on top of the mountain, and Moses and Eleazar went back down.
29. When the people realized that Aaron had died, all Israel mourned for him thirty days.