שופטים, פרק י״א, פסוק י״ז

The journey to the Promised Land was filled with political obstacles, as neighboring nations repeatedly blocked the path of the Israelites. Seeking a direct route, the Israelites requested permission from the king of Edom to travel through his territory. Their goal was to cross the land from south to north, which would allow them to enter Canaan [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. However, the king of Edom refused to grant them safe passage, a rejection that aligns with the historical events recorded in the Book of Numbers [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Following this denial, the Israelites approached the king of Moab. The territory of Moab sat at the edge of Edom, located to its east and just south of the Land of Israel [רש״י]. Yet, the king of Moab was equally unwilling to let them pass through his borders [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This double refusal by both neighboring nations had been noted by Moses in the Torah, where he compared the identical, unyielding reactions of Edom and Moab [רש״י]. Left with no other options and unable to advance through these territories, the Israelites were forced to halt their journey and remain settled in Kadesh [ביאור שטיינזלץ].