במדבר, פרק כ׳, פסוק כ׳

A simple diplomatic rejection quickly escalates into a rigid military standoff, completely blocking the Israelites' journey. The King of Edom's refusal shifts from a specific denial of passage through populated cities to an absolute, uncompromising blockade. The king denies the Israelites any foothold in his territory, shutting down not only the main highways but also the surrounding borders, side paths, and desert trails [תולדות יצחק, חזקוני, מלבי״ם].

Faced with this impenetrable wall, the Israelites initially considered using force to push through against Edom's will. However, they ultimately turned away after God warned them not to provoke the nation [חזקוני]. Anticipating that the Israelites might try to bypass the main roads and sneak through unpopulated border regions without permission, Edom mobilized their forces and stationed themselves directly at the edge of their land [ספורנו, מלבי״ם].

Edom arrived to enforce this blockade with a massive, heavily armed military force [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Since any large army naturally possesses great power, the distinct focus on their might reveals the true nature of Edom's approach [שפתי חכמים]. It demonstrates their absolute self-confidence, showing that they had lost all fear of the Israelites [העמק דבר]. Furthermore, this display of power was not merely a matter of troop numbers but was rooted in deep historical legacy. As they marched to the border, the Edomites relied on the ancient blessing their ancestor Esau received from Isaac, a blessing that promised enduring strength to Esau's hands [רש״י, שפתי חכמים].