Chp. 20 verse 14 - Chp. 21 verse 20: Moshe sends messengers to the king of Edom asking for permission to pass through his land, he refuses. They travel to mount Hor and there Aaron dies and is succeeded by his son Elazar, and all the people mourn for him. Chp. 21, begins with the Amalekie attacking they defeat them. The people begin to complain about the conditions in the desert. Hashem punishes them with poisonous snakes and scorpions which kill many of the people. They repent and Hashem tells Moshe to make a copper snake and hang it on a pole and those that look at it will not die. They continue to travel in the wilderness. Hashem performs a miracle for them at the valley of

Arnon. When they become aware of this miracle they compose a song of praise to Hashem.