פירוש על במדבר 20:20

וביד חזקה AND WITH A STRONG HAND — relying upon our ancestors’ assurance: (Genesis 27:22) “and the hands are the hands of Esau” (cf. Midrash Tanchuma, Beshalach 9 on בשלח)

ויצא אדום לקראתו, to face them at the border.

With our grandfather’s assurance. For if not so, why does it say “a strong hand.” Any massive number of people constitutes a strong hand.

ויאמר לא תעבור, “the King said: “you must not cross (the boundary).” After confronting soldiers at the borders, the Israelites decided, in conformity with G-d’s command, not to violate Edom’s territory.