“The children of Israel traveled, and encamped in Ovot” (Numbers 21:10). “The children of Israel traveled, and encamped in Ovot” (Numbers 21:10) – they became enemies [oyevim] to the Omnipresent. “They encamped at Iyei HaAvarim” (Numbers 21:11) –they were filled with transgressions [averot]. “They encamped in the Zered Ravine” (Numbers 21:12) – the ravine had no more than the capacity of a span [zeret],68A zeret is a half-cubit. but they were unable to cross it for thirty-eight years, as it is stated: “Now rise, and cross yourselves over the Zered Ravine” (Deuteronomy 2:13).
And it is written: “The days that we went from Kadesh Barne’a until we crossed the Zered Ravine were thirty-eight years, until the demise of the entire generation” (Deuteronomy 2:14). “From there they traveled, and encamped across [me’ever] the Arnon” (Numbers 21:13) – as the Holy One blessed be He reconciled with them.69Me’ever is expounded to mean that they emerged from the fury [me’evrat] of the Holy One blessed be He.