“Israel sent” – all matters of Torah require one another, as perhaps this one is cryptic and that one is expansive. Here it is stated: “Israel sent,” but elsewhere it attributed the mission to Moses, as it is stated: “I sent messengers from the wilderness of Kedemot” (Deuteronomy 2:26). And it is written: “Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom” (Judges 11:17), and it is written: “Moses sent messengers from Kadesh [to the king of Edom].… Let us pass” (Numbers 20:14,17). These verses require one another, as Moses is Israel and Israel is Moses, to teach you that the leader of the generation is the entire generation.
Who Sent the Messengers to Sihon - Israel or Moses
Bamidbar Rabbah 19:28