Numbers 21

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 21 of 36

1 And King Arad the Canaanite, who lived in the south, heard that Israel had come the Way of Spies; and he fought against Israel, and took some of them captive.

2 And Israel vowed a vow to Jehovah, and said, If giving You give this people into my hand, then I will destroy their cities.

3 And Jehovah listened to the voice of Israel, and gave up the Canaanites; and they destroyed them and their cities; and the name of the place was called Hormah.

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Chapter Summary

Israel defeats King Arad. The people complain again and are bitten by fiery serpents. Moses makes a bronze serpent that heals those who look upon it. Israel continues their journey, defeats King Sihon of the Amorites and King Og of Bashan.

Key Hebrew Words

נָחָשׁ serpent H5175 · TWOT 1347a
שָׂרָף fiery serpent H8314 · TWOT 2292a
נְחֹשֶׁת bronze H5178 · TWOT 1350a
נֵס pole, standard H5251 · TWOT 1379a
נָשַׁךְ bite H5391 · TWOT 1430b
חָרַם devote to destruction H2763 · TWOT 745

People & Context

Moses

Leader who intercedes and makes the bronze serpent on a pole to heal the bitten

Sihon

King of the Amorites who refuses Israel passage and is defeated; Heshbon was his city

Og

King of Bashan who comes out to battle at Edrei and is struck down with his sons

Arad

Canaanite king of the south who fights Israel and takes captives, later destroyed at Hormah

Timeline

King Arad Defeated

King Arad the Canaanite attacks Israel in the south and takes some captives. Israel vows to destroy their cities if Jehovah grants victory, which He does, leading to the utter destruction of the Canaanites at Hormah.

Numbers 21:1-3
Bronze Serpent and Fiery Serpents

The people complain against God and Moses regarding the lack of bread and water, prompting Jehovah to send venomous fiery serpents that kill many. After the people repent, Moses is instructed to make a bronze serpent on a pole, which miraculously heals anyone who looks at it.

Numbers 21:4-9
Journey Around Edom and the Song of the Well

Israel journeys through multiple stops, including the valley of Zered and the Arnon border between Moab and the Amorites. At Beer, they sing the 'Song of the Well', celebrating the water Jehovah provided for the people through their leaders.

Numbers 21:10-20

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