Numbers 21:16

16 The Israelites went from there to Beer; a well is there where the Lord said to Moses, "Gather the people and I will give them water."

Numbers 21:16 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 21:16

And from thence they went to Beer
A place so called from a well which sprung up here, of which the following account is given:

that is, the well whereof the Lord spake unto Moses;
promising him to give it to the children of Israel, without asking for it; which was a very singular favour, and for which they were thankful: saying to him,

gather the people together, and I will give them water;
for as they were now gone from the river Arnon, and the streams and brooks of it, they might be in want of water, though they did not murmur as they had been used to do; and without their petition for it, the Lord promises to give it to them; and that they might be witness of the miracle that would be wrought for them, they are ordered to be gathered together.

Numbers 21:16 In-Context

14 That is why the Book of the Wars of the Lord says: ". . . and Waheb in Suphah, and the ravines, the Arnon,
15 and the slopes of the ravines that lead to the settlement of Ar. These places are at the border of Moab."
16 The Israelites went from there to Beer; a well is there where the Lord said to Moses, "Gather the people and I will give them water."
17 Then the Israelites sang this song: "Pour out water, well! Sing about it.
18 Princes dug this well. Important men made it. With their scepters and poles, they dug it." The people went from the desert to Mattanah.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.