Numbers 21:1-11

1 When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that the Israelites were coming on the road to Atharim, he fought them and took some of them as prisoners.

2 Then the Israelites made this vow to the LORD: "If you will hand these people over to us, we'll destroy their cities because you've claimed them."

3 The LORD listened to the Israelites and handed the Canaanites over to them. They destroyed the Canaanites and their cities. So they called the place Hormah [Claimed for Destruction].

4 Then they moved from Mount Hor, following the road that goes to the Red Sea, in order to get around Edom. The people became impatient on the trip

5 and criticized God and Moses. They said, "Why did you make us leave Egypt--just to let us die in the desert? There's no bread or water, and we can't stand this awful food!"

6 So the LORD sent poisonous snakes among the people. They bit the people, and many of the Israelites died.

7 The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we criticized the LORD and you. Pray to the LORD so that he will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people.

8 The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake, and put it on a pole. Anyone who is bitten can look at it and live."

9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it on a pole. People looked at the bronze snake after they were bitten, and they lived.

10 The Israelites moved and set up camp at Oboth.

11 Next they moved from Oboth and set up camp at Iye Abarim in the desert west of Moab.

Numbers 21:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 21

This chapter gives an account of the defeat of King Arad, the Canaanite, Nu 21:1-3 of the murmurings of the children of Israel, because of difficulties in travelling round, the land of Edom, for which they were punished with fiery serpents, Nu 21:4-6 and how that upon their repentance a brazen serpent was ordered to be made, and to be erected on a pole, that whoever looked to it might live, Nu 21:7-9 and of the several journeys and stations of the children of Israel, until they came to the land of the Amorites, Nu 21:10-20, when they sent a message to Sihon their king, to desire him to grant them a passage through his country; but he refusing, they fought with him, smote him, and possessed his land, concerning which many proverbial sayings were used, Nu 21:21-32 and the chapter is concluded with the defeat of Og, king of Bashan, Nu 21:33-35.