Numbers 21:12-22

12 From there they set out, and camped in the Wadi Zered.

13 From there they set out, and camped on the other side of the Arnon, in the wilderness that extends from the boundary of the Amorites; for the Arnon is the boundary of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.

14 Wherefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the Lord, "Waheb in Suphah and the wadis. The Arnon

15 and the slopes of the wadis that extend to the seat of Ar, and lie along the border of Moab."

16 From there they continued to Beer; that is the well of which the Lord said to Moses, "Gather the people together, and I will give them water."

17 Then Israel sang this song: "Spring up, O well!—Sing to it!—

18 the well that the leaders sank, that the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter, with the staff." From the wilderness to Mattanah,

19 from Mattanah to Nahaliel, from Nahaliel to Bamoth,

20 and from Bamoth to the valley lying in the region of Moab by the top of Pisgah that overlooks the wasteland.

21 Then Israel sent messengers to King Sihon of the Amorites, saying,

22 "Let me pass through your land; we will not turn aside into field or vineyard; we will not drink the water of any well; we will go by the King's Highway until we have passed through your territory."

Numbers 21:12-22 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Gk: Heb [which is in]
• [b]. Meaning of Heb uncertain
• [c]. That is [Well]
• [d]. Or [Jeshimon]