Numbers 21:15-25

15 The slope of the valleys That inclines toward the dwelling of `Ar, Leans on the border of Mo'av.

16 From there [they journeyed] to Be'er: that is the well whereof the LORD said to Moshe, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.

17 Then sang Yisra'el this song: Spring up, well; sing you to it:

18 The well, which the princes dug, Which the nobles of the people dug, With the scepter, [and] with their poles. From the wilderness [they journeyed] to Mattanah;

19 and from Mattanah to Nachali'el; and from Nachali'el to Bamot;

20 and from Bamot to the valley that is in the field of Mo'av, to the top of Pisgah, which looks down on the desert.

21 Yisra'el sent messengers to Sichon king of the Amori, saying,

22 Let me pass through your land: we will not turn aside into field, or into vineyard; we will not drink of the water of the wells: we will go by the king's highway, until we have passed your border.

23 Sichon would not allow Yisra'el to pass through his border: but Sichon gathered all his people together, and went out against Yisra'el into the wilderness, and came to Yahatz; and he fought against Yisra'el.

24 Yisra'el struck him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from the Arnon to the Yabbok, even to the children of `Ammon; for the border of the children of `Ammon was strong.

25 Yisra'el took all these cities: and Yisra'el lived in all the cities of the Amori, in Heshbon, and in all the towns of it.

Numbers 21:15-25 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.