Numbers 21:22-32

22 Let me pass through thy land; we will not turn into the fields or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the wells; but we will go along by the king’s high way until we are past thy borders.

23 But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his border; instead Sihon gathered all his people together and went out against Israel into the wilderness; and he came to Jahaz and fought against Israel.

24 And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the sons of Ammon, for the border of the sons of Ammon was strong.

25 And Israel took all these cities; and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites in Heshbon and in all the villages thereof.

26 For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and taken out of his hand all his land unto Arnon.

27 Therefore those that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared;

28 for there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon; it has consumed Ar of Moab and the lords of the high places of Arnon.

29 Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh; he has put thy sons to flight and thy daughters into captivity because of Sihon king of the Amorites.

30 And Heshbon destroyed their kingdom even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah and Medeba.

31 Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorite.

32 And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof and drove out the Amorite that was there.

Numbers 21:22-32 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.