Numbers 21:1-3

1 And when [the] Canaanite, the king of Arad, that dwelled at the south, had heard this, that is, that Israel came by the way of [the] spyers (that the Israelites came by the way of Atharim), he fought against them; and (the) Canaanite was the overcomer, and he led away (as) prey (some of) the men of Israel.

2 And Israel bound himself by a vow to the Lord, and said, If thou shalt betake this people in(to) mine hand, I shall do away their cities. (And the Israelites bound themselves with a vow to the Lord, and said, If thou shalt deliver these people into our hands, we shall do away their cities.)

3 And the Lord heard the prayers of Israel, and betook to them the Canaanites; and Israel killed him, and destroyed his cities; and Israel called the name of that place Hormah, that is, cursing. (And the Lord heard the prayers of the Israelites, and delivered the Canaanites unto them; and the Israelites killed them, and destroyed their cities; and the Israelites called the name of that place Hormah, that is, Cursing.)

Numbers 21:1-3 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.