Numbers 21
Victory over the Canaanites at Hormah
1The Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the South, heard that Israel came by the way of Atharim. He fought against Israel, and took some of them captive.
2Israel vowed a vow to the LORD, and said, “If you will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.”
3The LORD listened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities. The name of the place was called Hormah.
The Bronze Serpent
4They traveled from Mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. The soul of the people was very discouraged because of the journey.
5The people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, there is no water, and our soul loathes this disgusting food!”
6The LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and they bit the people. Many people of Israel died.
7The people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” Moses prayed for the people.
8The LORD said to Moses, “Make a venomous snake, and set it on a pole. It shall happen that everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.”
9Moses made a serpent of bronze, and set it on the pole. If a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked at the serpent of bronze, he lived.
The Journey to Moab
10The children of Israel traveled, and encamped in Oboth.
11They traveled from Oboth, and encamped at Iyeabarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrise.
12From there they traveled, and encamped in the valley of Zered.
13From there they traveled, and encamped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that comes out of the border of the Amorites; for the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.
14Therefore it is said in The Book of the Wars of the LORD, “Vaheb in Suphah, the valleys of the Arnon,
15the slope of the valleys that incline toward the dwelling of Ar, leans on the border of Moab.”
16From there they traveled to Beer; that is the well of which the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people together, and I will give them water.”
17Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, well! Sing to it,
18the well, which the princes dug, which the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter, and with their poles.” From the wilderness they traveled to Mattanah;
19and from Mattanah to Nahaliel; and from Nahaliel to Bamoth;
20and from Bamoth to the valley that is in the field of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looks down on the desert.
Victory over Sihon and Og
21Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
22“Let me pass through your land. We will not turn away into field or 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.”
23Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his border, but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness, and came to Jahaz. He fought against Israel.
24Israel struck him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, even to the children of Ammon; for the border of the children of Ammon was fortified.
25Israel took all these cities. Israel lived in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all its villages.
26For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even to the Arnon.
27Therefore those who speak in proverbs say, “Come to Heshbon. Let the city of Sihon be built and established;
28for a fire has gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon. It has devoured Ar of Moab, The lords of the high places of the Arnon.
29Woe to you, Moab! You are undone, people of Chemosh! He has given his sons as fugitives, and his daughters into captivity, to Sihon king of the Amorites.
30We have shot at them. Heshbon has perished even to Dibon. We have laid waste even to Nophah, Which reaches to Medeba.”
31Thus Israel lived in the land of the Amorites.
32Moses sent to spy out Jazer. They took its villages, and drove out the Amorites who were there.
33They turned and went up by the way of Bashan. Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.
34The LORD said to Moses, “Don’t fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, with all his people, and his land. You shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.”
35So they struck him, with his sons and all his people, until there were no survivors; and they possessed his land.
Numbers 21 records Israel's transition from wilderness wandering to conquest as they approach the Promised Land. The chapter begins with their first military victory over the Canaanites at Hormah, followed by the bronze serpent incident where God provides healing through faith after punishing the people's complaints. As Israel journeys toward Moab, they experience God's provision of water and celebrate with song, culminating in decisive victories over the Amorite kings Sihon and Og, securing their first territorial gains east of the Jordan.
Context
This chapter marks a pivotal transition from the wilderness wanderings following Aaron's death in chapter 20 to the preparation for entering Canaan, setting up the encounters with Balak and Balaam in chapters 22-24.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-3Victory over the Canaanites at HormahIsrael makes a vow to God and defeats the king of Arad, utterly destroying the Canaanite cities.
- 4-9The Bronze SerpentGod sends venomous serpents to punish Israel's complaints, then provides healing through a bronze serpent on a pole.
- 10-20Journey to Moab with God's ProvisionIsrael travels through various locations, receives water at Beer, and sings a song of praise for God's provision.
- 21-35Victory over Sihon and OgIsrael defeats the Amorite kings Sihon and Og after being refused peaceful passage, taking possession of their lands.
Victory over the Canaanites at Hormah
21:1–21:3When the Canaanite king of Arad attacks Israel and takes captives, Israel makes a vow to God for victory. God grants their request, and they completely destroy the Canaanite cities, naming the place Hormah.
geographic
Arad represents Israel's first recorded military victory through divine vow-making, establishing the pattern of ḥerem (complete destruction) that would define the conquest narratives.
The Bronze Serpent
21:4–21:9The Israelites complain against God and Moses in the wilderness, leading to divine judgment through venomous serpents. God provides healing through a bronze serpent on a pole for those who look upon it in faith.
person_contrast
Moses, typically associated with law-giving and obedience, here becomes the intercessor for disobedient Israel, creating the bronze serpent that prefigures Christ's crucifixion in John 3:14.
The Journey to Moab
21:10–21:20Israel's journey through various locations toward Moab, including God's provision of water at Beer and the people's song of praise for the well. The passage records their systematic movement through the wilderness.
person_contrast
Moses disappears entirely from this passage while Israel spontaneously breaks into song about God's provision—the only recorded communal praise song in Numbers occurring without Moses' leadership or liturgical instruction.
Victory over Sihon and Og
21:21–21:35Israel defeats Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan, conquering their territories. God assures Moses of victory, demonstrating divine sovereignty in Israel's military campaigns.
person_contrast
Moses, typically associated with law-giving and obedience, here receives divine military assurance as God promises victory over both Sihon and Og before battles begin.
Numbers 21:1
Numbers 33:40lexicalThe Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the South in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.
Judges 1:9lexicalAfter that, the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who lived in the hill country, and in the So…
Numbers 21:4
Deuteronomy 2:1lexicalThen we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as the LORD spoke to me; and we enci…
Numbers 33:37lexicalThey traveled from Kadesh, and encamped in Mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom.
1 Kings 9:26lexicalKing Solomon made a fleet of ships in Ezion Geber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Ed…
Exodus 13:18lexicalbut God led the people around by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea; and the children of Israel went up armed out…
Numbers 33:10lexicalThey traveled from Elim, and encamped by the Red Sea.
Numbers 21:6
Isaiah 14:29lexicalDon’t rejoice, O Philistia, all of you, because the rod that struck you is broken; for out of the serpent’s root an adde…
Deuteronomy 8:15lexicalwho led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with venomous snakes and scorpions, and thirsty ground where ther…
Numbers 21:10
Numbers 33:44lexicalThey traveled from Oboth, and encamped in Iye Abarim, in the border of Moab.
Numbers 33:43lexicalThey traveled from Punon, and encamped in Oboth.
Numbers 21:11
Numbers 33:44lexicalThey traveled from Oboth, and encamped in Iye Abarim, in the border of Moab.
Judges 11:18lexicalThen they went through the wilderness, and went around the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side…
Numbers 33:43lexicalThey traveled from Punon, and encamped in Oboth.
Numbers 22:1lexicalThe children of Israel traveled, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.
Numbers 33:48lexicalThey traveled from the mountains of Abarim, and encamped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.
Numbers 21:13
Judges 11:18lexicalThen they went through the wilderness, and went around the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side…
Judges 11:22lexicalThey possessed all the border of the Amorites, from the Arnon even to the Jabbok, and from the wilderness even to the Jo…
Numbers 22:1lexicalThe children of Israel traveled, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.
Numbers 33:44lexicalThey traveled from Oboth, and encamped in Iye Abarim, in the border of Moab.
Deuteronomy 3:8lexicalWe took the land at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, from the vall…
Numbers 21:20
Numbers 23:28lexicalBalak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that looks down on the desert.
Numbers 21:22
Numbers 20:17lexical“Please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or through vineyard, neither will we drink from th…
Judges 9:27lexicalThey went out into the field, harvested their vineyards, trod the grapes, celebrated, and went into the house of their g…
Numbers 21:23
Judges 11:20lexicalBut Sihon didn’t trust Israel to pass through his border; but Sihon gathered all his people together, and encamped in Ja…
Deuteronomy 2:32lexicalThen Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Jahaz.
2 Samuel 10:17lexicalDavid was told that; and he gathered all Israel together, passed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. The Syrians set the…
1 Chronicles 19:17lexicalDavid was told that, so he gathered all Israel together, passed over the Jordan, came to them, and set the battle in arr…
Numbers 21:24
Joshua 12:2lexicalSihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon,…
Deuteronomy 3:16lexicalTo the Reubenites and to the Gadites I gave from Gilead even to the valley of the Arnon, the middle of the valley, and i…
Judges 11:22lexicalThey possessed all the border of the Amorites, from the Arnon even to the Jabbok, and from the wilderness even to the Jo…
Judges 11:13lexicalThe king of the children of Ammon answered the messengers of Jephthah, “Because Israel took away my land when he came up…
Numbers 21:26
Deuteronomy 2:24lexical“Rise up, take your journey, and pass over the valley of the Arnon. Behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorit…
Joshua 12:2lexicalSihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon,…
Deuteronomy 3:2lexicalThe LORD said to me, “Don’t fear him; for I have delivered him, with all his people and his land, into your hand. You sh…
Joshua 13:10lexicaland all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, to the border of the children of Ammon;
Deuteronomy 4:46lexicalbeyond the Jordan, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon, wh…
Numbers 21:28
Jeremiah 48:45lexical“Those who fled stand without strength under the shadow of Heshbon; for a fire has gone out of Heshbon, and a flame from…
Deuteronomy 2:24lexical“Rise up, take your journey, and pass over the valley of the Arnon. Behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorit…
Joshua 12:2lexicalSihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon,…
Numbers 21:30
Isaiah 15:2lexicalThey have gone up to Bayith, and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep. Moab wails over Nebo and over Medeba. Baldness i…
Joshua 13:9lexicalfrom Aroer, that is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all th…
Numbers 21:33
Deuteronomy 3:1lexicalThen we turned, and went up the way to Bashan. Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to batt…
Deuteronomy 1:4lexicalafter he had struck Sihon the king of the Amorites who lived in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan who lived in Ashtarot…
Joshua 13:12lexicalall the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei (who was left of the remnant of the Rephaim); for…
Joshua 12:4lexicaland the border of Og king of Bashan, of the remnant of the Rephaim, who lived at Ashtaroth and at Edrei,
Joshua 13:31lexicalHalf Gilead, Ashtaroth, and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were for the children of Machir the son of…
Numbers 21:34
Deuteronomy 3:2lexicalThe LORD said to me, “Don’t fear him; for I have delivered him, with all his people and his land, into your hand. You sh…
Joshua 13:10lexicaland all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, to the border of the children of Ammon;
Deuteronomy 4:46lexicalbeyond the Jordan, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon, wh…
Deuteronomy 1:4lexicalafter he had struck Sihon the king of the Amorites who lived in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan who lived in Ashtarot…
Joshua 9:10lexicaland all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon and to Og king…
Numbers 21:35
Joshua 10:33lexicalThen Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua struck him and his people, until he had left him no one rem…
Joshua 8:22lexicalThe others came out of the city against them, so they were in the middle of Israel, some on this side, and some on that…
2 Kings 10:11lexicalSo Jehu struck all that remained of Ahab’s house in Jezreel, with all his great men, his familiar friends, and his pries…
Joshua 11:8lexicalThe LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, and they struck them, and chased them to great Sidon, and to Misrephoth…
Deuteronomy 3:3lexicalSo the LORD our God also delivered into our hand Og, the king of Bashan, and all his people. We struck him until no one…
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