King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And [when] king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took [some] of them prisoners.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Then the king of 'Arad, a Kena'ani who lived in the Negev, heard that Isra'el was approaching by way of Atarim, so he attacked Isra'el and took some of them captive.
Berean Standard Bible:
When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked Israel and captured some prisoners.
American Standard Version:
And the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who dwelt in the South, heard tell that Israel came by the way of Atharim; and he fought against Israel, and took some of them captive.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And when king{H4428} Arad{H6166} the Canaanite{H3669}, which dwelt{H3427} in the south{H5045}, heard{H8085} tell that Israel{H3478} came{H935} by the way{H1870} of the spies{H871}; then he fought{H3898} against Israel{H3478}, and took{H7617} some of them prisoners{H7628}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 33:40
- And king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.
Judges 1:16
- And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which [lieth] in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.
Joshua 12:14
- The king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one;
Numbers 14:45
- Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, [even] unto Hormah.
Deuteronomy 2:32
- Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz.
Joshua 7:5
- And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them [from] before the gate [even] unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.
Joshua 11:19
- There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all [other] they took in battle.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 21:1
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Providence and Testing:** The encounter with King Arad serves as a test of Israel's faith and reliance on God, as they face opposition in their journey towards the Promised Land.
- **Consequences of Past Actions:** The reference to "the way of the spies" alludes to the earlier incident where the Israelites sent spies into Canaan, leading to fear and doubt among the people, which resulted in their wandering in the wilderness.
- **Conflict and Conquest:** This verse sets the stage for the theme of conquest and the battles the Israelites would face as they sought to possess the land promised to them by God.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The event occurs during the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, which is traditionally dated around the late 2nd millennium BCE (circa 13th century BCE).
- **Geographical Setting:** King Arad's territory was in the Negev, the southern region of Canaan, which would later become part of the territory allotted to the tribes of Judah and Simeon.
- **Political Landscape:** At this time, Canaan was populated by various city-states and kingdoms, each ruled by its own king, like Arad. The Israelites, led by Moses, were seen as a threat due to their growing numbers and the power of their God, Yahweh, who had already delivered them from Egypt.
- **Israel's Journey:** The Israelites were on their way to the Promised Land, a journey that was divinely directed but fraught with challenges, including encounters with hostile nations.
In summary, Numbers 21:1 reflects the broader themes of the Israelites' journey, highlighting their struggles, the consequences of their choices, and their need to trust in God's protection and guidance as they face opposition from the inhabitants of Canaan.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H6166
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲרָד
Transliteration: ʻĂrâd
Pronunciation: ar-awd'
Description: from an unused root meaning to sequester itself; fugitive; Arad, the name of a place near Palestine, also of a Canaanite and an Israelite; Arad. - Strong's Number: H3669
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כְּנַעַנִי
Transliteration: Kᵉnaʻanîy
Pronunciation: ken-ah-an-ee'
Description: patrial from כְּנַעַן; a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the Canaanites standing for their neighbors the Ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile caravans); Canaanite, merchant, trafficker. - Strong's Number: H3427
There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשַׁב
Transliteration: yâshab
Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. - Strong's Number: H5045
There are 98 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶגֶב
Transliteration: negeb
Pronunciation: neh'-gheb
Description: from an unused root meaning to be parched; the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah, occasionally, Egypt (as south to Palestine); south (country, side, -ward). - Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H1870
There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
Transliteration: derek
Pronunciation: deh'-rek
Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). - Strong's Number: H871
There are 426 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲתָרִים
Transliteration: ʼĂthârîym
Pronunciation: ath-aw-reem'
Description: plural from an unused root (probably meaning to step); places; Atharim, a place near Palestine; spies. b - Strong's Number: H3898
There are 171 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָחַם
Transliteration: lâcham
Pronunciation: law-kham'
Description: a primitive root; to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction); devour, eat, [idiom] ever, fight(-ing), overcome, prevail, (make) war(-ring). - Strong's Number: H7617
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁבָה
Transliteration: shâbâh
Pronunciation: shaw-baw'
Description: a primitive root; to transport into captivity; (bring away, carry, carry away, lead, lead away, take) captive(-s), drive (take) away. - Strong's Number: H7628
There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁבִי
Transliteration: shᵉbîy
Pronunciation: sheb-ee'
Description: from שְׁבוּ; exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty; captive(-ity), prisoners, [idiom] take away, that was taken.