Numbers 21:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then Isra'el sang this song: "Spring up, oh well! Sing to the well

Berean Standard Bible:

Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well, all of you sing to it!

American Standard Version:

Then sang Israel this song: Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then Israel^{H3478} sang^{H7891} this song^{H7892}, Spring up^{H5927}, O well^{H875}; sing^{H6030} ye unto it:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 21:17

Numbers 21:17 is part of the narrative in the Book of Numbers, which details the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The historical context of this verse is set during the Israelites' wanderings in the desert on their way to the Promised Land.

Themes of Numbers 21:17 include:

1. **Divine Provision**: The well in this verse is a symbol of God's provision for His people in the harsh wilderness environment. The Israelites frequently depended on God for their basic needs, such as food and water, and this well is an example of God's faithfulness in meeting those needs.

2. **Community Celebration and Worship**: The song of the Israelites expresses joy and gratitude for the water source that God has given them. It reflects a communal response of worship and celebration in recognition of God's goodness and care.

3. **Leadership and Guidance**: This event occurs under the leadership of Moses, who is guided by God. The miraculous provision of water shows Moses as an intercessor for the people and as a leader chosen by God to guide them through the wilderness.

4. **Journey Motif**: Throughout the Book of Numbers, the journey serves as a metaphor for life and spiritual growth. The constant movement and dependence on God for daily sustenance underscore the importance of faith and trust in God's guidance and timing.

5. **Remembering God's Works**: The act of singing a song about the well would serve to help the Israelites remember God's miraculous deeds. This act of remembrance is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of recalling God's faithfulness for future generations.

In summary, Numbers 21:17 captures a moment of divine provision and communal worship during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, highlighting themes of God's faithfulness, the importance of worship and remembrance, and the necessity of trusting in God's guidance.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7891
   There are 79 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שִׁיר
   Transliteration: shîyr
   Pronunciation: sheer
   Description: or (the original form) שׁוּר; (1 Samuel 18:6), a primitive root (rather identical with שׁוּר through the idea of strolling minstrelsy); to sing; behold (by mistake for שׁוּר), sing(-er, -ing man, -ing woman).
   
3. Strong's Number: H7892
   There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שִׁיר
   Transliteration: shîyr
   Pronunciation: sheer
   Description: or feminine שִׁירָה; from שִׁיר; a song; abstractly, singing; musical(-ick), [idiom] sing(-er, -ing), song.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5927
   There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָלָה
   Transliteration: ʻâlâh
   Pronunciation: aw-law'
   Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.
   
5. Strong's Number: H875
   There are 255 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בְּאֵר
   Transliteration: bᵉʼêr
   Pronunciation: be-ayr'
   Description: from בָּאַר; a pit; especially a well; pit, well.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6030
   There are 317 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָנָה
   Transliteration: ʻânâh
   Pronunciation: aw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce; give account, afflict (by mistake for עָנָה), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for עָנָה), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also בֵּית עֲנוֹת, בֵּית עֲנָת.