Numbers 21:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

Complete Jewish Bible:

Isra'el sent messengers to Sichon, king of the Emori, with this message:

Berean Standard Bible:

Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

American Standard Version:

And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Israel^{H3478} sent^{H7971} messengers^{H4397} unto Sihon^{H5511} king^{H4428} of the Amorites^{H567}, saying^{H559},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 21:21

Numbers 21:21 is a part of the narrative in the Old Testament that recounts the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The verse itself is succinct, stating, "And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying." While the verse does not provide the full message, the historical context and subsequent verses reveal that the Israelites were seeking safe passage through the land of the Amorites, which was ruled by King Sihon.

The themes present in this verse include diplomacy and the complex relationships between different peoples in the ancient Near East. The Israelites, rather than attempting to conquer the land by force, initially seek a peaceful transit through the territory. This reflects the common practice of the time, where negotiation with local rulers was often the first step when a group sought to pass through or settle in a new region.

The verse also highlights the broader narrative of the Israelites' journey towards the Promised Land. Their request to Sihon is part of a series of interactions with neighboring kingdoms, which often resulted in conflict as the Israelites sought to claim the land God had promised to them. In the chapters that follow, we learn that Sihon refused passage to the Israelites and instead engaged them in battle, leading to the defeat of the Amorites and the annexation of their territory by the Israelites.

In summary, Numbers 21:21 captures a moment of diplomatic outreach by the Israelites to the Amorites as they endeavor to reach the Promised Land. It is a verse that sets the stage for a significant military engagement and territorial expansion, reflecting the themes of divine promise, the challenges of wilderness travel, and the geopolitical realities of the time.

*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: H7971
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלַח
   Transliteration: shâlach
   Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).
   
3. Strong's Number: H4397
   There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֲלְאָךְ
   Transliteration: mălʼâk
   Pronunciation: mal-awk'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher); ambassador, angel, king, messenger.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5511
   There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סִיחוֹן
   Transliteration: Çîychôwn
   Pronunciation: see-khone'
   Description: or סִיחֹן; from the same as סוּחַ; tempestuous; Sichon, an Amoritish king; Sihon.
   
5. 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.
   
6. Strong's Number: H567
   There are 715 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱמֹרִי
   Transliteration: ʼĔmôrîy
   Pronunciation: em-o-ree'
   Description: probably a patronymic from an unused name derived from אָמַר in the sense of publicity, i.e. prominence; thus, a mountaineer; an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes; Amorite.
   
7. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.