Numbers 21:27

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared:

Complete Jewish Bible:

This is why the storytellers say, "Come to Heshbon! Let it be rebuilt! Let Sichon's city be restored!

Berean Standard Bible:

That is why the poets say: “Come to Heshbon, let it be rebuilt; let the city of Sihon be restored.

American Standard Version:

Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come ye to Heshbon; Let the city of Sihon be built and established:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Wherefore they that speak in proverbs^{H4911} say^{H559}, Come^{H935} into Heshbon^{H2809}, let the city^{H5892} of Sihon^{H5511} be built^{H1129} and prepared^{H3559}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 21:27

Numbers 21:27 is part of the narrative in the Book of Numbers, which details the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. This verse reflects on a historical event involving the Amorite king, Sihon, and his capital city, Heshbon.

**Themes:**
1. **Divine Providence and Justice:** The verse is part of a larger story where the Israelites, after being denied passage through the land of Edom, are instructed by God to take a different route. They end up engaging with Sihon and the Amorites. The subsequent defeat of Sihon and the taking of Heshbon are seen as acts of divine intervention, demonstrating God's provision for Israel and His judgment against the Amorites for their hostility.
2. **Historical Memory:** The verse serves as a historical marker, preserving the memory of the conquest of Heshbon. It reflects the importance of remembering past events and their outcomes as a means of understanding the present and shaping future actions.
3. **Poetic Reflection:** The reference to "they that speak in proverbs" suggests a poetic or wise reflection on the events. It indicates that the defeat of Sihon and the establishment of Heshbon as an Israelite city had become a well-known subject for poetic and proverbial sayings, highlighting the significance of these events in the cultural memory of Israel.

**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The events described in Numbers 21 occurred during the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites, approximately in the 13th century BCE, after their exodus from Egypt and before their entry into Canaan.
- **Geographical Location:** Heshbon was an important city in the Transjordan region, situated in modern-day Jordan. It was the capital of the Amorite king Sihon.
- **Political Situation:** The Israelites, led by Moses, sought peaceful passage through the lands of neighboring nations, including the Amorites. However, Sihon refused them passage and instead gathered his army to confront them. The Israelites, with God's aid, defeated Sihon and took possession of his territory, including Heshbon.

In summary, Numbers 21:27 encapsulates the historical defeat of Sihon and the capture of Heshbon by the Israelites, an event that was memorialized in poetic sayings. It underscores themes of divine justice, historical memory, and the significance of these events in the collective consciousness of the Israelite people.

*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: H4911
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָשַׁל
   Transliteration: mâshal
   Pronunciation: maw-shal'
   Description: denominative from מָשָׁל; to liken, i.e. (transitively) to use figurative language (an allegory, adage, song or the like); intransitively, to resemble; be(-come) like, compare, use (as a) proverb, speak (in proverbs), utter.
   
2. 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.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2809
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֶשְׁבּוֹן
   Transliteration: Cheshbôwn
   Pronunciation: khesh-bone'
   Description: the same as חֶשְׁבּוֹן; Cheshbon, a place East of the Jordan; Heshbon.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5892
   There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עִיר
   Transliteration: ʻîyr
   Pronunciation: eer
   Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
   
6. 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.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1129
   There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּנָה
   Transliteration: bânâh
   Pronunciation: baw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3559
   There are 210 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כּוּן
   Transliteration: kûwn
   Pronunciation: koon
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous); certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness, fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet, ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self), provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright, fast, forth), be stable, (e-) stablish, stand, tarry, [idiom] very deed.