Numbers21

Numbers chapter 21 recounts Israel's initial victory over King Arad of the Canaanites, fulfilling a vow to utterly destroy them at a place called Hormah. Following this, the people grew discouraged during their journey around Edom, murmuring against God and Moses, which led to the LORD sending fiery serpents among them. Many died, but upon repentance, God commanded Moses to make a brazen serpent; those who looked upon it lived. The chapter then details Israel's continued journey, culminating in their decisive victories over Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, securing their lands east of the Jordan River.
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Israel Defeats King Arad

1
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. ​
2
And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities. ​
3
And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah. ​

The Plague of Fiery Serpents

4
And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. ​
5
And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. ​
6
And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. ​
7
Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
8
And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. ​
9
And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. ​

Israel's Journey Continues

10
And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth.
11
And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ijeabarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrising.
12
From thence they removed, and pitched in the valley of Zared.
13
From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. ​
14
Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon, ​
15
And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab.
16
And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. ​
17
Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it: ​
18
The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah:
19
And from Mattanah to Nahaliel: and from Nahaliel to Bamoth:
20
And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon.

Conquest of Sihon, King of the Amorites

21
And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, ​
22
Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king's high way, until we be past thy borders.
23
And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.
24
And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong. ​
25
And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.
26
For 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 unto Arnon. ​
27
Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared: ​
28
For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon.
29
Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.
30
We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which reacheth unto Medeba.
31
Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites.
32
And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.

Conquest of Og, King of Bashan

33
And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei. ​
34
And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon. ​
35
So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.

Study Notes for Numbers 21

Verse 1

This encounter occurs near the southern border of Canaan, possibly utilizing the route the spies had traveled decades earlier. King Arad’s aggressive action precipitates the conflict.

Verse 2

Israel vowed the 'herem' (utter destruction), dedicating the enemy and their possessions entirely to destruction. This is an early fulfillment of the command to clear the land of hostile Canaanite presence.

Verse 3

The place name 'Hormah' means 'devotion to destruction,' confirming that Israel carried out the specific terms of their vow after the victory granted by the Lord.

Verse 4

Israel was forced to take a long, arduous detour around Edom (Num 20:14-21). The 'discouragement' (Hebrew: *qatsar*) reflects extreme impatience and despair over the difficult journey.

Verse 5

The people’s complaint is rooted in profound ingratitude. Referring to the manna as 'light bread' (worthless or contemptible food) demonstrates a rejection of God's daily, supernatural provision.

Verse 6

The 'fiery serpents' (*seraphim*) were likely venomous snakes whose bites caused intense burning and inflammation. This judgment was a direct consequence of their speaking 'against God' (blasphemy).

Verse 8

The bronze serpent is a paradoxical instrument of salvation: the image of the source of death becomes the means of life. The cure required an act of obedient faith—looking upon the object.

Verse 9

Jesus later referenced this incident (John 3:14–15), comparing the lifting up of the bronze serpent for healing to his own crucifixion, which provides eternal life to those who look to him in faith.

Verse 13

The Arnon River was a crucial geographical marker, serving as the recognized boundary between the territories of Moab and the Amorites.

Verse 14

The 'Book of the Wars of the LORD' is an ancient, non-canonical source, likely a collection of songs or epic narratives celebrating Yahweh's military victories on behalf of Israel.

Verse 16

The name Beer means 'well.' This incident demonstrates that sometimes God provides miraculously, but often He directs His people to use practical means (digging) to access the promised blessing.

Verse 17

This 'Song of the Well' is a rare example of ancient Hebrew folk poetry preserved within the historical narrative, celebrating the community’s joy in finding water.

Verse 21

Israel follows diplomatic protocol, requesting peaceful passage along the main route, similar to the failed request made to Edom (20:17). This establishes that Sihon was the aggressor.

Verse 24

This victory secured the strategically vital Transjordan plateau (from Arnon to Jabbok), a major step toward entering Canaan proper.

Verse 26

This verse provides geopolitical justification for Israel's actions: they were conquering territory previously seized by Sihon from Moab, not violating the boundary of Moab itself (cf. Deut 2:9).

Verse 27

Verses 27–30 quote a taunt song, likely sung by the Amorites after their victory over Moab. The biblical author includes it to confirm the extent of Sihon’s former power, which Israel decisively overcame.

Verse 33

Og ruled the northernmost part of the Transjordan region. His defeat completes Israel's control over the entire plateau east of the Jordan River.

Verse 34

The divine command 'Fear him not' assures Moses that this victory is guaranteed. Og was known for his great size (Deut 3:11), highlighting that God overcomes all human obstacles.

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