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.

Israel Defeats King Arad

1
The Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the South, heard that Israel came by the way of Atharim. He fought against Israel, and took some of them captive. ​
2
Israel vowed a vow to the LORD, and said, “If you will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.” ​
3
The LORD listened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities. The name of the place was called Hormah. ​

The Plague of Fiery Serpents

4
They traveled from Mount Hor by the way to the Sea of Suf, to go around the land of Edom The soul of the people was very discouraged because of the journey. ​
5
The people spoke against God, and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, and there is no water; and our soul loathes this light bread.” ​
6
The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people. Many people of Israel died. ​
7
The people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD, and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” Moses prayed for the people.
8
The LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole. It shall happen, that everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” ​
9
Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it on the pole. If a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked at the serpent of brass, he lived. ​

Israel's Journey Continues

10
The children of Israel traveled, and encamped in Oboth.
11
They traveled from Oboth, and encamped at Iyeabarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrise.
12
From there they traveled, and encamped in the valley of Zered.
13
From there they traveled, and encamped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness, that comes out of the border of the Amorites: for the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. ​
14
Therefore it is said in the book of the Wars of the LORD, “Vaheb in Suphah, the valleys of the Arnon, ​
15
the slope of the valleys that incline toward the dwelling of Ar, leans on the border of Moab.”
16
From there they traveled to Beer; that is the well of which the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people together, and I will give them water.” ​
17
Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, well! Sing to it, ​
18
the well, which the princes dug, which the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter, and with their poles.” From the wilderness they traveled to Mattanah;
19
and from Mattanah to Nahaliel; and from Nahaliel to Bamoth;
20
and from Bamoth to the valley that is in the field of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looks down on the desert.

Conquest of Sihon, King of the Amorites

21
Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, ​
22
“Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into field, or into vineyard. We will not drink of the water of the wells. We will go by the king’s highway, until we have passed your border.”
23
Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his border, but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness, and came to Jahaz. He fought against Israel.
24
Israel struck him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, even to the children of Ammon; for the border of the children of Ammon was strong. ​
25
Israel took all these cities. Israel lived in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all its towns.
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 to the Arnon. ​
27
Therefore those who speak in proverbs say, “Come to Heshbon. Let the city of Sihon be built and established; ​
28
for a fire has gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon. It has devoured Ar of Moab, The lords of the high places of the Arnon.
29
Woe to you, Moab! You are undone, people of Chemosh! He has given his sons as fugitives, and his daughters into captivity, to Sihon king of the Amorites.
30
We have shot at them. Heshbon has perished even to Dibon. We have laid waste even to Nophah, Which reaches to Medeba.”
31
Thus Israel lived in the land of the Amorites.
32
Moses sent to spy out Jazer. They took its towns, and drove out the Amorites who were there.

Conquest of Og, King of Bashan

33
They turned and went up by the way of Bashan. Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. ​
34
The LORD said to Moses, “Don’t fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, with all his people, and his land. You shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.” ​
35
So they struck him, with his sons and all his people, until there were no survivors; 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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