Numbers 21:17

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 21:17 captures a profound moment of spontaneous joy and communal worship as the Israelites, weary from their wilderness journey, discover a much-needed well. This verse records the "Song of the Well," a brief but powerful anthem of gratitude sung collectively by the people, celebrating God's timely and life-sustaining provision of water in the arid desert. It stands as a testament to divine faithfulness amidst human struggle and a vibrant expression of thanksgiving, marking a significant shift from previous periods of complaint to one of heartfelt praise.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 21:17 is situated within a tumultuous period of Israel's wilderness wanderings, specifically following their detour around Edom and the subsequent encounters with various challenges. Immediately preceding this verse, the narrative recounts the severe judgment of fiery serpents upon the complaining Israelites and God's merciful provision of healing through the [bronze serpent](/numbers/21-9 "Numbers 21:9 - The Bronze Serpent"). This divine intervention highlights God's persistent care even in the face of human rebellion. The discovery of the well and the spontaneous song mark a significant shift from the previous atmosphere of grumbling and judgment to one of relief, joy, and communal praise, underscoring God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people. The verses following this song ([Numbers 21:18-20](/numbers/21-18-20 "Numbers 21:18-20 - Israel's Further Journeys")) detail the continuation of their journey and further instances of God's guidance, positioning this song as a brief but potent interlude of celebration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The wilderness journey of the Israelites, spanning forty years, was characterized by extreme environmental challenges, primarily the scarcity of water and food in the arid Sinai and Negev deserts. Water was not merely a convenience but an absolute necessity for survival for a vast multitude of people and their livestock. In ancient Near Eastern nomadic cultures, the discovery of a reliable water source, especially a well (a man-made excavation), was an occasion for immense celebration and often a critical factor in determining travel routes and encampment sites. Songs and poetic expressions were common forms of communal response to significant events, whether victories in battle or acts of divine provision, serving to reinforce collective memory and identity. This spontaneous song reflects a deeply ingrained cultural practice of expressing profound emotion and gratitude through shared vocalization, particularly in response to life-sustaining miracles.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent in the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. Primarily, it underscores **Divine Provision**, demonstrating God's consistent and often miraculous supply of Israel's fundamental needs, even in the most desolate environments, as seen previously with the [manna](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna and Quail") and water from the [rock at Rephidim](/exodus/17-6 "Exodus 17:6 - Water from the Rock"). Second, it highlights the **Human Response to Divine Blessing**, contrasting the Israelites' frequent complaints and lack of faith with this moment of unadulterated joy and gratitude, signifying a temporary but significant spiritual turning point. Third, the communal singing emphasizes **Corporate Worship and Celebration**, illustrating how shared experiences of God's goodness foster unity and reinforce collective faith. Finally, the well itself, as a source of life in a barren land, subtly points to the theme of **Spiritual Refreshment and Hope**, a motif that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament concept of "living water" offered by Christ, as articulated in [John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus Offers Living Water").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Spring up (Hebrew, _ʻâlâh'_):** From the primitive root H5927, meaning "to ascend," "to rise," or "to go up." In this imperative form, it functions as an eager, expectant command or cry for the well's water to rise to the surface. It conveys a sense of anticipation and perhaps even a communal invocation, reflecting the people's deep longing for water and their faith that it would indeed emerge, transforming a desperate need into an active plea.
* **Well (Hebrew, _bᵉʼêr'_):** From H875, referring to a pit or a dug well. This term specifically denotes a man-made excavation for drawing water, distinguishing it from a natural spring. The use of this word emphasizes the tangible, physical nature of the provision, which, though dug by human hands, was clearly a divinely guided discovery. The location itself is also named Beer ([Numbers 21:16](/numbers/21-16 "Numbers 21:16 - Israel Comes to Beer")), creating a clever wordplay that links the place directly to the source of their refreshment.
* **Sing (Hebrew, _ʻânâh'_):** From the primitive root H6030, meaning "to heed," "to respond," "to begin to speak," or "to sing." Here, it is an imperative call to communal vocalization, specifically to sing in response to the well's springing up. It denotes a collective act of praise and celebration, transforming the discovery of water into a moment of worship directed towards the source of the blessing, ultimately God Himself, through the tangible gift.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Israel sang this song":** This phrase marks a pivotal shift in the narrative. After periods of murmuring, rebellion, and divine judgment, the people collectively respond with an act of spontaneous joy and thanksgiving. The "song" (שִׁירָה, _shirah_) indicates a poetic and celebratory utterance, reflecting a deep emotional release and communal expression of gratitude. It highlights a rare moment of unity and positive spiritual response from the nation, a collective outpouring of relief and praise.
* **"Spring up, O well;":** This is the opening line of the song itself, a direct address to the well. The imperative "Spring up" (עֲלִי, _‘ali_) is both a fervent wish and a confident expectation that water will indeed rise. It suggests an active engagement with the divine provision, not merely passive reception, but an eager anticipation and perhaps even a symbolic urging of the life-giving water to appear. This phrase embodies their immediate need and their hope, demonstrating their faith in God's ability to provide.
* **"sing ye unto it:":** This is a communal instruction or invitation within the song itself, calling all of Israel to join in the celebration directed towards the well. It signifies that the act of praise is not individual but collective, reinforcing the shared experience of God's provision and the communal bond forged through worship. The "it" refers to the well, but by extension, it is an act of thanksgiving directed towards the God who provided the well, acknowledging His hand in the miracle.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 21:17 employs several potent literary devices that enrich its meaning and emotional impact. The most prominent is **Spontaneous Poetry/Song**, indicating a departure from narrative prose into a direct, emotional, and rhythmic expression of the people's immediate experience. This song serves as a powerful literary marker, highlighting the significance of the event and the depth of the Israelites' relief and joy. There is also a clear instance of **Wordplay** with the Hebrew term _b'er_ (well), which is also the name of the place where this event occurred ([Numbers 21:16](/numbers/21-16 "Numbers 21:16 - Israel Comes to Beer")), creating a clever linguistic connection between the location and the life-giving resource. The imperative "Spring up, O well" can be seen as a form of **Apostrophe**, a direct address to an inanimate object (the well), imbuing it with a sense of responsiveness or agency, as if it can hear and obey the command. This contributes to the vividness and emotional intensity of the scene, reflecting the people's desperate hope. Furthermore, the entire scene functions as a **Contrast** to the preceding narrative of complaint and judgment, emphasizing God's enduring mercy and the Israelites' capacity for gratitude, even if fleeting, showcasing a moment of spiritual renewal amidst their wilderness trials.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 21:17 beautifully illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness and His commitment to sustaining His covenant people, even when they are undeserving. This moment of joyous provision in the wilderness echoes earlier instances of God supplying their needs, reinforcing the theological truth that God is the ultimate source of all life and sustenance. It underscores the theme of divine grace, where blessings are bestowed not based on human merit but on God's steadfast character and covenant promises. The song itself serves as a model for how humanity ought to respond to divine goodness: with spontaneous, communal, and heartfelt gratitude, transforming a moment of physical relief into an act of worship. This passage reminds us that even in the most desolate circumstances, God is present and capable of providing refreshment, both physical and spiritual, demonstrating His providential care.

* [Exodus 17:6](/exodus/17-6 "Exodus 17:6 - Water from the Rock at Horeb")
* [Psalm 107:35](/psalms/107-35 "Psalm 107:35 - God Turns Desert into Water Springs")
* [Isaiah 41:17-18](/isaiah/41-17-18 "Isaiah 41:17-18 - God Provides Water in the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 21:17 offers a timeless lesson on the power of gratitude and the importance of recognizing God's provision in our lives. In a world often characterized by complaint and dissatisfaction, this verse calls us to cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving, celebrating the "wells" God provides, whether they are physical necessities, unexpected blessings, or moments of spiritual refreshment. It reminds us that even in our personal "wildernesses"—periods of desolation, trial, or uncertainty—God is capable of bringing forth life and joy from seemingly barren ground. The communal nature of the song also encourages us to share our gratitude with others, fostering a collective spirit of worship and reinforcing our shared faith in God's goodness. When we acknowledge God's constant care, our perspective shifts from scarcity to abundance, and our hearts are filled with hope, even amidst ongoing challenges, empowering us to face future trials with greater trust.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "wells" has God provided in your life, especially during challenging or "wilderness" periods?**
* **How can you cultivate a more spontaneous and heartfelt spirit of gratitude in your daily life, even for seemingly small provisions?**
* **What role does communal celebration and worship play in your faith journey, and how can you participate more fully in it?**
* **How does recognizing God's past faithfulness, as seen in this verse, strengthen your trust in His provision for your future?**

### FAQ
**Why did Israel sing to the well, and not directly to God?**

Answer: While the song is addressed to the well ("Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:"), it is implicitly an act of worship and gratitude directed towards God, who is the ultimate provider of the well. In ancient Israelite thought, blessings like water were understood as direct gifts from Yahweh. Singing to the well was a way of celebrating the tangible manifestation of God's goodness and acknowledging the miracle of its appearance. It's similar to praising a beautiful sunrise; while the praise is directed at the sun, the ultimate adoration is for the Creator. This communal expression transformed a physical discovery into a spiritual celebration of divine faithfulness, acknowledging that the well was a direct sign of God's presence and care for His people in their desperate need, as recorded in [Numbers 21:16-18](/numbers/21-16-18 "Numbers 21:16-18 - The Well at Beer").

**Is this the only song recorded in Numbers?**

Answer: No, while the "Song of the Well" is a brief and unique spontaneous outburst, Numbers also contains other poetic sections and songs. For instance, the book includes the oracles of Balaam (e.g., [Numbers 23:7-10](/numbers/23-7-10 "Numbers 23:7-10 - Balaam's First Oracle")), which are poetic in form, and the "Song of Moses" is found in [Deuteronomy 32](/deuteronomy/32 "Deuteronomy 32 - The Song of Moses"), which is the culmination of the wilderness journey narrative. This particular song in [Numbers 21:17](/numbers/21-17 "Numbers 21:17 - The Song of the Well") stands out for its brevity and its immediate, joyful response to a specific act of divine provision, contrasting sharply with the preceding complaints of the people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 21:17, with its depiction of a physical well providing life-sustaining water in the wilderness, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate spiritual provision found in Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelites thirsted in the desert and found relief in the well, humanity thirsts for spiritual satisfaction and finds it exclusively in Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'" ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")). He is the true "well" that springs up with eternal life, offering a satisfaction that transcends physical needs. The Samaritan woman at the well experienced this when Jesus offered her "water that will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus Offers Living Water to the Samaritan Woman")). The physical water of [Numbers 21:17](/numbers/21-17 "Numbers 21:17 - The Song of the Well") was a temporary provision for a physical journey; Christ, the living water, is the eternal provision for the soul's deepest thirst, guiding believers through their spiritual wilderness and leading them to the "springs of the water of life" in the new creation ([Revelation 21:6](/revelation/21-6 "Revelation 21:6 - The Water of Life") and [Revelation 22:1](/revelation/22-1 "Revelation 22:1 - River of the Water of Life")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's wilderness provision, the source of unending spiritual refreshment for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 5:1

¶ Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,

Isaiah 12:5

Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this [is] known in all the earth.

Psalms 105:2

Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.

Psalms 106:12

Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.

Isaiah 12:1

¶ And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.

Isaiah 12:2

Behold, God [is] my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH [is] my strength and [my] song; he also is become my salvation.

James 5:13

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.