Numbers 21:29

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Woe {H188} to thee, Moab {H4124}! thou art undone {H6}, O people {H5971} of Chemosh {H3645}: he hath given {H5414} his sons {H1121} that escaped {H6412}, and his daughters {H1323}, into captivity {H7622} unto Sihon {H5511} king {H4428} of the Amorites {H567}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Woe to you, Mo'av! You are destroyed, people of K'mosh! He let his sons be fugitives and his daughters captives of Sichon, king of the Emori.

Berean Standard Bible

Woe to you, O Moab! You are destroyed, O people of Chemosh! He gave up his sons as refugees, and his daughters into captivity to Sihon king of the Amorites.

American Standard Version

Woe to thee, Moab! Thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: He hath given his sons as fugitives, And his daughters into captivity, Unto Sihon king of the Amorites.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 21:29 is a profound lament and taunt-song, an ancient proverb recited by the Israelites following their decisive victory over Sihon, king of the Amorites. This verse pronounces a devastating "woe" upon Moab, declaring their utter ruin and exposing the abject failure of their national god, Chemosh, to protect them from Sihon's earlier conquest. It serves as a powerful theological polemic, underscoring the impotence of pagan deities in stark contrast to the sovereign and triumphant power of the Lord God of Israel, who orchestrated the defeat of both Sihon and, by extension, exposed the profound weakness of Moab's false god.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 21:29 is an integral part of the "Song of Heshbon" (Numbers 21:27-30), an ancient taunt-song or proverb that the Israelites quote. This song immediately follows Israel's significant military triumph over Sihon, king of the Amorites, who had refused them passage and initiated hostilities (Numbers 21:21-26). The inclusion of this song serves a dual purpose: it is a celebratory declaration of Israel's divinely-granted victory, and it highlights that Sihon, the very king Israel just defeated, had himself previously conquered Moab and captured its people. By quoting this pre-existing song, the Israelites amplify Yahweh's power, demonstrating His supremacy not only over Sihon but also, implicitly, over the Moabite god Chemosh, who failed to protect his devotees from Sihon. The "woe" in verse 29 is thus a prophetic lament, emphasizing Moab's prior humiliation and the futility of their trust in Chemosh.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This passage is situated during Israel's wilderness wanderings as they draw near to the Promised Land, specifically in the Transjordan region. The Amorites, under King Sihon, had established a formidable kingdom east of the Jordan River, having conquered significant territory, including the former Moabite capital of Heshbon. Moab, a neighboring nation and often an adversary of Israel, was deeply devoted to Chemosh, their national god, who was widely associated with warfare and, at times, human sacrifice, as tragically illustrated in [2 Kings 3:27](/2_kings/3-27 "2 Kings 3:27 - Moabite King Sacrifices Son to Chemosh"). In the ancient Near East, a nation's god was believed to be its divine warrior, fighting on its behalf. Consequently, a nation's military defeat was frequently interpreted as a defeat or demonstration of weakness on the part of its deity. The devastating act of taking "sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity" was a common and profound consequence of military conquest, symbolizing utter humiliation, the loss of future generations, and the complete subjugation of a people.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 21:29 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes evident throughout the book of Numbers and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it starkly illustrates **The Futility of Idolatry**, contrasting the demonstrable powerlessness of Chemosh to protect his people with the consistent, active deliverance provided by Yahweh, the God of Israel. Secondly, the verse underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, revealing that God's hand is intricately involved in the affairs of all nations, even using pagan kings like Sihon as instruments to bring judgment upon idolatrous peoples. This theme resonates throughout the Old Testament, foreshadowing later divine judgments against Moab recorded in prophetic books such as [Isaiah 15](/isaiah/15 "Isaiah 15 - Prophecy Against Moab") and [Jeremiah 48](/jeremiah/48 "Jeremiah 48 - Prophecy Against Moab"). Thirdly, it reinforces **Israel's Triumphant Vindication** as God's chosen people, whose God is unequivocally superior to all other deities. Finally, the declaration "thou art undone" encapsulates the theme of **A Nation Undone**, vividly portraying the devastating consequences of misplaced trust in false gods and implicit opposition to the divine will, even through their prior defeat by an enemy of Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woe (Hebrew, _ʼôwy'_):** This interjection, derived from a root suggesting a cry of lament, functions as a powerful pronouncement of doom or a prophetic curse. It signals impending judgment or profound sorrow over a catastrophic event. Here, it conveys a sense of tragic finality for Moab, not necessarily pity, but a declaration of their deserved ruin and the dire consequences of their idolatry.
* **Chemosh (Hebrew, _Kᵉmôwsh'_):** The national god of Moab, venerated with fierce devotion and believed to be a powerful war deity who granted victory in battle and protected the nation. His mention in this verse is a direct theological polemic: it highlights the active, victorious nature of the God of Israel, while portraying Chemosh as a powerless, failing deity utterly incapable of protecting his devotees from the very enemy Israel has just vanquished. This stark contrast underscores the absolute supremacy of Yahweh.
* **Undone (Hebrew, _ʼâbad'_):** This primitive root signifies to wander away, lose oneself, and by implication, to perish, be ruined, or be destroyed. In this context, it vividly describes Moab's complete and utter defeat, signifying that their national identity, strength, and future prospects have been annihilated by Sihon. It speaks to a state of irreversible desolation and loss, particularly in light of their god's inability to save them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Woe to thee, Moab!":** This opening exclamation serves as a solemn prophetic lament and a direct pronouncement of judgment. It is an immediate and forceful address, declaring a curse or an impending doom upon the nation of Moab, marking them as a people destined for ruin and divine disfavor.
* **"thou art undone, O people of Chemosh:":** Following the initial "woe," this clause specifies the nature of Moab's dire predicament: they are utterly ruined, destroyed, or lost. Crucially, their demise is inextricably linked to their identity as "people of Chemosh," implying that their national god has spectacularly failed them, proving utterly impotent to prevent their catastrophe and highlighting the emptiness of their devotion.
* **"he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.":** This final clause provides the concrete, devastating evidence of Chemosh's failure and Moab's ruin. The "he" refers to Chemosh, who, in this powerful polemical statement, is depicted as having "given" his own people—even those who survived the initial battle—into the hands of Sihon. This highlights the absolute impotence of Chemosh, who could not protect his most vulnerable followers from being taken captive by the very king whom Israel has now decisively defeated, thus magnifying Yahweh's power.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 21:29 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its message. It functions as a **Lament/Taunt Song**, a common ancient Near Eastern literary form used to mock defeated enemies and their gods, while simultaneously exalting the victor and their deity. The opening pronouncement of "Woe" is a form of **Prophetic Utterance**, carrying divine authority and foretelling judgment, often implying a deserved consequence. There is a strong element of **Irony** at play: Israel celebrates its victory over Sihon, who had previously conquered Moab, thereby highlighting Moab's double humiliation and the utter impotence of Chemosh. The phrase "he hath given his sons..." uses **Personification** to attribute agency to Chemosh, but in a way that profoundly underscores his failure—he "gave" them up, not as an act of power, but as a demonstration of profound weakness and inability to protect. This also creates a powerful **Polemic** against Chemosh, directly challenging his power and deity in stark contrast to the omnipotence and active sovereignty of Yahweh.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 21:29 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of true deity and the inherent futility of idolatry. It unequivocally declares the supremacy of Yahweh, the God of Israel, over all false gods, particularly Chemosh, the national deity of Moab. The inability of Chemosh to protect his own people from captivity stands in stark contrast to the Lord's consistent deliverance and powerful protection of Israel. This narrative reinforces the timeless biblical truth that placing one's ultimate trust in anything or anyone other than the one true God inevitably leads to spiritual and often physical ruin. God's absolute sovereignty is also vividly displayed, as He uses even pagan kings like Sihon as instruments of His divine judgment, demonstrating His ultimate control over the destinies of nations. This serves as a timeless warning against misplaced trust and a compelling call to exclusive, unwavering devotion to the Lord alone.

* [Deuteronomy 32:21](/deuteronomy/32-21 "Deuteronomy 32:21 - God's Jealousy Over Idolatry")
* [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9-20 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry")
* [Psalm 115:3-8](/psalm/115-3-8 "Psalm 115:3-8 - Our God is in the Heavens")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 21:29, though deeply rooted in an ancient historical context, carries a timeless spiritual warning for all generations. The "woe" pronounced upon Moab for their reliance on Chemosh serves as a powerful reminder that any form of idolatry—whether the worship of physical idols, the relentless pursuit of wealth, power, status, self-gratification, or even the elevation of relationships or security above God—will ultimately prove insufficient and lead to spiritual emptiness, profound disillusionment, or a form of spiritual "captivity." Just as Chemosh could not deliver his people from Sihon, so too will our modern "gods" fail to deliver us from the ultimate consequences of sin or the inevitable trials of life. This verse calls us to a profound self-examination, compelling us to identify what truly holds the highest place in our affections, trust, and ultimate allegiance. It urges us to repent of any misplaced allegiances and to place our complete and unwavering trust in the one true God, who alone possesses the power to deliver, protect, and provide true meaning, security, and eternal life. Our ultimate well-being and flourishing are found only in exclusive devotion to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "Chemosh" figures in my life today that subtly or overtly demand my ultimate loyalty, trust, or devotion, competing with God?**
* **How does the failure of Moab's god to protect his people challenge my own misplaced trusts or sources of security outside of God?**
* **In what specific areas of my life do I need to re-evaluate my priorities and intentionally place God alone on the throne, demonstrating my exclusive and unwavering devotion to Him?**

### FAQ
**Why is Israel singing about Moab's defeat by Sihon, when Israel just defeated Sihon?**

Answer: The "Song of Heshbon," from which Numbers 21:29 is taken, is a triumphant declaration recited by the Israelites after their victory over Sihon. The song's purpose is not merely to celebrate Israel's direct conquest of Sihon, but also to magnify the power of Yahweh by demonstrating that Sihon, whom Israel just defeated, was himself a mighty conqueror who had previously subdued Moab. By highlighting Moab's prior defeat and the impotence of their god Chemosh at Sihon's hands, the song underscores the even greater power of the God of Israel, who delivered Sihon into *their* hands. It functions as a theological polemic, showing that if Chemosh couldn't save Moab from Sihon, how much more glorious is Yahweh, who conquered Sihon himself and delivered His people!

**What was the significance of Chemosh to the Moabites?**

Answer: Chemosh was the national god of the Moabites, central to their identity and religious practices. He was primarily a war deity, believed to be the source of Moab's military strength and the protector of their land. Moabite kings would often attribute their victories to Chemosh, and his worship sometimes involved extreme practices, including human sacrifice. This is dramatically illustrated when the king of Moab offered his firstborn son as a burnt offering to Chemosh in a desperate attempt to turn the tide of battle against Israel ([2 Kings 3:27](/2_kings/3-27 "2 Kings 3:27 - Moabite King Sacrifices Son to Chemosh")). Therefore, Chemosh's failure to protect Moab from Sihon, as described in [Numbers 21:29](/numbers/21-29 "Numbers 21:29 - Woe to Moab"), was a profound theological humiliation for the Moabites and a powerful affirmation of Yahweh's absolute supremacy over all pagan deities.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The lament over Moab's ruin and the impotence of Chemosh in [Numbers 21:29](/numbers/21-29 "Numbers 21:29 - Woe to Moab") finds its ultimate resolution and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The abject failure of Chemosh to deliver his people from physical captivity foreshadows the inherent inability of any false god, human ideology, or worldly endeavor to deliver humanity from the spiritual captivity of sin, death, and the dominion of evil. Christ, however, stands as the true and ultimate Deliverer. Unlike Chemosh, who is depicted as having "given his sons... into captivity" through his powerlessness, Jesus Christ, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly gave Himself as a perfect sacrifice, not to condemn, but to set His people eternally free from their spiritual bondage. He decisively disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities that hold humanity captive, triumphing over them by His cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Where false gods fail, Christ conquers sin and death, utterly destroying "him who has the power of death, that is, the devil" ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ Destroys the Power of Death")). In Him, we find the true King and Protector, who delivers us not into captivity, but into glorious freedom, abundant life, and eternal salvation, fulfilling the promise of a God who truly saves His people from every form of spiritual "woe" ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Freedom in Christ")).

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

Jeremiah 48:46

Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives.

Judges 11:24

Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever the LORD our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess.

2 Kings 23:13

And the high places that [were] before Jerusalem, which [were] on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.

1 Kings 11:7

Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that [is] before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

1 Kings 11:33

Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do [that which is] right in mine eyes, and [to keep] my statutes and my judgments, as [did] David his father.

Jeremiah 48:7

For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity [with] his priests and his princes together.

Jeremiah 48:13

And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence.