Numbers 21:7

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore the people {H5971} came {H935} to Moses {H4872}, and said {H559}, We have sinned {H2398}, for we have spoken {H1696} against the LORD {H3068}, and against thee; pray {H6419} unto the LORD {H3068}, that he take away {H5493} the serpents {H5175} from us. And Moses {H4872} prayed {H6419} for the people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The people came to Moshe and said, "We sinned by speaking against ADONAI and against you. Pray to ADONAI that he rid us of these snakes." Moshe prayed for the people,

Berean Standard Bible

Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people.

American Standard Version

And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, because we have spoken against Jehovah, and against thee; pray unto Jehovah, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 21:7 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey, chronicling the people's humble confession of sin and their desperate plea for Moses' intercession after being afflicted by a divine judgment of fiery serpents. This verse captures their acknowledgment of rebellion against both the LORD and Moses, leading to Moses' immediate and compassionate prayer on their behalf, thereby setting the stage for God's unique and redemptive provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 21:7 is strategically positioned within a recurring cycle of Israelite rebellion, divine judgment, and subsequent divine provision in the wilderness narrative. Immediately preceding this verse, the Israelites, weary and impatient from their journey after bypassing Edom, "spoke against God and against Moses" (`/numbers/21-5 "Numbers 21:5 - Israel's Complaints"`), expressing contempt for the manna and lamenting the lack of water. In response to this direct challenge to His authority and provision, the LORD sent "fiery serpents" among them, resulting in widespread death (`/numbers/21-6 "Numbers 21:6 - The Fiery Serpents"`). Verse 7 serves as the crucial turning point, depicting the people's confession of sin and their appeal for mediation, which directly precedes God's instruction to Moses to fashion the bronze serpent—a powerful symbol that would become a profound foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work (`/numbers/21-8 "Numbers 21:8 - The Bronze Serpent"`). This sequence underscores the consistent pattern of sin, judgment, repentance, and divine grace that permeates the wilderness account.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the harsh, unforgiving terrain of the wilderness, a challenging environment that continually tested the Israelites' faith and obedience. Their arduous journey from Mount Hor exacerbated their impatience, leading to their grumbling. In the ancient Near East, serpents were often perceived as agents of divine wrath or chaotic forces, and their venomous bites were a common and deadly threat, making this judgment particularly terrifying and effective. As a people in covenant with Yahweh, the Israelites understood that their well-being and survival were directly contingent upon their fidelity to Him. Their complaints were not merely expressions of discomfort but grave violations of the covenant, demonstrating a profound lack of trust in God's leadership and provision. Moses, as God's divinely appointed leader and mediator, occupied a unique position of authority and responsibility, rendering the people's complaints "against thee" a serious affront to divine order.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several foundational theological themes. Firstly, it underscores the **gravity of sin**, particularly grumbling and unbelief, which are depicted as direct offenses against God's sovereignty and His chosen instruments (`/numbers/21-5 "Numbers 21:5 - Complaining Against God"`). Secondly, it highlights the **consequences of disobedience**, as God's righteous judgment is meted out in a tangible, deadly form, demonstrating that sin carries severe repercussions. Thirdly, the passage emphasizes the indispensable **role of intercession**, with Moses faithfully standing in the gap for a rebellious people, mirroring his consistent mediatorial work throughout the wilderness period (`/exodus/32-11 "Exodus 32:11 - Moses' Intercession"`). Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **divine mercy in judgment**, as God, though provoked, remains open to the confession and prayer of His people, paving the way for a miraculous deliverance that points beyond itself to a greater, ultimate salvation (`/numbers/21-8 "Numbers 21:8 - God's Provision"`).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sinned (Hebrew, _châṭâʼ_):** This primitive root literally means "to miss the mark," "to fall short," or "to go astray." In a theological context, it signifies a deviation from God's revealed will, a transgression against His commands, or a failure to live up to the covenant relationship. Here, it denotes a conscious and culpable act of rebellion against both divine authority ("against the LORD") and human leadership ("against thee," referring to Moses). It is an admission of guilt, acknowledging that their complaints were not mere frustrations but deliberate offenses against God's established order.
* **spoken (Hebrew, _dâbar_):** While the full phrase is "spoken against," the root `dâbar` primarily means "to arrange" or "to speak." In this context, when combined with "against," it carries a strong connotation of opposition, accusation, or defamation. It is more than just grumbling; it implies a direct challenge to authority, a public declaration of discontent that actively undermines the leadership of God and Moses. This highlights the severity of their complaints, equating their murmuring with a direct verbal assault against the divine and His representative.
* **prayed (Hebrew, _pâlal_):** This primitive root means "to judge (officially or mentally)" and, by extension, "to intercede" or "to pray." It describes Moses' immediate and selfless act of standing between God's wrath and the people's sin. This is not a casual request but a fervent plea on behalf of others, demonstrating Moses' unwavering commitment to his role as a mediator and his deep compassion for the very people who had just maligned him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore the people came to Moses, and said,"**: This opening clause establishes the immediate and compelling consequence of God's judgment. The severe affliction of the fiery serpents (`/numbers/21-6 "Numbers 21:6 - The Fiery Serpents"`), which had caused widespread death and suffering, finally broke the people's rebellious spirit and compelled them to seek out their leader. Their approach to Moses signifies a recognition of his mediatorial role and their desperate need for divine intervention, acknowledging that only through him could they approach God.
* **"We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee;"**: This is a crucial and explicit confession of sin. The people acknowledge their wrongdoing, identifying the specific nature of their transgression: speaking "against the LORD" (a direct offense against God's sovereignty, provision, and covenant faithfulness) and "against thee" (a rejection of Moses' divinely appointed leadership and a challenge to his authority). This dual confession indicates a deeper understanding of their rebellion, recognizing that their complaints were not merely about physical discomfort but were rooted in a profound lack of trust and respect for divine authority and its human representation.
* **"pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us."**: Having confessed their sin, the people turn to Moses with a clear and urgent plea for intercession. They understand that only through Moses' mediation can they hope for relief from the deadly judgment. Their request is specific: the removal of the serpents, which are the tangible manifestation of God's wrath and the immediate cause of their suffering. This demonstrates their desire for immediate deliverance from the consequences of their sin, acknowledging their utter helplessness without divine intervention.
* **"And Moses prayed for the people."**: This final clause highlights Moses' faithful, compassionate, and unwavering response. Despite being the direct target of their complaints and rebellion, Moses does not hesitate or harbor resentment. His immediate act of prayer underscores his consistent role as an intercessor for Israel, demonstrating his selflessness and profound commitment to God's covenant people. This act of mediation is central to the narrative, providing the necessary bridge for God's subsequent provision of salvation and healing.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Juxtaposition** is evident in the stark contrast between the Israelites' prior grumbling and their subsequent humble confession, highlighting the transformative power of divine judgment in bringing about repentance. The narrative also utilizes **Dramatic Irony**, as Moses, the very figure against whom the people had spoken and rebelled, becomes their sole hope for deliverance through his intercession. This underscores the depth of Moses' character and God's consistent use of His chosen, even when maligned. Furthermore, the passage contains strong **Foreshadowing**, as Moses' intercession and the subsequent divine instruction regarding the bronze serpent (`/numbers/21-8 "Numbers 21:8 - The Bronze Serpent"`), though a specific remedy for a specific crisis, clearly anticipate a greater, universal salvation to be achieved through a divinely appointed mediator who would be "lifted up." The **Repetition** of the concept of "speaking against" (explicitly in `/numbers/21-5 "Numbers 21:5 - Israel's Complaining"` and implicitly confessed in `/numbers/21-7 "Numbers 21:7 - The People's Confession"`) emphasizes the gravity and pervasive nature of their sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 21:7 stands as a powerful testament to the enduring principles of sin, judgment, repentance, and divine mercy. It illustrates that God's holiness demands a response to human rebellion, yet His character is also marked by a profound willingness to hear the contrite heart. The people's confession, though prompted by severe judgment, is a necessary step towards restoration, demonstrating that true repentance involves acknowledging specific wrongdoing and seeking a mediator. Moses' immediate and selfless intercession highlights the biblical pattern of mediation, where a righteous individual stands between a holy God and a sinful people, paving the way for grace and reconciliation. This event, therefore, is not merely a historical anecdote but a profound theological lesson on the nature of God's justice, the pathway to reconciliation, and the vital role of intercessory prayer in the life of faith.

* [Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11-14 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses' Intercession for Israel")
* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")
* [Psalm 32:5](/psalms/32-5 "Psalm 32:5 - Confession and Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 21:7 offers profound insights for believers today, serving as a stark reminder that our complaints, grumbling, and discontent, often dismissed as minor annoyances, can be profound expressions of unbelief and direct offenses against God's sovereignty and His appointed leadership. True spiritual health begins with a humble and specific acknowledgment of our sin, recognizing that our rebellion is not just against circumstances or people, but ultimately "against the LORD." Just as the Israelites were compelled by the severe consequences of their sin to seek Moses' intercession, we too are called to confess our wrongdoing and seek God's mercy through prayer, trusting in His compassionate response. Furthermore, Moses' immediate and selfless act of prayer for those who had wronged him challenges us to embrace our own calling to intercessory prayer, standing in the gap for others, especially those who are suffering or have strayed. This passage encourages us to cultivate a posture of humility, quick repentance, and persistent prayer, knowing that God's judgment, while severe, often serves as a catalyst for genuine transformation and a pathway to His gracious provision and healing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my own "grumbling" or complaints reflect a deeper distrust in God's provision or a challenge to His authority?**
* **What does it mean for me to "confess" my sin, beyond a general acknowledgment, and how does this verse encourage specific confession?**
* **How does Moses' immediate prayer for those who had wronged him challenge my own willingness to intercede for others, even those who are difficult?**
* **How do I respond when I experience the "consequences" of my own disobedience, and does it lead me to genuine repentance and seeking God's mercy?**

### FAQ
**Why did God send serpents as a judgment?**

Answer: God sent "fiery serpents" (likely venomous snakes whose bites caused intense burning pain and inflammation) as a direct, tangible consequence for the Israelites' persistent grumbling and rebellion against Him and Moses. This judgment served multiple purposes: it was a righteous display of God's holiness and His intolerance for sin, a severe chastisement designed to humble the people and bring them to repentance, and a stark reminder that their lives and well-being were entirely dependent on their obedience and trust in Him. The severity of the punishment underscored the gravity of their sin, which was not merely physical discomfort but a profound spiritual rebellion against their covenant Lord, as detailed in `/numbers/21-5-6 "Numbers 21:5-6 - Israel's Rebellion and Judgment"`.

**Was the Israelites' confession of sin genuine, or simply a reaction to the judgment?**

Answer: While it is true that their confession was prompted by the severe consequences of the serpent bites (`/numbers/21-6 "Numbers 21:6 - The Fiery Serpents"`), the text indicates a genuine, albeit reactive, acknowledgment of their wrongdoing. They explicitly state, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee." This specific confession, identifying both God and Moses as the offended parties, suggests more than just a desire for relief; it implies a recognition of the spiritual nature of their offense. Furthermore, God's subsequent provision of the bronze serpent (`/numbers/21-8 "Numbers 21:8 - The Bronze Serpent"`) in response to their confession and Moses' prayer suggests that their repentance, at least in this moment, was sufficient for God to extend His mercy and provide a way for healing.

**What is the significance of Moses' immediate prayer for the people?**

Answer: Moses' immediate prayer for the people, despite being the target of their complaints, is profoundly significant. It highlights his unwavering commitment to his role as God's chosen mediator and shepherd of Israel. His intercession demonstrates his deep compassion, selflessness, and faithfulness to God's covenant. This act underscores the vital biblical principle of intercessory prayer, where a righteous individual stands in the gap for others, appealing to God's mercy. Moses' consistent role as an intercessor, seen throughout the wilderness narrative (e.g., after the Golden Calf incident in `/exodus/32-11 "Exodus 32:11 - Moses' Intercession for Israel"`), prefigures the ultimate intercessory work of Jesus Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 21:7, with its narrative of sin, judgment, confession, and intercession, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Moses, as the faithful intercessor who stood between a holy God and a sinful people, prefigures Christ, who is the one true Mediator between God and humanity (`/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator Between God and Man"`). Just as the Israelites confessed their sin and pleaded for Moses' prayer to remove the deadly serpents, humanity, afflicted by the venom of sin and facing spiritual death, must confess its rebellion and look to Christ for salvation. The subsequent provision of the bronze serpent (`/numbers/21-8 "Numbers 21:8 - The Bronze Serpent"`), which brought healing to those who looked upon it, is explicitly interpreted by Jesus Himself as a type of His own crucifixion: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life" (`/john/3-14-15 "John 3:14-15 - Jesus and the Bronze Serpent"`). Christ, though sinless, became sin for us (`/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"`), taking the full judgment for our rebellion upon Himself on the cross. Through His atoning sacrifice, He provides the ultimate remedy for sin's deadly bite, offering not just physical healing but eternal life to all who look to Him in faith. His ongoing intercession at the right hand of God (`/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession"`) ensures that those who come to God through Him receive mercy and grace, fulfilling Moses' mediatorial role in a perfect and everlasting way.

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

Acts 8:24

Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Psalms 78:34

When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.

Numbers 11:2

And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched.

Exodus 8:8

Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.

Exodus 8:28

And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me.

1 Kings 13:6

And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as [it was] before.

1 Samuel 15:24

¶ And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.