Numbers 21:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} made {H6213} a serpent {H5175} of brass {H5178}, and put {H7760} it upon a pole {H5251}, and it came to pass, that if a serpent {H5175} had bitten {H5391} any man {H376}, when he beheld {H5027} the serpent {H5175} of brass {H5178}, he lived {H2425}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe made a bronze snake and put it on the pole; if a snake had bitten someone, then, when he looked toward the bronze snake, he stayed alive.

Berean Standard Bible

So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live.

American Standard Version

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it upon the standard: and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 21:9 describes the miraculous outcome of God's provision for the sinning Israelites in the wilderness. After complaining against God and Moses, the people were afflicted by venomous "fiery serpents," leading to many deaths. In response to their repentance and Moses' intercession, God commanded Moses to fashion a bronze serpent and place it on a pole. This verse records the immediate and life-saving fulfillment of that divine instruction: anyone bitten by a serpent who looked upon the bronze serpent lived, demonstrating God's sovereign power to bring healing and salvation through a seemingly counterintuitive act of faith and obedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 21:9 concludes a pivotal episode (Numbers 21:4-9) within the broader narrative of Israel's wilderness wanderings, specifically following their detour around Edom and their journey from Mount Hor. Immediately prior to this verse, the Israelites, weary and impatient, "spoke against God and against Moses," complaining about the lack of food and water and expressing contempt for the "worthless bread" (manna) ([Numbers 21:4-5](/numbers/21-4 "Numbers 21:4-5 - Israel's Complaints and Weariness")). This rebellion provoked divine judgment, as the Lord sent "fiery serpents" among them, whose bites caused widespread suffering and death ([Numbers 21:6](/numbers/21-6 "Numbers 21:6 - The Fiery Serpents")). When the people confessed their sin and pleaded with Moses to intercede, God, in His mercy, instructed Moses to "make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live" ([Numbers 21:7-8](/numbers/21-7 "Numbers 21:7-8 - God's Command for the Bronze Serpent")). Numbers 21:9, therefore, is the climax and resolution of this crisis, detailing Moses' immediate obedience and the miraculous, life-giving result for those who looked in faith.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This event takes place during the Israelites' protracted wilderness journey, a period characterized by divine provision, testing, and repeated cycles of Israelite rebellion and God's judgment and mercy. The setting is the arid wilderness, where encounters with dangerous serpents were a real threat. While some ancient Near Eastern cultures had serpent imagery associated with healing or divinity, God's command here is unique; it is not syncretistic but a direct, divinely ordained act of salvation, emphasizing His sole authority. The "fiery serpents" (Hebrew: _seraphim_) likely refer to their burning venom or perhaps their fiery appearance. The use of bronze (or brass) was common for various implements and idols in the ancient world, but here, it is specifically commanded by God as a means to convey His power, not as an object of inherent power or worship. The pole or standard (Hebrew: _nes_) was a common way to display important symbols or signals, ensuring visibility to all.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 21:9 profoundly illustrates several core themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Mercy**. God's sending of the fiery serpents was a just consequence for the Israelites' persistent grumbling and rebellion, demonstrating His holiness and intolerance for sin. Yet, His immediate provision of a means of salvation—even after their sin—underscores His boundless mercy and desire to redeem His people. Secondly, the narrative emphasizes **Faith and Obedience**. Healing was not inherent in the bronze serpent itself, but in the act of looking at it, which required a conscious, humble, and trusting obedience to God's specific command. This act of faith was the channel through which God's healing power flowed. Thirdly, and most significantly, this event serves as a powerful **Foreshadowing of Christ**. Jesus Himself explicitly drew a parallel between the bronze serpent lifted up in the wilderness and His own crucifixion, stating, "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 "John 3:14-15 - Jesus, the Son of Man, Lifted Up")). Just as the dying Israelites looked to the serpent for physical life, humanity looks to the crucified Christ for eternal spiritual life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Serpent (Hebrew, _nakash_ נָחָשׁ) / Brass (Hebrew, _nekhoshet_ נְחֹשֶׁת):** The KJV phrase "serpent of brass" translates the Hebrew _nekhash nekhoshet_. There is a deliberate and striking wordplay here. The word for "serpent" (_nakash_) is phonetically similar to the word for "bronze" or "brass" (_nekhoshet_). This wordplay emphasizes the material used for the symbolic serpent. The "fiery serpents" that bit the people are called _seraphim_ (שָׂרָף), meaning "burning ones," likely referring to the burning sensation of their venom or their fiery appearance. The choice of bronze for the symbolic serpent is significant; bronze is resistant to decay, symbolizing the enduring nature of God's provision, and it was also associated with judgment and strength in ancient metallurgy. The irony is profound: the very image of what was causing death became the means of life.
* **Pole (Hebrew, _nes_ נֵס):** The Hebrew word _nes_ typically refers to a standard, banner, or signal pole. It implies something lifted high and visible for all to see. In this context, it signifies that the bronze serpent was elevated to be a clear, unmistakable point of focus for the afflicted Israelites. It was not hidden but openly displayed, requiring a public and intentional act of looking. This foreshadows the public nature of Christ's crucifixion, where He was "lifted up" for all to behold.
* **Beheld (Hebrew, _nabat_ נָבַט):** The verb _nabat_ means "to look," "to gaze," or "to fix one's eyes upon." It implies an intentional, purposeful, and sustained gaze, not a casual glance. This highlights the active nature of faith required for healing. The Israelites had to consciously turn their eyes and focus on the bronze serpent, an act that demonstrated their trust in God's counterintuitive command. It was not the physical act of looking that healed, but the faith that accompanied that look, directed towards God's promised deliverance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses made a serpent of brass":** This clause describes Moses' direct and immediate obedience to God's command given in Numbers 21:8. The material, "brass" (more accurately bronze), was specified by God, emphasizing that this was a divine instruction, not a human invention. The act of making the serpent was a tangible expression of faith on Moses' part, setting the stage for the miraculous healing.
* **"and put it upon a pole":** This detail underscores the visibility and accessibility of the bronze serpent. By elevating it on a pole (_nes_), it became a clear, public, and unmistakable point of focus for everyone in the Israelite camp, regardless of their location. This ensured that all who were bitten could see it and fulfill the condition for healing.
* **"and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man":** This sets the condition for the miracle. The healing was specifically for those who had been afflicted by the fiery serpents, highlighting God's direct response to the specific judgment He had sent. It underscores the severity of the situation and the immediate need for divine intervention.
* **"when he beheld the serpent of brass":** This is the crucial condition for healing. The act of "beholding" (looking intently, with faith) was the means through which God's power was channeled. It was a simple, accessible act, yet one that required humility, trust, and obedience to God's seemingly illogical instruction. The power was not in the object itself, but in the divine promise attached to the act of looking.
* **"he lived":** This is the miraculous outcome. Despite the deadly venom, those who looked upon the bronze serpent were miraculously preserved from death. This demonstrates God's sovereign power over life and death, His faithfulness to His promise, and His profound mercy in providing salvation even in the midst of judgment. The contrast between the deadly bite and the life-giving gaze is stark and profound.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 21:9, within its broader context, employs several powerful **Literary Devices**. Foremost is **Wordplay**, notably between the Hebrew words _nakash_ (serpent) and _nekhoshet_ (bronze/brass), which creates a striking aural and conceptual link between the instrument of judgment and the means of salvation. There is also profound **Symbolism**: the bronze serpent itself becomes a potent symbol. It represents both the consequence of sin (the deadly serpent) and God's counterintuitive provision for salvation. The pole on which it is lifted symbolizes elevation and public display. The narrative also exemplifies **Divine Irony**: the very image of that which brought death (a serpent) becomes the means of life. This paradox highlights God's ability to work through unexpected and even seemingly contradictory means. Most significantly, the entire episode functions as a **Type**, or foreshadowing, of a greater reality to come. As explicitly stated by Jesus in John 3, the lifting up of the bronze serpent is a direct prefigurement of His own crucifixion and the salvation offered to all who look to Him in faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The narrative of the bronze serpent in Numbers 21:9 is a profound theological statement on God's character and the nature of salvation. It beautifully illustrates the paradox of divine justice and mercy: God's holiness demands judgment for sin, yet His love provides a way for repentance and healing. The simplicity of the required action—looking in faith—underscores that salvation is not earned through complex rituals or human merit, but received as a gift through humble obedience to God's specific, often counterintuitive, command. This event serves as a foundational Old Testament type, preparing God's people for the ultimate act of salvation. It teaches that sin brings death, but God, in His sovereign wisdom, provides a unique and singular remedy, requiring only a believing gaze towards His appointed means of grace.

* [John 3:14-15](/john/3-14 "John 3:14-15 - Jesus Lifted Up for Eternal Life")
* [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith")
* [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love While We Were Still Sinners")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of the bronze serpent offers timeless spiritual lessons for every believer. It powerfully reminds us that sin, like the venom of the fiery serpents, is deadly and brings about spiritual death. Yet, God, in His infinite mercy, has provided a singular, divinely appointed cure. Just as the Israelites were saved by a simple act of looking, we are called to look to Jesus Christ in faith, trusting in His completed work on the cross for our sins. Our salvation is not earned through our own efforts, good deeds, or religious rituals, but is a free gift received by grace through faith. This narrative encourages us to embrace the simplicity of God's provision, even when it seems counterintuitive to human reasoning. It challenges us to humble ourselves, confess our sin, and turn our gaze away from our own failings or circumstances, and fix it firmly on Christ, the ultimate antidote to sin's venom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to complain against God or doubt His provision, similar to the Israelites?**
* **What "fiery serpents" (sins, trials, temptations) are biting you today, and are you looking to God's appointed remedy?**
* **How does the simplicity of "looking" for salvation challenge your natural inclination to earn or work for God's favor?**
* **In what ways can you more intentionally "behold" Christ daily, fixing your eyes on Him as the source of your spiritual life and healing?**

### FAQ
**Why did God use a serpent, a symbol often associated with evil, as a means of salvation?**

Answer: This is a profound example of divine irony and God's sovereign ability to use unexpected means to accomplish His purposes. The serpent, which brought death, was transformed into an image that brought life. This paradox foreshadows Christ, who, though sinless, was "made to be sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")) and took on the "likeness of sinful flesh" ([Romans 8:3](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3 - God Sending His Son")) to conquer sin and death. The bronze serpent was not an object of worship, but a symbol and a test of obedience, pointing beyond itself to the power of God. It demonstrated that salvation comes not through avoiding the image of sin, but through God's power to redeem even from the very source of destruction.

**Was the bronze serpent worshipped by the Israelites later on?**

Answer: Unfortunately, yes, the bronze serpent, which was originally a symbol of God's grace and a test of faith, later became an object of idolatry. Centuries after Moses, during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, the Israelites had begun to worship this bronze serpent, burning incense to it and calling it "Nehushtan." In an act of righteous reform, Hezekiah broke it in pieces, recognizing that it had become a stumbling block and an object of false worship rather than a reminder of God's saving power ([2 Kings 18:4](/2_kings/18-4 "2 Kings 18:4 - Hezekiah Destroys the Bronze Serpent")). This historical development underscores the constant danger of turning God's instruments of grace into idols.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 21:9 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. As Jesus Himself declared in [John 3:14-15](/john/3-14 "John 3:14-15 - Jesus Lifted Up"), "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." The bronze serpent, lifted high on a pole, served as a vivid type of Christ's crucifixion. Just as the serpent, though a symbol of sin's consequence, became the means of physical healing by divine command, so too did Christ, though sinless, become "made sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")) and was lifted up on the cross to bear the judgment for humanity's sin. The Israelites looked to the serpent for physical life from a deadly bite; we look to Christ, crucified and resurrected, for eternal spiritual life from the deadly venom of sin. Our salvation is not earned but received by a simple, believing gaze upon Him, the one whom God appointed as the sole means of deliverance. He is the true object of our faith, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). In Him, the ultimate judgment for sin was met, and the ultimate mercy of God was extended, so that all who look to Him "might not perish but have eternal life" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

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

John 3:14

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

John 3:15

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

2 Kings 18:4

He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

John 6:40

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 12:32

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me.

Isaiah 45:22

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else.