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Numbers 21:6

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And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

And the LORD {H3068} sent {H7971} fiery {H8314} serpents {H5175} among the people {H5971}, and they bit {H5391} the people {H5971}; and much {H7227} people {H5971} of Israel {H3478} died {H4191}.

In response, ADONAI sent poisonous snakes among the people; they bit the people, and many of Isra'el's people died.

So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died.

And Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

Commentary

Numbers 21:6 describes a severe divine judgment upon the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. After a period of initial success and divine guidance, the people grew impatient and spoke against God and Moses, leading to this immediate and deadly consequence.

Context

This verse follows a period of renewed grumbling from the Israelites. They had just completed a detour around Edom and were weary from their journey from Mount Hor. Their complaints were not just about the physical hardships of the desert, but directly against God's provision ("no bread, neither is there any water") and His chosen leader, Moses. This repeated pattern of rebellion and discontent had often provoked God's disciplinary actions throughout their exodus, highlighting their lack of faith despite numerous miracles.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment for Sin: The immediate sending of the "fiery serpents" by the LORD underscores God's holiness and His intolerance for persistent disobedience and ingratitude. It demonstrates that He is not passive in the face of rebellion.
  • Consequences of Complaining: The severe outcome—"much people of Israel died"—serves as a stark reminder of the deadly nature of sin and the seriousness of speaking against God and His appointed servants. It illustrates that spiritual rebellion has tangible and often fatal consequences.
  • God's Sovereignty: The phrase "the LORD sent" emphasizes God's ultimate control over all circumstances, even those involving natural phenomena. He uses various means to bring about His purposes, including discipline, to draw His people back to Himself.

Linguistic Insights

The term "fiery serpents" translates the Hebrew word saraph (שָׂרָף). This word can mean "burning" or "poisonous," likely referring to the intense burning sensation caused by the serpents' venomous bites, or perhaps their bright, fiery coloration. Interestingly, the same word is used elsewhere in scripture to describe celestial beings, the seraphim, suggesting a connection to something awe-inspiring and potentially destructive.

Related Scriptures

  • The historical accounts of Israel's repeated grumbling and God's responses are echoed in passages like 1 Corinthians 10:9, which warns believers not to tempt Christ as some of the Israelites did.
  • This dramatic event sets the stage for God's provision of the bronze serpent, which later became a powerful type of Christ Himself, as explained by Jesus in John 3:14-15, where He states that just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.

Practical Application

Numbers 21:6 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of impatience, ingratitude, and rebellion against God's will and provision. It reminds us that our words and attitudes matter to God. Even in difficult circumstances, a spirit of complaint can lead to severe spiritual and personal consequences. Instead, we are called to cultivate a heart of thankfulness and trust, recognizing God's sovereignty and wisdom in all things, even when His path seems challenging. This narrative ultimately highlights God's justice, but also His willingness to provide a path to healing and salvation for a repentant heart.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 10:9 (13 votes)

    Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

  • Jeremiah 8:17 (7 votes)

    For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which [will] not [be] charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.

  • Deuteronomy 8:15 (6 votes)

    Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, [wherein were] fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where [there was] no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;

  • Amos 9:3 (5 votes)

    And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them:

  • Amos 9:4 (5 votes)

    And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.

  • Isaiah 30:6 (4 votes)

    The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence [come] the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people [that] shall not profit [them].

  • Isaiah 14:29 (3 votes)

    Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit [shall be] a fiery flying serpent.