Bible Commentaries
Numbers 21

Introduction

Overview

Numbers 21:1, Israel destroys the Canaanites at Hormah; Numbers 21:4, The people murmuring are plagued with fiery serpents; Numbers 21:7, They repenting are healed by a brazen serpent; Numbers 21:10, Sundry journeys of the Israelites; Numbers 21:21, Sihon is overcome, Numbers 21:33, and Og.

Verse 1

Arad: Numbers 33:40, Joshua 12:14, Judges 1:16

the way of the spies: Dr. Kennicott remarks, that the word atharim, rendered spies in our version, is in the Greek a proper name (טבסוים, (Atharim). Numbers 13:21, Numbers 13:22, Numbers 14:45

then: Deuteronomy 2:32, Joshua 7:5, Joshua 11:19, Joshua 11:20, Psalms 44:3, Psalms 44:4

Reciprocal: Numbers 20:17 - General Psalms 78:32 - they sinned

Verse 2

vowed: Genesis 28:20, Judges 11:30, 1 Samuel 1:11, 2 Samuel 15:7, 2 Samuel 15:8, Psalms 56:12, Psalms 56:13, Psalms 116:18, Psalms 132:2

I will: Leviticus 27:28, Leviticus 27:29, Deuteronomy 13:15, Joshua 6:17, Joshua 6:26, 1 Corinthians 16:22

Reciprocal: Numbers 30:2 - vow a vow Deuteronomy 2:34 - utterly destroyed Deuteronomy 3:6 - we utterly Deuteronomy 13:16 - an heap Deuteronomy 20:16 - General 1 Samuel 14:24 - Cursed

Verse 3

hearkened: Psalms 10:17, Psalms 91:15, Psalms 102:17

and they utterly: Wyyacharem, rather with the LXX ךבי בםוטולבפיףום, "and they anathematised, or devoted them to destruction;" for it is certain that these Canaanites and Arad were not utterly destroyed till the time of Joshua - Joshua 12:14.

the name: Numbers 14:45, Deuteronomy 1:44, 1 Samuel 30:30, Hormah, that is, utter destruction. Chormah, rather a devoting to destruction, so LXX םבטולב, and Tremellius, devotio sive anathema.

Reciprocal: Genesis 28:20 - vowed Exodus 22:20 - utterly Leviticus 27:28 - no devoted Leviticus 27:29 - None Numbers 22:2 - General Deuteronomy 2:34 - utterly destroyed Deuteronomy 13:16 - an heap Deuteronomy 20:16 - General Joshua 6:17 - accursed Judges 1:17 - Hormah Psalms 68:14 - When Zechariah 14:11 - there

Verse 4

mount Hor: Numbers 20:22, Numbers 20:23, Numbers 20:27, Numbers 33:41

by the way: Numbers 14:25, Deuteronomy 1:40

compass: Numbers 20:18-21, Deuteronomy 2:5-8, Judges 11:18

the soul: Numbers 32:7, Numbers 32:9, Exodus 6:9, Acts 14:22, 1 Thessalonians 3:3, 1 Thessalonians 3:4

discouraged: or, grieved, Heb. shortened, Exodus 6:9

Reciprocal: Numbers 33:37 - Kadesh Numbers 33:40 - General Deuteronomy 2:1 - we compassed Deuteronomy 6:16 - tempted him 2 Kings 3:8 - the wilderness of Edom

Verse 5

spake: Numbers 11:1-6, Numbers 14:1-4, Numbers 16:13, Numbers 16:14, Numbers 16:41, Numbers 17:12, Exodus 14:11, Exodus 15:24, Exodus 16:2, Exodus 16:3, Exodus 16:7, Exodus 16:8, Exodus 17:2, Exodus 17:3, Psalms 68:6, Psalms 78:19

and our soul: Numbers 11:6-9, Exodus 16:15, Exodus 16:31, Psalms 78:24, Psalms 78:25, Proverbs 27:7

Reciprocal: Exodus 7:18 - shall loathe Numbers 11:10 - weep throughout Numbers 11:20 - and it Numbers 20:2 - gathered Numbers 24:8 - God Deuteronomy 1:27 - The Lord hated us Deuteronomy 6:16 - tempted him Deuteronomy 9:7 - from the day 2 Kings 3:9 - no water Psalms 107:17 - because Ezekiel 20:21 - the children Acts 7:39 - and in 1 Corinthians 10:9 - tempt

Verse 6

Genesis 3:14, Genesis 3:15, Deuteronomy 8:15, Isaiah 14:29, Isaiah 30:6, Jeremiah 8:17, Amos 9:3, Amos 9:4, 1 Corinthians 10:9

Reciprocal: Luke 24:27 - beginning John 2:7 - Fill Acts 28:5 - felt 1 Corinthians 11:30 - many Hebrews 2:2 - every

Verse 7

We have: Exodus 9:27, Exodus 9:28, 1 Samuel 12:19, 1 Samuel 15:24, 1 Samuel 15:30, Psalms 78:34, Matthew 27:4

pray: Exodus 8:8, Exodus 8:28, 1 Kings 13:6, Jeremiah 37:3, Acts 8:24, James 5:16

And Moses: Numbers 11:2, Numbers 14:17-20, Genesis 20:7, Exodus 32:11, Exodus 32:30, Deuteronomy 9:20, Deuteronomy 9:26-29, 1 Samuel 12:20-23, Job 42:8, Job 42:10, Psalms 106:23, Jeremiah 15:1, Romans 10:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:15 - enmity Exodus 10:16 - I have Exodus 16:8 - but against 2 Kings 13:4 - Jehoahaz Psalms 103:3 - healeth Isaiah 30:6 - the viper John 3:14 - as

Verse 8

Psalms 106:43-45, Psalms 145:8

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 18:4 - the brazen serpent Psalms 107:20 - healed Isaiah 45:22 - Look Luke 6:19 - sought Luke 24:44 - in the law John 5:46 - for

Verse 9

A serpent of: 2 Kings 18:4, John 3:14, John 3:15, John 12:32, Romans 8:3, 2 Corinthians 5:21

when he: Isaiah 45:22, Zechariah 12:10, John 1:29, Hebrews 12:2, 1 John 3:8

he lived: John 6:40, Romans 1:17, Romans 5:20, Romans 5:21

Reciprocal: Psalms 107:20 - healed Luke 6:19 - sought John 5:46 - for

Verse 10

Numbers 33:43-45

Reciprocal: Judges 11:18 - went

Verse 11

Oboth: Probably Oboda, a city of Arabia Petrea, mentioned by Ptolemy. Pliny assigns it to the Helmodians; but Stephanus to the Nabatheans.

Ijeabarim: or, heaps of Abarim, Numbers 21:11

Reciprocal: Numbers 33:44 - Ijeabarim Judges 11:18 - came by

Verse 12

the valley of Zared: Deuteronomy 2:13, Deuteronomy 2:14, the brook Zered

Verse 13

Numbers 21:14, Numbers 22:36, Deuteronomy 2:24, Judges 11:18, Isaiah 16:2, Jeremiah 48:20

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:24 - Arnon Joshua 12:1 - from the Judges 11:15 - Israel took

Verse 14

in the book: Joshua 10:13, 2 Samuel 1:18

What he did: or, Vaheb in Suphah, The following seems to be the sense of this passage: "From Vaheb in Suphah, and the torrents of Arnon, even the effusion of the torrents, which goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth for the boundary of Moab; even from thence to the well; - which is the well of which Jehovah spake unto Moses, Gather the people, and I will give them water. Then sang Israel this song: Spring up, O Well! Answer ye to it. The well, princes digged it; even nobles of the people digged it, by a decree, upon their borders and from the wilderness - or the well, as in LXX to Mattanah; and from Mattanah," etc. The whole of this, from Numbers 21:14-20, is a fragment from "the book of the wars of Jehovah," probably a book of remembrances or directions written by Moses for the use of Joshua, and describes the several boundaries of the land of Moab. This rendering removes every obscurity, and obviates every difficulty.

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:13 - General Numbers 21:27 - General Numbers 22:36 - the border Deuteronomy 1:1 - Red Sea Psalms 44:1 - in the times Jeremiah 48:20 - Arnon

Verse 15

Ar: Numbers 21:28, Deuteronomy 2:9, Deuteronomy 2:18, Deuteronomy 2:29, Isaiah 15:1

lieth: Heb. leaneth

Reciprocal: Numbers 20:8 - the rod

Verse 16

Beer: Judges 9:21

Gather: Numbers 20:8, Exodus 17:6, Isaiah 12:3, Isaiah 41:17, Isaiah 41:18, Isaiah 43:20, Isaiah 49:10, John 4:10, John 4:14, John 7:37-39, Revelation 21:6, Revelation 22:1, Revelation 22:17

Reciprocal: Leviticus 8:3 - General Psalms 107:35 - turneth

Verse 17

sang: Exodus 15:1, Exodus 15:2, Judges 5:1, Psalms 105:2, Psalms 106:12, Isaiah 12:1, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 12:5, James 5:13

Spring up: Heb. ascend

sing ye: or answer

Reciprocal: Isaiah 26:1 - this song Isaiah 27:2 - sing Hosea 2:15 - she shall sing

Verse 18

princes: 2 Chronicles 17:7-9, Nehemiah 3:1, Nehemiah 3:5, 1 Timothy 6:17, 1 Timothy 6:18

the lawgiver: Deuteronomy 5:31, Deuteronomy 33:4, Isaiah 33:22, John 1:17, James 4:12

And from: Numbers 33:45-47

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:10 - lawgiver Exodus 24:11 - nobles Numbers 20:8 - the rod

Verse 19

Reciprocal: Numbers 22:41 - high places Joshua 13:17 - Bamothbaal

Verse 20

country: Heb. field, Numbers 22:1, Numbers 26:63, Numbers 33:49, Numbers 33:50, Deuteronomy 1:5

to the: Numbers 23:14, Deuteronomy 3:27, Deuteronomy 4:49, Deuteronomy 34:1

Pisgah: or the hill

Jeshimon: or, the wilderness, Numbers 23:28

Reciprocal: Numbers 22:2 - General Numbers 22:41 - high places Numbers 32:34 - Dibon Numbers 33:47 - the mountains Deuteronomy 11:29 - General Joshua 12:3 - Ashdothpisgah

Verse 21

Numbers 20:14-19, Deuteronomy 2:26-28, Judges 11:19-21

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:13 - Amorite Deuteronomy 1:4 - General Deuteronomy 2:12 - as Israel did Deuteronomy 2:27 - General Deuteronomy 4:46 - Moses Deuteronomy 29:7 - General Joshua 2:10 - what ye did Joshua 24:8 - General Judges 10:11 - Amorites Judges 11:12 - sent messengers 1 Kings 4:19 - the country of Sihon 1 Chronicles 1:14 - Amorite Nehemiah 9:22 - Sihon Psalms 68:14 - When Psalms 135:11 - Sihon Psalms 136:19 - General

Verse 22

Numbers 20:17

Verse 23

Sihon would: Deuteronomy 2:30-32, Deuteronomy 29:7, Deuteronomy 29:8

Jahaz: Judges 11:20, Isaiah 15:4, Jeremiah 48:34

Reciprocal: Exodus 14:6 - people Numbers 32:33 - the kingdom Deuteronomy 2:18 - General Deuteronomy 2:32 - General Deuteronomy 3:2 - as thou didst Joshua 12:2 - Sihon Joshua 13:12 - these did Joshua 13:18 - Jahaza Joshua 21:36 - Jahazah Judges 20:14 - General Psalms 136:19 - General Habakkuk 3:12 - didst march

Verse 24

Israel: Numbers 32:1-4, Numbers 32:33-42, Deuteronomy 2:31-37, Deuteronomy 29:7, Joshua 9:10, Joshua 12:1-3, Joshua 13:8-10, Joshua 24:8, Judges 11:21-23, Judges 12:1, Judges 12:2, Judges 21:8, Nehemiah 9:22, Psalms 135:10-12, Psalms 136:19, Amos 2:9

Arnon: Numbers 21:13, Genesis 32:22, Deuteronomy 3:16

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:34 - thou shalt Numbers 32:4 - General Deuteronomy 2:33 - we smote Deuteronomy 2:37 - Jabbok Deuteronomy 31:4 - General Joshua 8:24 - returned unto Ai Joshua 12:6 - did Moses Joshua 13:10 - General Joshua 13:21 - whom Moses Judges 11:13 - Because Israel Judges 11:20 - General

Verse 25

dwelt: Numbers 21:31, Numbers 32:33-42, Deuteronomy 2:12

in Heshbon: Heshbon was situated, according to Eusebius, twenty miles east of Jordan; and Jerome, who places it at the same distance, says it was, in his time, a very considerable city. It still subsists, in ruins, under the name of Heshban. Song of Solomon 7:4, Isaiah 15:4, Isaiah 16:8, Isaiah 16:9, Jeremiah 48:2, Jeremiah 48:34, Jeremiah 48:45

villages: Heb. daughters, Ezekiel 16:46, Ezekiel 16:49, Ezekiel 16:53

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:34 - as thou Judges 11:20 - General Judges 11:26 - Heshbon 1 Chronicles 6:81 - Heshbon Jeremiah 49:2 - her daughters

Verse 26

Arnon: Arnon is a stream which takes its rise in the mountains of Moab, and, by a north-west course, during which it receives the waters of several streams, runs into the Dead sea. It is now called Wady Modjeb, and divides the province of Pelka from that of Kerek, as it formerly divided the kingdoms of the Moabites and Amorites. Its principal source is at a short distance to the north-east of Katrane, a station of the Syrian Hadj, where it is called Seyl Sayde; and lower down it receives the name of Esseim el Kereim, or Szefye. Numbers 21:26

Reciprocal: Numbers 32:3 - Heshbon Joshua 13:25 - half Joshua 21:39 - Heshbon Jeremiah 48:20 - Arnon

Verse 27

Numbers 21:14, Isaiah 14:4, Habakkuk 2:6

Reciprocal: Numbers 32:37 - Heshbon Judges 11:15 - Israel took Psalms 44:1 - in the times Jeremiah 48:4 - Moab

Verse 28

a fire: Judges 9:20, Isaiah 10:16, Jeremiah 48:45, Jeremiah 48:46, Amos 1:4, Amos 1:7, Amos 1:10, Amos 1:12, Amos 1:14, Amos 2:2, Amos 2:5

Ar of Moab: Numbers 21:15, Deuteronomy 2:9, Deuteronomy 2:18, Isaiah 15:1, Isaiah 15:2

Reciprocal: Numbers 32:3 - Heshbon Joshua 13:16 - General Judges 9:15 - let fire

Verse 29

Judges 11:24, 1 Kings 11:7, 1 Kings 11:33, 2 Kings 23:13, Jeremiah 48:7, Jeremiah 48:13, Jeremiah 48:46, 1 Corinthians 8:4, 1 Corinthians 8:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:37 - Moabites Deuteronomy 28:32 - sons

Verse 30

have shot: Genesis 49:23, 2 Samuel 11:24, Psalms 18:14

Dibon: Numbers 32:34, Joshua 13:17, Isaiah 15:2, Isaiah 15:9, Jeremiah 48:18, Jeremiah 48:22

Reciprocal: Joshua 13:9 - all the plain 1 Chronicles 19:7 - Medeba

Verse 31

Numbers 32:33-42, Deuteronomy 3:16, Deuteronomy 3:17, Joshua 12:1-6, Joshua 13:8-12

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:25 - dwelt

Verse 32

Jaazer: Numbers 32:1, Numbers 32:35, Isaiah 16:8, Isaiah 16:9, Jeremiah 48:32, Jazer

Verse 33

they turned: Deuteronomy 3:1-6, Deuteronomy 29:7, Joshua 13:12

Bashan: Deuteronomy 32:14, Psalms 22:12, Psalms 68:15, Isaiah 33:9, Ezekiel 27:6, Ezekiel 39:18, Amos 4:1

Og: Numbers 32:33, Deuteronomy 1:4, Deuteronomy 3:1, Deuteronomy 4:47, Deuteronomy 29:7, Joshua 9:10, Joshua 12:4, Joshua 13:30

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 3:10 - Edrei 1 Chronicles 5:11 - Gad 1 Chronicles 5:12 - Bashan 1 Chronicles 6:71 - Bashan Psalms 68:22 - Bashan Psalms 136:20 - General

Verse 34

Fear him: Numbers 14:9, Deuteronomy 3:2, Deuteronomy 3:11, Deuteronomy 20:3, Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 10:8, Joshua 10:25, Isaiah 41:13

for I have: Deuteronomy 3:3, Deuteronomy 7:24, Joshua 8:7, Judges 11:30, 1 Samuel 23:4, 2 Samuel 5:19, 1 Kings 20:13, 1 Kings 20:28, 2 Kings 3:18

thou shalt: Numbers 21:24, Psalms 135:10, Psalms 135:11

as thou: Numbers 21:24, Numbers 21:25

Reciprocal: Exodus 23:31 - deliver the Numbers 32:4 - General Deuteronomy 3:22 - for the Lord Joshua 14:12 - if so be

Verse 35

Deuteronomy 3:3-17, Deuteronomy 29:7, Deuteronomy 29:8, Joshua 12:4-6, Joshua 13:12, Psalms 135:10-12, Psalms 136:17-21, Romans 8:37

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 20:16 - General Judges 10:11 - Amorites Acts 7:36 - and in the wilderness