Numbers 21 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Numbers 21 meaning explained in AI Summary

The Bronze Serpent

Fiery Serpents and Healing: This chapter describes how the Israelites are plagued by poisonous snakes as punishment for their complaining. Following God's instructions, Moses creates a bronze serpent mounted on a pole. Anyone who looks upon the serpent after being bitten is healed.
Victories Over Canaanite Kings: The chapter also recounts the Israelites' victories over two Canaanite kings, Sihon and Og, as they move closer to the borders of the Promised Land.

This chapter details several key events as the Israelites journey towards Moab:

1. Victory over the Canaanite King: After being refused passage through Edom, the Israelites defeat the Canaanite king of Arad in battle, utterly destroying his cities. This victory follows a period of Israelite complaining and disobedience.

2. The Bronze Serpent: Frustrated with the journey and lack of good food and water, the Israelites speak against God and Moses. As punishment, God sends venomous snakes among them, causing many deaths. The people repent, and God instructs Moses to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole. Anyone bitten who looks at it will live. This event foreshadows Jesus' crucifixion and the healing available through faith.

3. Journey and Conquest: The Israelites continue their journey, stopping at various locations and singing a song of victory for water provided by God. They conquer the Amorite kingdoms of Heshbon and Bashan, led by King Sihon and King Og, respectively. These victories give Israel control over a significant territory east of the Jordan River.

Key Themes:

God's Faithfulness and Judgment: Despite their complaining and disobedience, God remains faithful to his covenant with Israel, providing victory and sustenance. However, he also disciplines them for their sin.
The Power of Repentance: When the Israelites repent of their grumbling and seek God's mercy, he provides healing and deliverance.
Looking Ahead: The bronze serpent foreshadows Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, offering healing and salvation to all who look to him in faith. The victories over Sihon and Og foreshadow the future conquest of Canaan.

Overall, Numbers 21 highlights the Israelites' ongoing struggle with faith and obedience as they journey towards the Promised Land. It also emphasizes God's faithfulness, justice, and mercy, pointing towards the ultimate provision of salvation through Jesus.

Numbers 21 bible study ai commentary

Numbers 21 traces Israel’s pivotal transition from a generation of failure to a generation of conquest. Beginning with a familiar cycle of sin, judgment, and deliverance, the chapter introduces one of the Old Testament's most profound Messianic types: the bronze serpent. This event marks a turning point, after which the Israelites cease their complaining and begin to sing songs of praise and achieve their first major victories against the formidable Amorite kings, Sihon and Og. The chapter serves as a bridge, moving the nation from the verge of death in the wilderness to the doorstep of the Promised Land, armed with faith and the experience of God's saving power.

Numbers 21 Context

The events of Numbers 21 occur near the end of the forty-year wilderness wandering. The generation that rebelled at Kadesh Barnea (Numbers 14) has died out, and a new generation is poised to enter the Promised Land. They are located east of Canaan, in the territories bordering Edom, Moab, and the Amorites. Culturally, the region was inhabited by established kingdoms with their own gods (e.g., Chemosh of Moab) and formidable armies. The ancient Near East also featured prevalent serpent cults, particularly in Egypt and Canaan, making the bronze serpent incident a powerful polemic against pagan beliefs, asserting Yahweh's unique authority over life and death.

Numbers 21:1-3

When the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negeb, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim, he fought against Israel, and took some of them captive. And Israel vowed a vow to the LORD and said, “If you will indeed give this people into my hand, then I will devote their cities to destruction.” And the LORD listened to the voice of Israel and gave over the Canaanites, and they devoted them and their cities to destruction. So the name of the place was called Hormah.

In-depth-analysis

This is the first offensive victory against Canaanites recorded in Numbers. It signifies a new beginning for the second generation.
A vow to the LORD: The people initiate a vow, showing a proactive, albeit conditional, faith not seen in the previous generation.
Devote... to destruction: The Hebrew word is herem. This means to consecrate something to God by utterly destroying it, removing it from human use. It was a holy war practice to ensure pagan influences were eliminated and that the victory was fully credited to God, not for personal plunder.
Hormah: The place name, meaning "destruction" or "devoted thing," memorializes their vow and God's faithfulness. This very location was the site of Israel's presumptuous and failed attack decades earlier (Num 14:45), making this victory a powerful redemption of that past failure.

Bible references

Deuteronomy 20:16-17: "But in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes... you shall devote them to complete destruction..." (Defines the herem command).
Judges 1:17: "...and they went and struck the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath and devoted it to destruction. So the name of the city was called Hormah." (Records a later, possibly more permanent, fulfillment of this event).
Numbers 14:45: "...Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and defeated them and pursued them, even to Hormah." (Shows this victory reverses a previous, humiliating defeat at the same place).

Cross references

Lev 27:28-29 (laws of devotion), Josh 6:17 (Jericho under herem), 1 Sam 15:3 (Saul's failure to apply herem).

Numbers 21:4-5

From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.”

In-depth-analysis

Go around... Edom: This detour, necessitated by Edom's refusal of passage (Num 20:21), was long and arduous, leading to frustration.
Impatient: The Hebrew is qatsar neph, literally "the soul/spirit grew short." It denotes a deep-seated impatience and loss of hope.
Spoke against God and against Moses: The complaint is elevated to its most serious form: direct rebellion against divine and delegated authority.
Loathe this worthless food: They call the manna—God's miraculous daily provision—"worthless" or "miserable" food. This is a complete rejection of God's grace and care, showing profound ingratitude.

Bible references

Psalm 78:18-20: "They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved... Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath..." (Recounts Israel's history of testing God for food).
1 Corinthians 10:9: "We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents..." (Directly cites this event as a warning for Christians).
Exodus 16:3: "...'Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full...'" (Shows this complaint is a recurring sin pattern).

Cross references

Exod 17:2-3 (murmuring for water), Num 11:4-6 (craving meat, despising manna), Ps 106:13-15 (summary of wilderness sins).

Numbers 21:6-9

Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent had bitten anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

In-depth-analysis

Fiery serpents: Hebrew ha-nehashim ha-seraphim. Seraph means "burning one," possibly referring to the venom's inflammatory effect or the serpents' shimmering appearance. This is the same term used for the angelic beings around God's throne (seraphim) in Isaiah 6, suggesting these serpents are agents of God's fiery judgment.
The people's confession: They explicitly admit their sin against both God and Moses and seek Moses' intercession, a sign of genuine, albeit fear-induced, repentance.
The strange remedy: God does not remove the threat (the serpents remain). Instead, He provides a means of salvation in the midst of the judgment. This teaches reliance on His specific provision rather than a change in circumstances.
Make a fiery serpent: The cure strangely mirrors the cause of death. This is a profound spiritual principle: the very instrument of judgment becomes the symbol of salvation. It is made of bronze (nechoshet), a play on the word for serpent (nachash).
Look... and live: The act of looking was simple, accessible to all, and required no elaborate works—only an act of faith and obedience to God's command.

Bible references

John 3:14-15: "'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.'" (Jesus' definitive interpretation, making the bronze serpent a type of His crucifixion).
2 Kings 18:4: "[Hezekiah] broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it. It was called Nehushtan." (Shows how a legitimate symbol of God's grace was later corrupted into an idol, requiring its destruction).
Isaiah 6:2, 6: "Above him stood the seraphim... And one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal..." (Connects the word seraph to fiery, divine beings serving as agents of God).

Cross references

Isa 45:22 (look to God and be saved), Rom 5:8 (Christ died for us while we were sinners), John 12:32 (Jesus speaks of being "lifted up").

Polemics

The use of a serpent, a common symbol of healing (e.g., the Rod of Asclepius) but also of demonic power and pagan worship in Egypt and Canaan, is a powerful polemic. Yahweh subverts the pagan symbol, demonstrating His supreme authority. He alone determines the meaning of symbols and dictates the terms of salvation. It is not an inherently magical object, but an instrument whose power comes solely from God's command and the people's obedient faith.

Numbers 21:10-20

And the people of Israel set out and camped in Oboth... And from there they continued to Beer. That is the well of which the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people together, so that I may give them water.” Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well!—Sing to it!—the well that the princes dug, that the nobles of the people delved, with the scepter and with their staves.” ...to the top of Pisgah, which looks down on the desert.

In-depth-analysis

A travelogue of progress: This section is an itinerary, showing Israel is steadily and successfully moving toward the promised land.
Book of the Wars of the LORD (v. 14): The narrative quotes from this lost, non-canonical source, indicating that Israel possessed other chronicles and literature celebrating God's victories.
Song of the Well: In sharp contrast to their earlier complaints about water (Exod 17, Num 20), the people now sing a song of praise and celebration for God's provision. This marks a significant change in attitude.
Dug by nobles and princes: The leaders actively participate in uncovering the well, symbolizing a cooperative and joyful effort, rather than demanding Moses perform a miracle.

Bible references

Isaiah 12:3: "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." (Echoes the theme of salvation being a source of joyful praise).
Exodus 17:6 & Numbers 20:11: (These show previous instances where water was provided in response to bitter complaint, highlighting the attitudinal shift here).
John 4:14: "...whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (Presents Jesus as the ultimate source of living water).

Cross references

Gen 26:18-22 (Isaac digging wells), 2 Sam 1:18 (another reference to a lost book), Deut 34:1 (Moses on Mount Pisgah).

Numbers 21:21-35

Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites... but Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory... and he came to Jahaz and fought against Israel. And Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword and took possession of his land... Then they turned and went up by the way of Bashan. And Og the king of Bashan came out against them... But the LORD said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand...” So they defeated him and his sons and all his people, until he had no survivor left. And they possessed his land.

In-depth-analysis

Diplomacy first: Israel first attempts a peaceful passage, according to what would become the "rules of war" (Deut 20), demonstrating their conflict was not one of aggression but of necessity.
Sihon and Og: These Amorite kings were powerful and their defeat was a foundational event for Israel. It proved that God could overcome even the most formidable human enemies. Sihon controlled the key territory east of the Jordan. Og was a remnant of the Rephaim ("giants"), making him an especially intimidating foe.
Victory Poem (v. 27-30): This taunt-song, quoted from "those who speak in proverbs," celebrates Yahweh's victory over the Amorites and mocks their god, Chemosh (who was technically the god of Moab, suggesting the Amorites had previously conquered Moab). The polemic is clear: the God of Israel is superior to the regional deities.
"Do not fear him": God's specific encouragement before the battle with Og was crucial. It transformed a potential moment of terror into a demonstration of faith, leading to a total victory.

Bible references

Deuteronomy 2:26-3:11: "And the LORD our God gave him over to us... So the LORD our God gave into our hand Og also..." (Moses retells these victories in detail to the new generation as proof of God's power and promise).
Psalm 136:17-22: "...who struck down great kings... Sihon, king of the Amorites... and Og, king of Bashan... and gave their land as a heritage... a heritage to Israel his servant..." (These victories become a standard part of Israel's worship liturgy, recited for generations).
Amos 2:9: "'Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars and who was as strong as the oaks...'" (God claims direct credit for defeating these "giants").

Cross references

Josh 12:1-6 (list of conquered kings), Neh 9:22 (part of a historical prayer), Judg 11:19-26 (Jephthah recounts this history to the Ammonites).

Numbers 21 analysis

From Murmuring to Praising to Conquering: The chapter presents a clear progression. It starts with the old sin of complaint (v. 5), is corrected by judgment and grace (v. 6-9), moves to spontaneous worship (v. 17), and culminates in faith-fueled conquest (v. 21-35).
Typology of the Cross: The bronze serpent is one of the clearest and most significant types of Christ in the Old Testament, explicitly confirmed by Jesus himself. It illustrates key gospel truths: salvation is by faith alone in God's provision, the curse is met on a raised object, and looking to it brings life from death.
Reversal of Defeat: The victory at Hormah (v. 1-3) on the same ground as a previous defeat (Num 14:45) is a powerful symbol of redemption and the capability of the new generation under God's favor.
Divine Sovereignty in Judgment and Salvation: The seraph serpents are instruments of God's judgment. The bronze seraph is His instrument of salvation. God demonstrates His absolute control over life and death, using the very symbol of the curse as the focus for deliverance.
The Power of Memory: The victories over Sihon and Og, along with the poems celebrating them, become cornerstones of Israel’s collective memory. They are cited repeatedly throughout Scripture as definitive proof of God's power to fulfill His promise of the land.

Numbers 21 summary

The chapter chronicles Israel’s transformation on the brink of the Promised Land. After a final, bitter complaint, they suffer a deadly plague of serpents. God provides a bizarre but powerful remedy: a bronze serpent on a pole, which heals all who look upon it in faith. This turning point leads to a new spirit of praise (the Song of the Well) and their first major military conquests over the powerful kings Sihon and Og, securing the Transjordan and demonstrating their readiness to inherit the land.

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Numbers 21 AI Image Audio and Video

Numbers chapter 21 kjv

¹ And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners.
² And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.
³ And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.
⁴ And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
⁵ And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
⁶ And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
⁷ 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.
⁸ And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
⁹ 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.
¹⁰ And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth.
¹¹ And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ijeabarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrising.
¹² From thence they removed, and pitched in the valley of Zared.
¹³ From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.
¹⁴ Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon,
¹⁵ And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab.
¹⁶ And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.
¹⁷ Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:
¹⁸ The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah:
¹⁹ And from Mattanah to Nahaliel: and from Nahaliel to Bamoth:
²⁰ And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon.
²¹ And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
²² Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king's high way, until we be past thy borders.
²³ And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.
²⁴ And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong.
²⁵ And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.
²⁶ For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even unto Arnon.
²⁷ Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared:
²⁸ For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon.
²⁹ 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.
³⁰ We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which reacheth unto Medeba.
³¹ Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites.
³² And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
³³ And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
³⁴ And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.
³⁵ So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.

Numbers chapter 21 nkjv

¹ The king of Arad, the Canaanite, who dwelt in the South, heard that Israel was coming on the road to Atharim. Then he fought against Israel and took some of them prisoners.
² So Israel made a vow to the LORD, and said, "If You will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities."
³ And the LORD listened to the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites, and they utterly destroyed them and their cities. So the name of that place was called Hormah.
⁴ Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way.
⁵ And the people spoke against God and against Moses: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread."
⁶ So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.
⁷ Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people.
⁸ Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live."
⁹ So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
¹⁰ Now the children of Israel moved on and camped in Oboth.
¹¹ And they journeyed from Oboth and camped at Ije Abarim, in the wilderness which is east of Moab, toward the sunrise.
¹² From there they moved and camped in the Valley of Zered.
¹³ From there they moved and camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that extends from the border of the Amorites; for the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.
¹⁴ Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the LORD: "Waheb in Suphah, The brooks of the Arnon,
¹⁵ And the slope of the brooks That reaches to the dwelling of Ar, And lies on the border of Moab."
¹⁶ From there they went to Beer, which is the well where the LORD said to Moses, "Gather the people together, and I will give them water."
¹⁷ Then Israel sang this song: "Spring up, O well! All of you sing to it?
¹⁸ The well the leaders sank, Dug by the nation's nobles, By the lawgiver, with their staves." And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah,
¹⁹ from Mattanah to Nahaliel, from Nahaliel to Bamoth,
²⁰ and from Bamoth, in the valley that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah which looks down on the wasteland.
²¹ Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
²² "Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into fields or vineyards; we will not drink water from wells. We will go by the King's Highway until we have passed through your territory."
²³ But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. So Sihon gathered all his people together and went out against Israel in the wilderness, and he came to Jahaz and fought against Israel.
²⁴ Then Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword, and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as the people of Ammon; for the border of the people of Ammon was fortified.
²⁵ So Israel took all these cities, and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon and in all its villages.
²⁶ For Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and had taken all his land from his hand as far as the Arnon.
²⁷ Therefore those who speak in proverbs say: "Come to Heshbon, let it be built; Let the city of Sihon be repaired.
²⁸ "For fire went out from Heshbon, A flame from the city of Sihon; It consumed Ar of Moab, The lords of the heights of the Arnon.
²⁹ Woe to you, Moab! You have perished, O people of Chemosh! He has given his sons as fugitives, And his daughters into captivity, To Sihon king of the Amorites.
³⁰ "But we have shot at them; Heshbon has perished as far as Dibon. Then we laid waste as far as Nophah, Which reaches to Medeba."
³¹ Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites.
³² Then Moses sent to spy out Jazer; and they took its villages and drove out the Amorites who were there.
³³ And they turned and went up by the way to Bashan. So Og king of Bashan went out against them, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.
³⁴ Then the LORD said to Moses, "Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, with all his people and his land; and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon."
³⁵ So they defeated him, his sons, and all his people, until there was no survivor left him; and they took possession of his land.

Numbers chapter 21 niv

¹ When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked the Israelites and captured some of them.
² Then Israel made this vow to the LORD: "If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy their cities."
³ The LORD listened to Israel's plea and gave the Canaanites over to them. They completely destroyed them and their towns; so the place was named Hormah.
⁴ They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way;
⁵ they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!"
⁶ Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.
⁷ The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people.
⁸ The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live."
⁹ So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.
¹⁰ The Israelites moved on and camped at Oboth.
¹¹ Then they set out from Oboth and camped in Iye Abarim, in the wilderness that faces Moab toward the sunrise.
¹² From there they moved on and camped in the Zered Valley.
¹³ They set out from there and camped alongside the Arnon, which is in the wilderness extending into Amorite territory. The Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.
¹⁴ That is why the Book of the Wars of the LORD says: "?Zahab in Suphah and the ravines, the Arnon
¹⁵ and the slopes of the ravines that lead to the settlement of Ar and lie along the border of Moab."
¹⁶ From there they continued on to Beer, the well where the LORD said to Moses, "Gather the people together and I will give them water."
¹⁷ Then Israel sang this song: "Spring up, O well! Sing about it,
¹⁸ about the well that the princes dug, that the nobles of the people sank? the nobles with scepters and staffs." Then they went from the wilderness to Mattanah,
¹⁹ from Mattanah to Nahaliel, from Nahaliel to Bamoth,
²⁰ and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland.
²¹ Israel sent messengers to say to Sihon king of the Amorites:
²² "Let us pass through your country. We will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the King's Highway until we have passed through your territory."
²³ But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. He mustered his entire army and marched out into the wilderness against Israel. When he reached Jahaz, he fought with Israel.
²⁴ Israel, however, put him to the sword and took over his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, but only as far as the Ammonites, because their border was fortified.
²⁵ Israel captured all the cities of the Amorites and occupied them, including Heshbon and all its surrounding settlements.
²⁶ Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and had taken from him all his land as far as the Arnon.
²⁷ That is why the poets say: "Come to Heshbon and let it be rebuilt; let Sihon's city be restored.
²⁸ "Fire went out from Heshbon, a blaze from the city of Sihon. It consumed Ar of Moab, the citizens of Arnon's heights.
²⁹ Woe to you, Moab! You are destroyed, people of Chemosh! He has given up his sons as fugitives and his daughters as captives to Sihon king of the Amorites.
³⁰ "But we have overthrown them; Heshbon's dominion has been destroyed all the way to Dibon. We have demolished them as far as Nophah, which extends to Medeba."
³¹ So Israel settled in the land of the Amorites.
³² After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, the Israelites captured its surrounding settlements and drove out the Amorites who were there.
³³ Then they turned and went up along the road toward Bashan, and Og king of Bashan and his whole army marched out to meet them in battle at Edrei.
³⁴ The LORD said to Moses, "Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon."
³⁵ So they struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army, leaving them no survivors. And they took possession of his land.

Numbers chapter 21 esv

¹ When the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negeb, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim, he fought against Israel, and took some of them captive.
² And Israel vowed a vow to the LORD and said, "If you will indeed give this people into my hand, then I will devote their cities to destruction."
³ And the LORD heeded the voice of Israel and gave over the Canaanites, and they devoted them and their cities to destruction. So the name of the place was called Hormah.
⁴ From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way.
⁵ And the people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food."
⁶ Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.
⁷ And the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people.
⁸ And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live."
⁹ So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.
¹⁰ And the people of Israel set out and camped in Oboth.
¹¹ And they set out from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim, in the wilderness that is opposite Moab, toward the sunrise.
¹² From there they set out and camped in the Valley of Zered.
¹³ From there they set out and camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that extends from the border of the Amorites, for the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.
¹⁴ Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the LORD, "Waheb in Suphah, and the valleys of the Arnon,
¹⁵ and the slope of the valleys that extends to the seat of Ar, and leans to the border of Moab."
¹⁶ And from there they continued to Beer; that is the well of which the LORD said to Moses, "Gather the people together, so that I may give them water."
¹⁷ Then Israel sang this song: "Spring up, O well! ? Sing to it! ?
¹⁸ the well that the princes made, that the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter and with their staffs." And from the wilderness they went on to Mattanah,
¹⁹ and from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth,
²⁰ and from Bamoth to the valley lying in the region of Moab by the top of Pisgah that looks down on the desert.
²¹ Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
²² "Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into field or vineyard. We will not drink the water of a well. We will go by the King's Highway until we have passed through your territory."
²³ But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. He gathered all his people together and went out against Israel to the wilderness and came to Jahaz and fought against Israel.
²⁴ And Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as to the Ammonites, for the border of the Ammonites was strong.
²⁵ And Israel took all these cities, and Israel settled in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all its villages.
²⁶ For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and taken all his land out of his hand, as far as the Arnon.
²⁷ Therefore the ballad singers say, "Come to Heshbon, let it be built; let the city of Sihon be established.
²⁸ For fire came out from Heshbon, flame from the city of Sihon. It devoured Ar of Moab, and swallowed the heights of the Arnon.
²⁹ Woe to you, O Moab! You are undone, O people of Chemosh! He has made his sons fugitives, and his daughters captives, to an Amorite king, Sihon.
³⁰ So we overthrew them; Heshbon, as far as Dibon, perished; and we laid waste as far as Nophah; fire spread as far as Medeba."
³¹ Thus Israel lived in the land of the Amorites.
³² And Moses sent to spy out Jazer, and they captured its villages and dispossessed the Amorites who were there.
³³ Then they turned and went up by the way to Bashan. And Og the king of Bashan came out against them, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.
³⁴ But the LORD said to Moses, "Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people, and his land. And you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon."
³⁵ So they defeated him and his sons and all his people, until he had no survivor left. And they possessed his land.

Numbers chapter 21 nlt

¹ The Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that the Israelites were approaching on the road through Atharim. So he attacked the Israelites and took some of them as prisoners.
² Then the people of Israel made this vow to the LORD: "If you will hand these people over to us, we will completely destroy all their towns."
³ The LORD heard the Israelites' request and gave them victory over the Canaanites. The Israelites completely destroyed them and their towns, and the place has been called Hormah ever since.
⁴ Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient with the long journey,
⁵ and they began to speak against God and Moses. "Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?" they complained. "There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!"
⁶ So the LORD sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died.
⁷ Then the people came to Moses and cried out, "We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take away the snakes." So Moses prayed for the people.
⁸ Then the LORD told him, "Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!"
⁹ So Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!
¹⁰ The Israelites traveled next to Oboth and camped there.
¹¹ Then they went on to Iye-abarim, in the wilderness on the eastern border of Moab.
¹² From there they traveled to the valley of Zered Brook and set up camp.
¹³ Then they moved out and camped on the far side of the Arnon River, in the wilderness adjacent to the territory of the Amorites. The Arnon is the boundary line between the Moabites and the Amorites.
¹⁴ For this reason The Book of the Wars of the LORD speaks of "the town of Waheb in the area of Suphah, and the ravines of the Arnon River,
¹⁵ and the ravines that extend as far as the settlement of Ar on the border of Moab."
¹⁶ From there the Israelites traveled to Beer, which is the well where the LORD said to Moses, "Assemble the people, and I will give them water."
¹⁷ There the Israelites sang this song: "Spring up, O well!
Yes, sing its praises!
¹⁸ Sing of this well,
which princes dug,
which great leaders hollowed out
with their scepters and staffs."
Then the Israelites left the wilderness and proceeded on through Mattanah,
¹⁹ Nahaliel, and Bamoth.
²⁰ After that they went to the valley in Moab where Pisgah Peak overlooks the wasteland.
²¹ The Israelites sent ambassadors to King Sihon of the Amorites with this message:
²² "Let us travel through your land. We will be careful not to go through your fields and vineyards. We won't even drink water from your wells. We will stay on the king's road until we have passed through your territory."
²³ But King Sihon refused to let them cross his territory. Instead, he mobilized his entire army and attacked Israel in the wilderness, engaging them in battle at Jahaz.
²⁴ But the Israelites slaughtered them with their swords and occupied their land from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River. They went only as far as the Ammonite border because the boundary of the Ammonites was fortified.
²⁵ So Israel captured all the towns of the Amorites and settled in them, including the city of Heshbon and its surrounding villages.
²⁶ Heshbon had been the capital of King Sihon of the Amorites. He had defeated a former Moabite king and seized all his land as far as the Arnon River.
²⁷ Therefore, the ancient poets wrote this about him: "Come to Heshbon and let it be rebuilt!
Let the city of Sihon be restored.
²⁸ A fire flamed forth from Heshbon,
a blaze from the city of Sihon.
It burned the city of Ar in Moab;
it destroyed the rulers of the Arnon heights.
²⁹ What sorrow awaits you, O people of Moab!
You are finished, O worshipers of Chemosh!
Chemosh has left his sons as refugees,
his daughters as captives of Sihon, the Amorite king.
³⁰ We have utterly destroyed them,
from Heshbon to Dibon.
We have completely wiped them out
as far away as Nophah and Medeba. "
³¹ So the people of Israel occupied the territory of the Amorites.
³² After Moses sent men to explore the Jazer area, they captured all the towns in the region and drove out the Amorites who lived there.
³³ Then they turned and marched up the road to Bashan, but King Og of Bashan and all his people attacked them at Edrei.
³⁴ The LORD said to Moses, "Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him over to you, along with all his people and his land. Do the same to him as you did to King Sihon of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon."
³⁵ And Israel killed King Og, his sons, and all his subjects; not a single survivor remained. Then Israel occupied their land.