Numbers 21 19

Numbers 21:19 kjv

And from Mattanah to Nahaliel: and from Nahaliel to Bamoth:

Numbers 21:19 nkjv

from Mattanah to Nahaliel, from Nahaliel to Bamoth,

Numbers 21:19 niv

from Mattanah to Nahaliel, from Nahaliel to Bamoth,

Numbers 21:19 esv

and from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth,

Numbers 21:19 nlt

Nahaliel, and Bamoth.

Numbers 21 verses

Numbers 21 19 Meaning

This verse precisely details two consecutive segments of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness: from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and then from Nahaliel to Bamoth. It serves as a historical and geographical record of their pilgrimage, highlighting specific stages of their divinely guided route towards the promised land of Canaan, emphasizing God's meticulous leading and the concrete reality of their wilderness experience.

Numbers 21 19 Context

Numbers 21:19 is part of a series of short, descriptive verses (Numbers 21:10-20) detailing key locations visited by the Israelites during the latter part of their wilderness wanderings, specifically as they approached and passed through Transjordan. This itinerary immediately follows the account of the fiery serpents and the bronze serpent (Numbers 21:4-9) and the celebration of the Well of Beer (Numbers 21:16-18), a moment of miraculous provision and communal praise. These listed places — Mattanah, Nahaliel, and Bamoth — emphasize the geographical reality and arduous nature of their forty-year journey, contrasting it with God's ongoing guidance and provision. Culturally, nomadic peoples' lives were defined by movements between water sources and pastures, making precise location recording vital. The mention of "Bamoth" (high places) later appears in the context of pagan worship sites, but here, it refers purely to a geographical elevation along their route. The detailed route underscores divine leading as opposed to aimless wandering, suggesting God's faithful presence even in barren lands.

Numbers 21 19 Word analysis

• וּמִן (u-min): "and from."
  • Significance: This prefix connects the current segment of the journey to the previously mentioned stopping point (Well of Beer) or establishes the starting point of a new leg of the journey from a previously mentioned stop. It denotes continuity and sequence in their travels.
• מַתָּנָה (Mattanah): "Mattanah." (Transliteration: Mat·ta·nah)
  • Meaning: "Gift" or "Present."
  • Significance: This place name may allude to the gifts of divine provision received by Israel during their wanderings, particularly fresh water, given the preceding account of the Well of Beer (Num 21:16-18). It serves as a reminder of God's grace in supplying their needs in the wilderness.
• אֶל (ʾel): "to."
  • Significance: Indicates direction and destination. It marks the conclusion of one segment of the journey and the arrival at a new point.
• נַחֲלִיאֵל (Naḥaliel): "Nahaliel." (Transliteration: Na·kha·li·'el)
  • Meaning: "Torrent/Wadi of God" or "Valley of God." (From naḥal meaning 'wadi' or 'torrent', and 'el meaning 'God'.)
  • Significance: This name implies a strong and vital watercourse, perhaps divinely provided or exceptionally abundant for its desert surroundings. It further reinforces the theme of God's sustenance and blessing in challenging environments. The presence of water in such a place was crucial for survival and reflects God's care.
• וּמִן (u-min): "and from."
  • Significance: Repeats the structure, indicating the beginning of the next leg of the journey, using Nahaliel as the new departure point. It maintains the clear progression of Israel's movements.
• נַחֲלִיאֵל (Naḥaliel): "Nahaliel." (Transliteration: Na·kha·li·'el)
  • Significance: This is the second mention, signifying it as a significant interim point from which the next segment of the journey commenced.
• אֶל (ʾel): "to."
  • Significance: Again indicates the direction towards the next destination.
• בָּמוֹת (Bamoth): "Bamoth." (Transliteration: Ba·mot)
  • Meaning: "High places." (Plural of bamah, 'high place' or 'cultic mound'.)
  • Significance: Here, it serves as a geographical designation for an elevated location rather than explicitly a cultic site. Its mention underscores the varied terrain through which Israel traveled. Later in Numbers 22:41, "Bamoth-Baal" is a specific cultic site from which Balak observes Israel, implying that these high places, while geographical, often carried religious connotations in the wider region. In this verse, it simply describes a topographic feature on their route.

• "from Mattanah to Nahaliel": This phrase marks the first defined leg of travel in the verse. "Mattanah" (gift) suggests a place of divine provision, while "Nahaliel" (Wadi of God) indicates another place strongly associated with God's provision of water. This journey segment highlights the continuous flow of God's sustenance to His people.
• "from Nahaliel to Bamoth": This describes the subsequent leg of their journey. Using Nahaliel as the starting point emphasizes its significance as a temporary dwelling place. The destination, "Bamoth" (High Places), implies climbing to elevated terrain, possibly symbolizing the progressive spiritual ascent or challenging ascent on their path towards the Promised Land.

Numbers 21 19 Bonus section

The short, poetic structure of Numbers 21:17-20, from which this verse comes, suggests it might be an extract from an older travel song or itinerary poem used by Israel, demonstrating that the people themselves cherished and celebrated their unique wilderness experiences guided by the Lord. This detail emphasizes not just a factual account, but also a tradition of remembering God's presence in their past. Furthermore, the progression through places named "Gift," "Wadi of God," and "High Places" can be seen as a spiritual metaphor for the believer's journey: beginning with the free "gift" of salvation (grace), being sustained by the "waters" (Holy Spirit, God's Word) provided by God, and ultimately reaching "high places" of spiritual encounter or vantage points from which to see God's further plans unfolding. It highlights that God does not abandon His people but leads them faithfully through every varied landscape of life.

Numbers 21 19 Commentary

Numbers 21:19 is a succinct geographical statement, yet profoundly illustrates God's active hand in guiding Israel's arduous forty-year pilgrimage. It's part of an itinerary highlighting not aimless wandering, but purposeful progression directed by the Lord. The specific place names, "Mattanah" (Gift) and "Nahaliel" (Wadi of God), subtly weave in themes of divine grace and provision amidst the wilderness’s desolation, particularly in the critical matter of water. Journeying from a "gift" to a "wadi of God" symbolizes Israel's continuous reliance on and experience of God's bountiful supply. Their destination, "Bamoth" (High Places), reflects the diverse and often challenging topography of their path, hinting at elevations or vantage points which would also serve as significant points in their unfolding history. The precision in chronicling these steps underscores the historical accuracy of the narrative and God's faithfulness in bringing His people through every specific phase of their journey towards His promised rest. This divine leadership, documented in physical movements, reflects God's meticulous care for His covenant people.