Numbers 21 20

Numbers 21:20 kjv

And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon.

Numbers 21:20 nkjv

and from Bamoth, in the valley that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah which looks down on the wasteland.

Numbers 21:20 niv

and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland.

Numbers 21:20 esv

and from Bamoth to the valley lying in the region of Moab by the top of Pisgah that looks down on the desert.

Numbers 21:20 nlt

After that they went to the valley in Moab where Pisgah Peak overlooks the wasteland.

Numbers 21 verses

Numbers 21 20 Meaning

Numbers 21:20 continues the geographical description of Israel's journey through the wilderness, specifically detailing their movement following the acquisition of water from Beer. The verse specifies the segment of their route that began "from Bamoth," descended "to the valley that is in the country of Moab," and concluded at "the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon." This precisely charts a portion of their advance towards the promised land, highlighting key topographical landmarks and their proximity to the territory of Moab. It establishes the Israelites' strategic position prior to major engagements.

Numbers 21 20 Context

Numbers chapter 21 chronicles a crucial phase of Israel's journey in the wilderness, directly preceding their entry into the Transjordan region and eventual preparation for crossing the Jordan. It begins with Israel's victory over Arad, followed by their difficult passage around Edom, where they faced severe trials, including a plague of fiery serpents, leading to the miraculous healing via the bronze serpent (Num 21:4-9).Following this, the narrative shifts to a poetic interlude known as "the Song of the Well" (Num 21:16-18), celebrating God's provision of water. Numbers 21:20 is part of the itinerary that immediately follows this song, precisely detailing the continuation of their movement towards the east, through significant geographical points within or bordering Moabite territory. It marks their advance to a key vantage point, Pisgah, setting the stage for Moses's later viewing of the promised land and the impending conflicts with Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, which constitute the rest of the chapter. The verse thus serves as a geographical marker, indicating the progression of God's redemptive plan as Israel approaches the fulfillment of the promise of land.

Word Analysis

• And from Bamoth (וּמִבָּמוֹת - ūmibbāmōṯ):
  • Bamoth (בָּמוֹת): Plural of bamah, meaning "high place" or "heights." While often referring to sites of idolatrous worship (1 Kgs 11:7, Jer 7:31), here it primarily serves as a geographical designation for a specific locality or elevated region. Its naming convention likely reflects its topographical feature. The Israelites were literally moving from elevated ground.
• to the valley (אֶל־הַגַּיְא - ʾel-haggayʾ):
  • Gayʾ (גַּיְא): Refers to a "ravine," "gorge," or "valley." This implies a descent from the "high places" (Bamoth) into lower ground, indicating the varied terrain Israel traversed. It represents a physical change in elevation along their path.
• that is in the country of Moab (אֲשֶׁר בִּשְׂדֵה מוֹאָב - ʾăšer biśədēh Mōʾāḇ):
  • Moab (מוֹאָב): Descendants of Lot through his elder daughter (Gen 19:37), historically hostile to Israel. Their territory lay east of the Dead Sea. The phrase "country of Moab" (śedeh Mo'av - field/territory of Moab) confirms the specific location of the valley, indicating Israel's passage through or near the traditional lands of this nation, emphasizing their careful adherence to God's command not to provoke or invade Moab's territory (Deut 2:9), as they had to pass around it, albeit close by.
• to the top of Pisgah (אֶל־רֹאשׁ הַפִּסְגָּה - ʾel-rōʾš happisgâ):
  • Pisgah (פִּסְגָּה): Meaning "summit" or "peak." This is a prominent mountain ridge within the Abarim range, known later as the place from which Moses viewed the promised land before his death (Deut 3:27, 34:1). Its mention here as a destination points to its strategic elevated position and foreshadows its immense significance in Israel's history and for Moses personally.
• which looketh toward Jeshimon (הַנִּשְׁקָפָה עַל־פְּנֵי הַיְשִׁימוֹן - hannǐšqāfâ ʿal-pənē hayyəšîmôn):
  • Jeshimon (יְשִׁימוֹן): Meaning "wasteland," "wilderness," "desert." This term often refers to the arid regions around the Dead Sea, particularly the wilderness stretching towards the Jordan and into the Land of Canaan. The verb "looketh toward" (nishqaphah) signifies an outlook or panoramic view from Pisgah, underscoring its role as a strategic observation point for surveying the expansive wilderness and, by implication, the fringes of the land God had promised. The mention reinforces the elevation of Pisgah and the desolate landscape it overlooks.

Words-group Analysis:

• "And from Bamoth to the valley": This phrase describes a distinct directional movement, indicating a descent from a high geographical point into a lower, enclosed area. It illustrates the rugged and varied topography of the journey, where routes often followed natural pathways like ravines.
• "that is in the country of Moab": This precisely situates the "valley" within the established geo-political boundaries of the time. It confirms that Israel's travel was either directly through or immediately adjacent to Moabite land, reflecting their obedience to the command not to engage them aggressively, yet also the necessity of traversing their general vicinity to reach their destination. This strategic passage highlights God's sovereign control over international boundaries.
• "to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon": This describes the final destination point for this segment of the journey, highlighting Pisgah as a crucial and elevated observation post. The phrase emphasizes the wide-ranging view it offers over the desolate "Jeshimon," serving as a significant prophetic landmark. This panoramic view symbolizes a vantage point of both physical and spiritual significance, preparing the reader for later, more direct, divine revelations connected to this summit.

Numbers 21 20 Bonus section

The precise geographical detail in this verse, typical of Numbers, serves not merely as a travelogue but implicitly affirms the historical veracity of the biblical narrative. In ancient Near Eastern conquest narratives, detailing geographical routes often validated the legitimacy of campaigns. For Israel, this validates God's faithfulness in guiding His people through the wilderness toward the fulfillment of His promises. The reference to "high places" (Bamoth) and "wasteland" (Jeshimon) from Pisgah would have reminded the original audience of the contrasting challenges and hopes of their journey—moving through arid lands to a promised fertile land, encountering both natural obstacles and peoples who represented spiritual and physical challenges. The very act of naming these places gives them spiritual weight; they are not random stops, but part of a divinely orchestrated journey toward covenant fulfillment.

Numbers 21 20 Commentary

Numbers 21:20 is a concise yet critically important verse in the itinerary of the Israelites, precisely charting a leg of their final approach to the promised land. Its geographical precision from Bamoth to Pisgah via the valley in Moab, testifies to the literal historical nature of the exodus account and divine guidance of Israel. The detailed enumeration of locations demonstrates God's leading through every specific step of their long journey. The mention of "Bamoth," or "high places," though a common geographical term, later gained theological weight as sites for illicit worship, subtly connecting the physical terrain with the spiritual challenges Israel would face. Pisgah, in particular, is laden with future significance, being the ultimate viewpoint for Moses to gaze upon the promised land before his death, linking this travelogue with the profound destiny of Israel's greatest leader. The journey through or near Moab underscores the boundaries and commands God gave concerning their interaction with surrounding nations, showing careful navigation within geopolitical realities. The detailed, verifiable points such as Jeshimon provide anchoring points that strengthen the historical account of the wilderness wanderings, reaffirming God's constant presence and precise orchestration of their progress towards their inheritance.