Numbers 21:21 kjv
And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
Numbers 21:21 nkjv
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
Numbers 21:21 niv
Israel sent messengers to say to Sihon king of the Amorites:
Numbers 21:21 esv
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
Numbers 21:21 nlt
The Israelites sent ambassadors to King Sihon of the Amorites with this message:
Numbers 21 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 2:26 | "So I sent messengers from the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying," | Echoes the diplomatic overture. |
| Num 20:14 | "Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, 'Thus says your brother Israel: "You know all the hardship that has befallen us,"'" | Similar request to Edom earlier. |
| Deut 2:30 | "But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the LORD your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as it is this day." | God's divine purpose behind Sihon's refusal. |
| Josh 12:2 | "Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer...and from half of Gilead..." | Identifies Sihon and his domain. |
| Jdg 11:19 | "Israel then sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, king of Heshbon; and Israel said to him, 'Please let us pass through your land into our place.'" | Jephthah's historical recounting of this event. |
| Neh 9:22 | "You gave them kingdoms and nations and divided them into districts...the land of Sihon, the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan." | God's providence in giving them the land. |
| Ps 135:10 | "He struck many nations and slew mighty kings—Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan," | Commemoration of God's mighty acts. |
| Ps 136:19 | "And Sihon king of the Amorites, For His mercy endures forever;" | Praising God for overcoming Sihon. |
| Deut 1:7 | "Turn and take your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all their neighbors..." | God's command to enter the Amorite territory. |
| Deut 2:31 | "And the LORD said to me, 'Behold, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his land over to you. Begin to conquer and possess his land.'" | God's command to conquer Sihon. |
| Gen 15:16 | "And in the fourth generation they shall come back here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." | Prophecy regarding the Amorites' judgment. |
| Ex 3:8 | "So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up from that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites..." | Promise of land occupied by Amorites. |
| Deut 20:10 | "When you draw near to a city to fight against it, offer terms of peace to it." | General principle of offering peace. |
| Lev 19:33 | "When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong." | Command regarding treatment of sojourners. |
| 1 Chr 6:77 | "To the rest of the Merarites were given, from the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmono with its common lands, Tabor with its common lands; and beyond the Jordan by Jericho, from the tribe of Reuben: Bezer in the wilderness..." | Alludes to the Transjordan settlement. |
| Deut 2:36 | "From Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, even to Gilead, there was no city too strong for us; the LORD our God delivered all to us." | Victory over Sihon's territory. |
| Jer 32:21 | "You brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and an outstretched arm and with great terror; and You gave them this land, which You swore to their fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey." | God's delivery of the promised land. |
| Ps 78:55 | "He drove out nations before them; He apportioned them an inheritance by measurement and made the tribes of Israel dwell in their tents." | God dispossessing nations for Israel. |
| Ex 17:8-16 | (Amalek) | Examples of encountering resistance. |
| Judg 11:21 | "So the LORD God of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they defeated them." | Confirms divine aid in victory. |
Numbers 21 verses
Numbers 21 21 Meaning
Numbers 21:21 describes Israel's diplomatic initiative as they journeyed through the wilderness. It records the first step in their interaction with the Amorite king, Sihon, where Israel sent envoys to request peaceful passage through his territory, thereby establishing the premise for the subsequent conflict and conquest.
Numbers 21 21 Context
Numbers 21:21 occurs during a crucial phase of Israel's wilderness journey, specifically as they approach the promised land from the east. Previously in Chapter 20, they had sought passage through Edom, which was refused, leading to a detour around Edom's borders. Following this, the narrative records their victory against Arad (Num 21:1-3) and the significant incident of the bronze serpent (Num 21:4-9). After these events, Israel resumed their journey northward, nearing the land east of the Jordan. Verse 21 begins a new interaction, where Israel now confronts Sihon, the powerful king of the Amorites, whose territory lay directly in their intended path toward Canaan. This verse marks the beginning of Israel's transjordan conquests, setting the stage for one of their most significant early military victories. Historically, the Amorites were a prominent people group in the ancient Near East, known for their powerful city-states. Kings like Sihon exercised authority over specific territories, and unsolicited passage through such lands was often seen as an act of aggression, requiring diplomatic protocol or leading to conflict.
Numbers 21 21 Word analysis
- Then (וַיִּשְׁלַח֙ - vayishlach): A narrative conjunction, signaling a chronological progression. It indicates that this action followed the preceding events (journeying from Beer, Numbers 21:16-20). It connects Israel's physical movement with their subsequent diplomatic effort.
- Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ - yisra'el): Refers to the collective nation, the people of God, under their leader Moses. This highlights their identity and unity in carrying out this diplomatic overture. It implies a corporate decision.
- sent (וַיִּשְׁלַח֙ - vayishlach): Hebrew shalach, meaning "to send forth, stretch out, dismiss." Here, it specifically means to dispatch messengers or envoys, indicating a formal, diplomatic approach rather than an immediate invasion. This word conveys intentionality and strategy.
- messengers (מַלְאָכִים֙ - mal'akhim): Plural of mal'akh, meaning "messenger" or "angel." These were official representatives tasked with conveying a specific message. Their dispatch indicates a conventional method of inter-state communication in the ancient world.
- to Sihon (אֶל־סִיחֹ֖ן - 'el-Sichon): Sihon was the name of the king, specifically named as the target of the message. This gives identity to the antagonist of the subsequent narrative.
- king (מֶלֶךְ - melekh): Hebrew for "king." This emphasizes Sihon's sovereign authority over his domain and highlights that Israel approached a recognized power, respecting the established political structure of the time.
- of the Amorites (הָאֱמֹרִ֛י - ha'emori): Refers to the ethnic group and kingdom Sihon ruled. The Amorites were a formidable Semitic people, prominent in ancient Canaan and Transjordan, mentioned repeatedly as inhabitants of the land God promised to Abraham's descendants (e.g., Gen 15:16). Their presence underscores the power and challenges Israel faced.
- saying (לֵאמֹ֑ר - le'mor): A common Hebrew idiom indicating that the following text is a direct quote or the content of the message delivered. It introduces the specific diplomatic request.
- Let me pass through your land (אֶעְבְּרָ֥ה בְאַרְצֶֽךָ - a'eborah b'artzecha): The core request. A'eborah (from avar) means "let me pass over/through." B'artzecha means "through your land." This expresses a desire for peaceful transit, seeking permission to avoid conflict and maintain diplomatic protocol. It implies a temporary passage, not settlement or conquest at this point.
- "Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites": This phrase highlights the formal, diplomatic nature of the interaction. Israel, as a unified entity, sought to establish peaceful terms, adhering to customary interstate relations. This act was not an arbitrary invasion but a structured request for right of way.
- "saying, 'Let me pass through your land.'": This specific plea is direct and clear, indicating their need for unimpeded movement through Sihon's territory to continue their journey to Canaan. It conveys a desire to avoid confrontation and adhere to the established customs for transit through another nation's domain.
Numbers 21 21 Bonus section
This verse, along with the subsequent verses about Sihon, serves as an early example of Israel learning how God's divine purpose would often involve dispossessing powerful nations for their sake. While Israel took conventional diplomatic steps, God orchestrated the outcome. This episode prefigures later conquests in Canaan where human effort and divine power perfectly intertwined. The defeat of Sihon, a king of the Amorites, fulfills a long-standing prophecy concerning the Amorites and their future judgment (Gen 15:16). This was not merely a random encounter but part of God's overarching plan for His chosen people to inherit the promised land. It establishes a pattern for future interactions with the inhabitants of Canaan, emphasizing that God was actively working to fulfill His covenant promises through both seemingly mundane actions like sending messengers, and miraculous acts of warfare.
Numbers 21 21 Commentary
Numbers 21:21 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's journey, showcasing their attempt at diplomatic resolution before military engagement. The dispatch of messengers to Sihon, King of the Amorites, demonstrates Israel's initial intent for peaceful passage, even though they knew God had promised them the land. This approach aligns with broader biblical principles of seeking peace where possible, as also seen in Deut 20:10 regarding offering terms of peace before siege. However, unbeknownst to Israel, Sihon's refusal was part of God's larger sovereign plan. As later clarified in Deuteronomy 2:30, the LORD hardened Sihon's spirit to deliver him into Israel's hands. Thus, what appears as a diplomatic failure on the surface, served as the divine catalyst for the first major conquest of Transjordanian territory. This victory over Sihon would be frequently recalled in later biblical texts as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and empowering Israel against formidable foes. The politeness of the initial request thus underscores not only Israel's adherence to proper conduct but also the certainty of God's predetermined plan to give them the land, turning apparent roadblocks into opportunities for divine display of power.