Numbers 21 24

Numbers 21:24 kjv

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.

Numbers 21:24 nkjv

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.

Numbers 21:24 niv

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.

Numbers 21:24 esv

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.

Numbers 21:24 nlt

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.

Numbers 21 verses

Numbers 21 24 Meaning

Numbers 21:24 records a pivotal moment in Israel's journey through the wilderness: their military victory over Sihon, king of the Amorites. Following Sihon's refusal of peaceful passage and his aggressive attack, the Lord enabled Israel to decisively defeat him. This verse specifically states that Israel struck Sihon "with the edge of the sword," signifying a complete military conquest, and consequently took possession of his territory. This captured land stretched from the Arnon River in the south to the Jabbok River in the north, extending eastward up to the border of the Ammonites. The reference to the Ammonite border being "strong" subtly highlights divine boundaries and Israel's obedience to God's command not to invade their land. This victory marked Israel's first significant acquisition of land on the east side of the Jordan River, an initial fulfillment of God's promise to give them an inheritance.

Numbers 21 24 Context

Numbers chapter 21 chronicles a challenging period for the Israelites in the wilderness. Having spent nearly 40 years wandering, they are nearing the end of their desert journey and beginning to approach the land God promised them. This chapter follows a time of discouragement and grumbling, marked by the severe plague and the provision of the bronze serpent (Num 21:4-9). After bypassing Edom and Moab as commanded by God, Israel sent messengers to Sihon, the king of the Amorites, requesting peaceful passage through his territory (Num 21:21-22). Sihon not only refused but aggressively gathered his forces to attack Israel (Num 21:23). Numbers 21:24, therefore, describes the divine outcome of this unprovoked aggression, detailing Israel's divinely assisted military victory and the subsequent annexation of Sihon's lands. This event marks the first significant territorial gain by Israel east of the Jordan, a crucial step in their approach to Canaan proper, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises of land.

Numbers 21 24 Word analysis

• And Israel (וַיִּכֵּהוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל):

  • וַיִּכֵּהוּ (vayikkéhú): "And he struck him," or "And he smote him." The verb is derived from נָכָה (nakah), meaning "to strike, to smite, to defeat." The "he" refers implicitly to "Israel" which follows. This immediate and direct verb choice highlights the decisive and impactful nature of the battle. It is a divine enablement that allows a wilderness-weary people to achieve such a victory.
  • יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisra'el): "Israel," God's covenant people. Their action is both human military effort and divinely empowered fulfillment of promise. This refers to the corporate entity, the nation acting under God's guidance.

• struck him with the edge of the sword (לְפִי־חָֽרֶב):

  • לְפִי־ (lephi-): Literally "to the mouth of," or "at the point of." It denotes the sharpness or penetrating quality of the blade.
  • חָֽרֶב (chárev): "Sword." This phrase signifies total and decisive defeat in battle, not merely a skirmish or surrender but utter rout and destruction of the enemy by direct military action. It indicates a no-quarter approach, often linked with cherem (devotion to destruction), though not explicitly stated here for all inhabitants.

• and took possession of his land (וַיִּירַשׁ אֶת־אַרְצוֹ):

  • וַיִּירַשׁ (vayirásh): "And he took possession," or "and he inherited." From יָרַשׁ (yarash), "to possess, to inherit, to dispossess." This verb is fundamental to the concept of Israel taking the Promised Land. It implies rightful claim and transfer of ownership, divinely granted. The land was not merely captured but became an inheritance.
  • אֶת־אַרְצוֹ (et-artzo): "his land," referring to the land belonging to Sihon.

• from the Arnon to the Jabbok (מֵאַרְנֹ֖ן וְעַד־יַבֹּֽק):

  • אַרְנֹ֖ן (Arnon): The Wadi Mujib, a major river forming a natural boundary in Transjordan, south of Heshbon. It was the traditional border between Moab and the Amorites (and later Reuben/Gad).
  • יַבֹּֽק (Yabbok): The Wadi Zarqa, another significant river, north of Heshbon. This establishes the longitudinal span of Sihon's kingdom that Israel conquered. Both rivers were critical geographical markers, known in antiquity.

• as far as to the country of the Ammonites (עַד־בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן):

  • עַד־ (ad-): "Up to, as far as." It denotes the limit or boundary.
  • בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן (Benei Ammon): "Children of Ammon," the Ammonite people and their territory. Their land was east of the conquered Amorite territory.

• for the border of the Ammonites was strong (כִּ֥י גְבוּל֙ בְּנֵי־עַמּ֣וֹן עַזּֽוֹ):

  • כִּ֥י (ki): "For, because." Introduces the reason.
  • גְבוּל֙ (gevul): "Boundary, border." Refers to the frontier of Ammonite territory.
  • עַמּ֣וֹן (Ammon): "Ammon."
  • עַזּֽוֹ (azzo): "Strong, mighty, fierce." This can imply a physically fortified border, difficult terrain, or a strong military presence. However, in light of other scriptures (Deut 2:19), it is most profoundly understood as a divine directive – God had commanded Israel not to encroach upon the land of the Ammonites (descendants of Lot) as He had given that land to them. Thus, "strong" here carries theological weight, referring to God's protected boundaries for other nations.

Numbers 21 24 Bonus section

The conquest of Sihon, though often overshadowed by the later Canaanite campaigns, was critically important for Israel. It provided immediate access to fertile land on the east bank of the Jordan, suitable for their vast flocks and herds. This area was subsequently allocated to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh (Num 32; Josh 13). The incident established God's pattern of warfare: Israel seeks peace first (Num 21:21), but if peace is rejected and they are attacked, God ensures their victory and empowers them to possess the land of the aggressor. This battle solidified Israel's identity as a nation possessing God-given territory, setting the stage for their continued advancement.

Numbers 21 24 Commentary

Numbers 21:24 is far more than a simple geographical and military report; it signifies God's direct involvement in Israel's conquest of their promised inheritance. The immediate context shows Israel seeking peaceful passage, only to be met with hostile aggression from King Sihon. This highlights a principle: God grants victory when His people are in the right and Him. The phrase "struck him with the edge of the sword" speaks to a divinely empowered and decisive victory, ensuring the enemy was completely subdued, and demonstrating God's superiority over regional kings.

The acquisition of territory "from the Arnon to the Jabbok" was Israel's first significant step into the promised land, validating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises given to Abraham (Gen 15:18-21). This initial conquest served as a preview of the greater land distribution yet to come across the Jordan. Crucially, the statement that the land was taken "as far as to the country of the Ammonites, for the border of the Ammonites was strong," reveals God's meticulous governance of land and nations. This "strong border" refers less to an impregnable military barrier and more to God's explicit command that Israel was not to bother the Ammonites or seize their land, as it was God-ordained for Lot's descendants (Deut 2:19). This obedience to divine limits underscores Israel's reliance on God's directives even in warfare, illustrating that their conquests were not arbitrary acts of expansion but were confined by God's sovereign plan. The victory over Sihon thus provides a template for faithful conquest, balancing divine enablement with obedience to divine boundaries, ensuring God receives all the glory.