Numbers 21 25

Numbers 21:25 kjv

And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.

Numbers 21:25 nkjv

So Israel took all these cities, and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon and in all its villages.

Numbers 21:25 niv

Israel captured all the cities of the Amorites and occupied them, including Heshbon and all its surrounding settlements.

Numbers 21:25 esv

And Israel took all these cities, and Israel settled in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all its villages.

Numbers 21:25 nlt

So Israel captured all the towns of the Amorites and settled in them, including the city of Heshbon and its surrounding villages.

Numbers 21 verses

Numbers 21 25 Meaning

Numbers 21:25 states that the people of Israel took possession of all the cities belonging to the Amorites, specifically detailing their habitation in Heshbon and all its surrounding villages. This verse marks a pivotal moment, signifying the fulfillment of God's promise to give His people land and demonstrating His power in overcoming mighty adversaries, securing the first major territorial acquisition for Israel on their journey to the Promised Land.

Numbers 21 25 Context

Numbers chapter 21 chronicles significant events in Israel's wilderness journey after their wandering for nearly forty years. Before verse 25, Israel, under Moses' leadership, had successfully repelled an attack by the King of Arad and made a vow to utterly destroy the Canaanites. Following this, they continued their journey, having to detour around Edom, during which they complained against God and Moses, leading to the plague of fiery serpents and the provision of the bronze serpent.

Verse 25 is directly preceded by Israel's strategic request to pass through the land of Sihon, king of the Amorites. Sihon refused and mustered his army to fight against Israel. Verses 23-24 vividly describe Israel's decisive victory, as the Lord delivered Sihon into their hand, allowing Israel to strike him down and take possession of his land, from Arnon to Jabbok, even to the border of the Ammonites. Therefore, Numbers 21:25 details the immediate aftermath and fruit of this divine victory, affirming Israel's settlement in the conquered Amorite territory, with Heshbon as its central city. This was the first substantial conquest of the journey, securing land east of the Jordan and demonstrating God's faithfulness in beginning the process of land inheritance promised to Abraham.

Numbers 21 25 Word analysis

• And Israel: The Hebrew "וְיִשְׂרָאֵל" (ve-Yisrael). "Israel" refers to the covenant people of God, often depicted as a unified entity acting under divine guidance. This action is corporate and national, demonstrating their identity as the inheritors of the promise.
• took: The Hebrew "יִקַּח" (yiqqaḥ), from the root "לָקַח" (laqaḥ). This verb means "to take," "to seize," "to capture," or "to acquire." In this context, it implies military action, possession through conquest, and the active appropriation of property. It indicates that the land was not merely stumbled upon but intentionally acquired.
• all these cities: The Hebrew "כָּל־הֶעָרִים הָאֵלֶּה" (kol-he'arim ha'elleh). "כָּל" (kol) signifies "all" or "every," emphasizing totality and completeness. "הֶעָרִים" (he'arim) means "the cities." The phrase underlines that the conquest was thorough and left no urban settlement unpossessed within the specified region.
• and Israel dwelt: The Hebrew "וַיֵּשֶׁב יִשְׂרָאֵל" (wayyeshev Yisrael). "וַיֵּשֶׁב" (wayyeshev) from "יָשַׁב" (yashab), meaning "to sit," "to settle," "to inhabit," or "to dwell permanently." This word is significant as it indicates not merely a temporary occupation, but a lasting settlement and actual possession of the land. This act of "dwelling" solidifies their claim and demonstrates the immediate benefit of their victory.
• in all the cities of the Amorites: The Hebrew "בְּכָל־עָרֵי הָאֱמֹרִי" (b'khol-are ha'Emori). The "Amorites" (הָאֱמֹרִי, ha'Emori) were a prominent and formidable people group frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as inhabitants of Canaan and Transjordan, representing a significant portion of the pagan inhabitants dispossessed by God. Their defeat here highlights God's power over mighty enemies and the fulfillment of His judgment against the wicked inhabitants.
• in Heshbon: The Hebrew "בְּחֶשְׁבּוֹן" (b'Ḥeshbon). Heshbon was the capital city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, making its capture strategically vital. Its explicit mention underscores its importance and status as a central hub of the conquered territory. It symbolized the heart of Sihon's kingdom.
• and in all the villages thereof: The Hebrew "וּבְכָל־בְּנֹתֶיהָ" (u-v'khol-b'noteha), literally "and in all her daughters." "Daughters" is an idiomatic expression referring to the smaller towns, villages, or dependent settlements surrounding a main city. This phrase again emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the conquest, including not just the capital but its entire sphere of influence.

Words-group Analysis:

• "And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities...": This phrase progression highlights a crucial two-step process: active conquest ("took") followed by secure settlement and inhabitation ("dwelt"). It implies that the victory was complete and permanent, directly leading to their physical possession of the land. This divine action (enabling the conquest) is immediately followed by human response (dwelling).
• "all the cities... in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof": This clarifies the scope of the conquest, moving from a general statement ("all these cities") to specific details (Heshbon and its dependencies). This specific mention validates the totality of the conquest and confirms that Heshbon, the strategic capital, was indeed subdued, along with its entire territorial network. It implies comprehensive control over the entire region that Sihon once ruled.

Numbers 21 25 Bonus section

The conquest of the Transjordan, particularly of Sihon's kingdom as highlighted in Num 21:25, provided essential preparation for Israel. Militarily, it built confidence and provided a testing ground for their faith and unity in battle before facing stronger foes. Logistically, it provided territory and resources for two and a half tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh) before the crossing of the Jordan. Theologically, it established a precedent of God fighting for Israel and delivering nations into their hands, strengthening their reliance on Yahweh rather than their own might. This early success was crucial for establishing their identity as God's warrior nation and laying a foundational layer of fulfillment for the Abrahamic land promise.

Numbers 21 25 Commentary

Numbers 21:25 presents a significant turning point in Israel's journey from Egyptian slavery to the Promised Land. This verse is not just a geographical update but a theological declaration. Following the defeat of Sihon, Israel actively "took" and then "dwelt" in his cities, indicating a decisive and permanent acquisition. This demonstrated God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promise to give His people a land, even before they crossed the Jordan River into the main land of Canaan. The thoroughness of the conquest, from the central capital Heshbon to all its "daughters" or surrounding villages, speaks to the completeness of God's victory through His people.

The mention of "Amorites" highlights that God was indeed casting out the nations whose "iniquity was full," as previously promised to Abraham (Gen 15:16). This event served as a powerful assurance for the Israelites: if God could deliver such a formidable kingdom as Sihon's, He would certainly enable them to conquer the remaining powerful inhabitants of Canaan. It reinforced their faith, providing a tangible example of divine provision and protection, thereby serving as a foundation for future conquests and the eventual inheritance of the entire Promised Land. Spiritually, it underscores the principle that divine victory leads to lasting possession and a settled life, foreshadowing how believers, through Christ, conquer spiritual territories and dwell securely in their spiritual inheritance.