Numbers 21 3

Numbers 21:3 kjv

And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.

Numbers 21:3 nkjv

And the LORD listened to the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites, and they utterly destroyed them and their cities. So the name of that place was called Hormah.

Numbers 21:3 niv

The LORD listened to Israel's plea and gave the Canaanites over to them. They completely destroyed them and their towns; so the place was named Hormah.

Numbers 21:3 esv

And the LORD heeded the voice of Israel and gave over the Canaanites, and they devoted them and their cities to destruction. So the name of the place was called Hormah.

Numbers 21:3 nlt

The LORD heard the Israelites' request and gave them victory over the Canaanites. The Israelites completely destroyed them and their towns, and the place has been called Hormah ever since.

Numbers 21 verses

Numbers 21 3 Meaning

Numbers 21:3 describes God's direct response to Israel's specific vow to devote the Canaanite cities to utter destruction if He delivered their enemies into their hands. The Lord heeded their plea, granted them victory over the King of Arad and his Canaanite forces, enabling Israel to fulfill their sacred vow by completely destroying the enemies and their cities. This significant victory led to the naming of the place as Hormah, meaning "devotion" or "utter destruction," serving as a lasting memorial to the divine judgment and the successful fulfillment of Israel's solemn pledge.

Numbers 21 3 Context

Numbers chapter 21 transitions from a period of murmuring and divine judgment against Israel's complaints in the wilderness (like the plague that resulted in the bronze serpent) to renewed military engagements as they approach the Promised Land. Prior to verse 3, verse 1 details how the King of Arad, a Canaanite, attacked Israel. In response (verse 2), Israel made a solemn vow to the Lord: if He delivered these enemies into their hand, they would "utterly destroy" their cities, dedicating them completely to God. This specific verse (v.3) records the fulfillment of that divine promise and Israel's subsequent action, demonstrating God's faithfulness to a believing and obedient Israel after previous instances of rebellion and punishment. Historically and culturally, this passage illustrates the unique practice of herem warfare, a sacred ban specifically commanded by God during the conquest of Canaan, where enemies and their possessions were completely devoted to destruction as an act of divine judgment and to prevent spiritual corruption among the Israelites.

Numbers 21 3 Word analysis

• And the Lord (וַיִּשְׁמַע יְהוָה - vayyišmaʿ YHWH): "Lord" is the sacred covenant name YHWH (Yahweh), emphasizing God's personal and faithful involvement in Israel's affairs. The divine responsiveness is to Israel as His covenant people.
• hearkened (שָׁמַע - shamaʿ): To hear, listen, pay attention to, obey. Here, it denotes God's attentive and responsive hearing of Israel's plea/vow, implying agreement and readiness to act on their behalf. It goes beyond mere auditory perception; it signifies effective listening leading to action.
• to the voice (קוֹל - qol): This refers to the content of their plea or vow (specifically, the vow mentioned in verse 2), rather than literally their speaking sound. It embodies their collective supplication and promise.
• of Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל - Yisra'el): Represents the collective nation, emphasizing that it was a communal vow and action. The nation acted in unison in turning to God in distress.
• and delivered up (וַיִּתֵּן - vayyitten): "To give," "to put," "to grant." God's active role as the one who bestows victory, reinforcing His sovereignty over the battlefield. He didn't just hear; He acted to grant their request.
• the Canaanites (הַכְּנַעֲנִי - haKenaʿani): The indigenous inhabitants of the land, specifically those led by the King of Arad (as mentioned in Num 21:1). Their defeat marked a significant step in the Israelite conquest.
• and they utterly destroyed them (וַיַּחֲרֵם אֶתְהֶם - vayyaḥărem ʾethēm): From the Hebrew root חָרַם (ḥaram), meaning "to devote to destruction," "to exterminate," or "to set apart as holy to the Lord, thereby putting out of human use." This is the practice of cherem, a severe form of holy war where the conquered people and their possessions were completely destroyed as an act of consecration to God and judgment upon wickedness. It signifies the complete separation of that which is accursed or holy.
• and their cities (וְאֶת־עָרֵיהֶם - wəʾet-ʿarêhem): Shows the completeness of the cherem action. Not just the people, but their places of habitation, reinforcing the thoroughness of the destruction as vowed to God.
• So the name of the place was called Hormah (וַיִּקְרָא אֶת־שֵׁם הַמָּקוֹם חָרְמָה - vayyiqraʾ ʾet-šēm hammaqom Ḥormah):
  • Hormah (חָרְמָה - Ḥormah): Meaning "devotion," "destruction," "a devoted thing," or "place of utter destruction." The name serves as a perpetual memorial, reflecting the nature of the cherem and the specific vow fulfilled there. It directly connects the outcome to the vow's premise and the character of God's judgment.

Numbers 21 3 Bonus section

The concept of cherem (utter destruction or sacred ban) in this verse is one of the most ethically challenging aspects for modern readers. It is crucial to understand its unique biblical context:

• Divine Initiative: The cherem was not a human invention but a specific divine command for Israel against particular nations (e.g., Canaanites, Amalekites) at a specific time in salvation history.
• Judicial Act: It was an act of divine judgment against peoples whose wickedness had reached its fullness (Gen 15:16), making them beyond redemption. It prefigured God's ultimate judgment on all unrighteousness.
• Purity of Israel: The cherem served to prevent Israel from being corrupted by the pagan religious practices and abominations of the Canaanites. Complete destruction removed the temptation to intermarry or adopt foreign gods.
• No Material Gain: A key aspect of cherem was that nothing was to be taken as spoil (Lev 27:28). This ensured the action was not driven by greed or conquest for wealth, but by devotion to God and obedience to His command, often seen in cases like Jericho (Josh 6).
• Limited Application: The cherem command was specific to the conquest of Canaan and did not extend to Israel's subsequent wars against other nations, nor is it a general template for Christian warfare or ethical conduct.
• The Name "Hormah": While meaning "devotion/destruction," its re-naming in Judg 1:17 reinforces its significance beyond this initial victory. Some scholars suggest this site might have been known by various names or experienced multiple significant battles and renamings related to "destruction." The name powerfully marks the area as dedicated to judgment due to the vow.

Numbers 21 3 Commentary

Numbers 21:3 stands as a pivotal moment reflecting God's faithfulness and Israel's obedience, following a challenging period of wanderings and judgment. The passage emphasizes divine responsiveness: the Lord "hearkened" to Israel's voice, signifying His attention and active response to their plea, a direct result of their solemn cherem vow. This demonstrates that when Israel turned to God in faith and commitment, He empowered them. The concept of "utterly destroyed" (cherem) is central, highlighting a unique divine mandate for absolute obliteration, not for cruelty, but as holy judgment against profound Canaanite wickedness (idolatry, child sacrifice) and to preserve Israel's spiritual purity by preventing assimilation or plunder. The naming of the place "Hormah" (meaning "destruction" or "devotion") serves as a lasting witness to this event, encapsulating both the judgment inflicted and the complete consecration of the enemies to God as per Israel's vow. It also powerfully contrasts with an earlier defeat at (or near) Hormah (Num 14:45), ironically showcasing that now, in obedience and reliance on God, victory was achieved where previously there was defeat due to rebellion.