Numbers 33 40

Numbers 33:40 kjv

And king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.

Numbers 33:40 nkjv

Now the king of Arad, the Canaanite, who dwelt in the South in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.

Numbers 33:40 niv

The Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev of Canaan, heard that the Israelites were coming.

Numbers 33:40 esv

And the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negeb in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the people of Israel.

Numbers 33:40 nlt

At that time the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev in the land of Canaan, heard that the people of Israel were approaching his land.

Numbers 33 verses

Numbers 33 40 Meaning

Numbers 33:40 interjects a significant event into the travel itinerary of the Israelites, noting that "the king of Arad, the Canaanite, who lived in the Negeb, in the land of Canaan, heard that the people of Israel were coming." This verse serves as a crucial flashback, explaining the initial military confrontation mentioned earlier in Numbers 21:1. It highlights the early awareness of the indigenous Canaanite population concerning Israel's impending arrival in the Promised Land. This awareness signals the commencement of the territorial conflict and underscores God's providence in leading His people into the promised inheritance, simultaneously inspiring fear among the Canaanite nations as a fulfillment of divine prophecy.

Numbers 33 40 Context

Numbers chapter 33 serves as a comprehensive recapitulation of Israel's journey through the wilderness, from their departure from Egypt (Rameses) to their encampment on the plains of Moab, on the border of Canaan. This chapter meticulously lists each of the forty-two distinct stages or stopping places, creating a detailed historical record of God's leading.

Within this chronological itinerary, Numbers 33:40 functions as an important anachronistic flashback or narrative interjection. It explicitly refers back to an event detailed earlier in the book, specifically in Numbers 21:1-3, which occurred before the death of Aaron (recorded in Numbers 33:38-39). The inclusion of this verse here, amidst the post-Aaron death itinerary, underscores a significant turning point: the shift from wilderness wandering to active confrontation for the Promised Land.

Historically and culturally, Israel is poised on the brink of entering the land promised to their patriarchs for centuries. The term "Canaanite" signifies the dominant inhabitants of this land, heirs of Ham (Gen 10:15-19), who practiced polytheism and rituals anathema to Yahweh's commands. The "Negeb" is the semi-arid southern region of Judah, acting as a natural gateway from the wilderness into the central Canaanite territories. The king of Arad's hearing of Israel's approach highlights that Israel's movement was not unnoticed, nor was it without strategic implication for the resident populations. This awareness naturally fostered fear, as God had prophesied (Ex 23:27; Deut 2:25), preparing the way for Israel's divine commission to dispossess these nations who were ripe for judgment due to their iniquity (Gen 15:16). This interjection, therefore, prepares the reader for the ongoing battles of conquest, reminding them that Israel's journey culminates in conflict and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Numbers 33 40 Word Analysis

• And (וְ - wĕ, conjunction): Connects the previous chronological account of stages to an explanatory narrative interlude, shifting focus from itinerary to an impactful event.
• the king (מֶלֶךְ - melek, noun): Refers to a sovereign ruler of a city-state or regional territory, indicating a defined political structure in Canaan.
• of Arad (עֲרָד - Arad, proper noun): A significant Canaanite city located in the northern Negeb, identified as an enemy gateway to the Promised Land. It was a formidable obstacle for initial entry from the south.
• the Canaanite (הַכְּנַעֲנִי - hak'kĕna'anî, noun with definite article): Specifies the ethnic identity of the king, identifying him as part of the people group God commanded Israel to dispossess. This emphasizes the covenant conflict.
• who lived (יֹשֵׁב - yōshēv, participle): Implies a settled, established presence, in contrast to Israel's nomadic status.
• in the Negeb (בַּנֶּגֶב - ban-negev, preposition + definite article + noun): Refers to "the South," the arid to semi-arid region south of Judah, a strategic entry point from the wilderness. The King of Arad controlled a key position within this zone.
• in the land (בְּאֶרֶץ - bĕ'erets, preposition + noun): Specifies territory, grounding the narrative geographically within a familiar boundary.
• of Canaan (כְּנַעַן - k'na'an, proper noun): The specific geographic region promised by God to Abraham and his descendants, highlighting the imminent fulfillment of divine covenant and the beginning of the inheritance.
• heard (וַיִּשְׁמַע - vayyishma', consecutive perfect verb): Indicates the acquisition of intelligence, not mere observation. This act of "hearing" implies active vigilance by the Canaanite king and the regional reverberations of Israel's immense approach. The verbal root (sham'a) here means to perceive sound, listen, understand.
• of the coming (בָּאִים - ba'îm, plural participle): Literally "the ones coming" or "those who are arriving." Denotes a continuous movement and progressive approach of a large group.
• of the people (הָעָם - ha'am, definite article + noun): Refers specifically to "the (distinct) people," signifying Israel, God's chosen nation.
• of Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל - Yisra'el, proper noun): God's covenant nation, whose journey signifies God's direct involvement in human history and the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "the king of Arad, the Canaanite, who lived in the Negeb, in the land of Canaan": This phrase meticulously identifies the specific antagonist, establishing his ethnicity and geographical domain. It immediately positions the narrative within the framework of God's covenant with Israel for the land of Canaan, highlighting the pre-existing inhabitants who must be displaced. The detail underscores the strategic significance of this southern region for Israel's entry.
• "heard of the coming of the people of Israel": This phrase emphasizes the impact and magnitude of Israel's arrival. It was not a hidden movement, but one that generated news and, critically, apprehension among the inhabitants of the Promised Land. This directly connects to previous prophecies about God putting the dread of Israel upon their enemies (Ex 23:27; Deut 2:25).

Numbers 33 40 Bonus Section

• Polemical Implication: The "king of Arad, the Canaanite," ruling in "the land of Canaan," implicitly highlights a conflict between the Canaanite polytheistic deities and Yahweh, the God of Israel. The king's concern demonstrates the weakness of his gods to protect his domain from Yahweh's people, establishing God's sovereignty over all lands and peoples.
• The Southern Entry Point Significance: Israel's initial confrontation in the Negeb through Arad (as noted in Num 21:1) represents a strategic point for their southern flank. The Negeb region, being drier and less populated, was often the path of invasion. For Israel, encountering the formidable city-state of Arad here underscores that their path to the heart of Canaan would require overcoming significant, established opposition, emphasizing reliance on divine power rather than military might alone.
• Thematic Recurrence of "Hearing": The word "heard" (שָׁמַע - shama) is pivotal. While here it means receiving news, in the Deuteronomic context, shama is primarily Israel's call to "hear and obey" God. The Canaanite king hears of Israel's might and is filled with dread (Ex 15:14-16), a prefiguring of divine judgment. Israel, in contrast, is called to hear and obey God's voice (Deut 6:4-5), which brings victory and life. This juxtaposition implicitly sets up the fundamental contrast between those who react to God's presence in fear leading to opposition, and those who respond with faith leading to covenant blessing.

Numbers 33 40 Commentary

Numbers 33:40 is more than a mere geographical note; it's a theologically significant narrative pause within Israel's itinerary, setting the stage for the imminent conquest. Though presented in chapter 33, it refers back to an event detailed earlier in Numbers 21:1-3, which chronologically occurred before Aaron's death (Num 33:38). This literary device (prolepsis) ensures that as the reader surveys the meticulous journey log, they are reminded that the wilderness experience directly leads into direct confrontation for the promised inheritance. The "king of Arad, the Canaanite," becomes the representative of all hostile inhabitants of Canaan. His act of "hearing" Israel's approach highlights divine orchestration: Israel's vast numbers and God's powerful presence were undeniable, propagating fear among the nations as God had promised. This foreshadows the consistent theme in Joshua—that the reputation of Israel and their God precedes them, softening the hearts of some (like Rahab) and stiffening the resolve of others to their doom. The verse succinctly moves from passive journey listing to active conflict, framing the conquest not merely as a military campaign but as the unfolding of God's just judgment on the Canaanites and His faithful deliverance of Israel into their homeland. It is a powerful reminder that every step of Israel's journey was guided and purposed by God for the fulfillment of His covenant.