Números 21

Números 21

Click for Numbers Chapters 1-36 Numbers: Journey to God's Rest-Land by Irving Jensen- used by permission Source: Ryrie Study Bible THE BOOK OF NUMBERS "Wilderness Wandering" WALKING Numbers 1-12 WANDERING Numbers 13-25 WAITING Numbers 26-36 Counting & Camping Nu 1-4 Cleansing & Congregation Nu 5-8 Carping & Complaining Nu 9-12 12 Spies & Death in Desert Nu 13-16 Aaron & Levites in Wilderness Nu 17-18 Serpent of Brass & Story of Balaam Nu 21-25 Second Census 7 Laws of Israel Nu 26-30 Last Days of Moses as Leader Nu 31-33 Sections, Sanctuaries & Settlements Nu 34-36 Law & Order Rebellion & Disorder New Laws for the New Order Old Generation Tragic Transition New Generation Preparation for the Journey: Moving Out Participation in the Journey: Moving On Prize at end of the Journey: Moving In At Sinai Mt Sinai To Moab Mt Hor At Moab Mt Nebo En Route to Kadesh (Mt Sinai) En Route to Nowhere (Wilderness) En Route to Canaan (Plains of Moab) A Few Weeks to 2 Months 38 years, 3 months, 10 days A Few Months Christ in Numbers = Our "Lifted-up One" (Nu 21:9, cp Jn 3:14-15) Author: Moses Numbers 21:1 When the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim, then he fought against Israel and took some of them captive. BGT Numbers 21:1 καὶ ἤκουσεν ὁ Χανανις βασιλεὺς Αραδ ὁ κατοικῶν κατὰ τὴν ἔρημον ἦλθεν γὰρ Ισραηλ ὁδὸν Αθαριν καὶ ἐπολέμησεν πρὸς Ισραηλ καὶ κατεπρονόμευσαν ἐξ αὐτῶν αἰχμαλωσίαν NET Numbers 21:1 When the Canaanite king of Arad who lived in the Negev heard that Israel was approaching along the road to Atharim, he fought against Israel and took some of them prisoner. NLT Numbers 21:1 The Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that the Israelites were approaching on the road through Atharim. So he attacked the Israelites and took some of them as prisoners. ESV Numbers 21:1 When the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negeb, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim, he fought against Israel, and took some of them captive. NIV Numbers 21:1 When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked the Israelites and captured some of them. KJV Numbers 21:1 And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners. YLT Numbers 21:1 And the Canaanite -- king Arad -- dwelling in the south, heareth that Israel hath come the way of the Atharim, and he fighteth against Israel, and taketh some of them captive. LXE Numbers 21:1 And Arad the Chananitish king who dwelt by the wilderness, heard that Israel came by the way of Atharin; and he made war on Israel, and carried off some of them captives. ASV Numbers 21:1 And the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who dwelt in the South, heard tell that Israel came by the way of Atharim; and he fought against Israel, and took some of them captive. CSB Numbers 21:1 When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming on the Atharim road, he fought against Israel and captured some prisoners. NKJ Numbers 21:1 The king of Arad, the Canaanite, who dwelt in the South, heard that Israel was coming on the road to Atharim, then he fought against Israel and took some of them prisoners. NRS Numbers 21:1 When the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negeb, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim, he fought against Israel and took some of them captive. NAB Numbers 21:1 When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negeb, heard that the Israelites were coming along the way of Atharim, he engaged them in battle and took some of them captive. NJB Numbers 21:1 The king of Arad, the Canaanite living in the Negeb, learned that Israel was coming by way of Atharim. He attacked Israel and took some prisoners. GWN Numbers 21:1 When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that the Israelites were coming on the road to Atharim, he fought them and took some of them as prisoners. Arad: Nu 33:40 Jos 12:14 Jud 1:16 by the way of Atharim, Nu 13:21,22 14:45 then: De 2:32 Jos 7:5 11:19,20 Ps 44:3,4 Summary of Numbers 21 - Nu 21:1-3 - Israel Victorious over Arad Nu 21:4-9 - Deadly Serpents, Divine Solution Nu 21:10-20 - Israel Approaches Moab Nu 21:21-35 - Israel's Victory Over Sihon and Og Negev South THE BATTLES BEGIN Rod Mattoon - We now open the curtains on one of the most important chapters in the Old Testament. It is like a spot light that points out the path ahead or a light house that provides direction to struggling ships on a stormy, dark night at sea. This chapter has Jesus Christ all over it. In fact, we will see that our Lord Himself refers to the events of this chapter to explain His mission on earth and proclaim one of the most powerful, popular verses in the Bible.... John 3:16. Irving Jensen - When God promised to give the land of Canaan to His people, He did not say that this land of rest and plenty would come to them without battle or trial. There would be battles, but He would give victory. From Mt Hor to Arad - click to enlarge (Source: NIVSB) When - In Nu 20:22 we last read of Israel at Mount Hor where Aaron dies transferring the priesthood to Eleazar. In the larger context, Israel is in essence back to where they were in Numbers 13-14 as they approach the promised land. The Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negev heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim - The word Negev means south and you can see the general location by clicking the map above (or on this map). Arad - ISBE - A city mentioned four times in the Old Testament. In the King James Version it is twice mistakenly rendered as the name of a king (Numbers 21:1; Numbers 33:40). Three times it is spoken of as in the South Country, one mention using the phrase `the wilderness of Judah which is in the South Country of Arad' (Judges 1:16), that is, the part of the wilderness of Judah which is in the South Country near Arad. It was situated near the frontier of Judah and Simeon, being grouped with Debir, Hormah, Makkedah, etc. (Joshua 12:14). Arad and other cities joined in attacking Israel in the fortieth year of the sojourn in the wilderness (Numbers 21:1-3), and Israel vowed to "make their cities a devoted thing." In the case of Zephath, one of the cities, this vow was fulfilled after the death of Joshua (Judges 1:17). The Kenite relatives of Moses had their inheritance near Arad (Judges 1:16). In the form a-ru-da the city is mentioned by Shishak of Egypt as among the places which he conquered in Palestine. The identification of the site with Tel Arad, about 17 miles South of Hebron, seems to be generally accepted. Then he fought against Israel and took some of them captive - There is no note on whether any of the Israelites died or how many, just that some were taken alive. The Septuagint translates took captive with aichmalosia (cf aichmalotizo) which describes a state of captivity. FSB - Kidnapping was treated as a capital offense, just as individual kidnapping was considered a capital offense for Israelites according to the law (Exod 21:16; Deut 24:7). Archaeology Note related to Arad - House of God Ostracon: Ostraca—writings on pottery—are common finds in archeological digs. The House of God Ostracon was found in Arad, a Canaanite city in the Negev. Over 100 pieces of ostraca were found and have been dated to the early part of the 6th Century BC. Of significance are the references to the temple in Jerusalem and to names of people that are recorded in Scripture. This not only helps to date the temple, but it verifies the existence of people listed in the biblical text. Took captive (07628)(shebi from sabah = to take captive) means captivity, captives, usually describes those captured in war and taken back to the victorious country. TWOT says "This masculine noun, used forty-seven times in the OT, in at least three out of every four appearances indicates "captivity." That is, it speaks of the situation wherein people and/or animals (e.g. horses in Amos 4:10) are taken prisoner by a hostile military or para-military group, and with this comes a subsequent loss of freedom, various deprivations, and sufferings, and usually an enforced removal from their homes to a place of the captors' choosing, often to a foreign country. Sometimes shebî refers to "captives" or prisoners" as a body, e.g. Numbers 21:1, "King Arad . . . took some of them prisoners." In 721 b.c. the northern kingdom was scattered by Assyria, and in successive waves in 606, 597 and 586 b.c. Babylon took the southern kingdom Judah, into captivity. Thus Jeremiah bewails that the children of the daughter of Zion "are gone into captivity." Yet this weeping prophet sees beyond and gives God's promise to Israel that someday he would save Israel "from the land of their captivity" and "none shall make him afraid" (Jeremiah 30:10)." Shebi - 60x in 57v - captive(16), captives(10), captivity(32), captured(2) - Ex 12:29; Nu 21:1; Nu 24:22; Nu 31:12; Nu 31:19; Nu 31:26; Dt. 21:10; Dt. 21:13; Dt. 28:41; Jdg. 5:12; 1 Sa 30:2; 1 Sa 30:3; 1 Sa 30:5; 1 Ki. 8:46; 1 Ki. 8:47; 1 Ki. 8:48; 1 Ki. 8:50; 2 Ki. 5:2; 2 Ki. 6:22; 2 Chr. 6:37; 2 Chr. 6:38; 2 Chr. 28:17; 2 Chr. 29:9; Ezr. 2:1; Ezr. 3:8; Ezr. 8:35; Ezr. 9:7; Neh. 1:2; Neh. 1:3; Neh. 7:6; Neh. 8:17; Ps. 68:18; Ps. 78:61; Isa. 20:4; Isa. 46:2; Isa. 49:24; Isa. 49:25; Isa. 52:2; Jer. 15:2; Jer. 20:6; Jer. 22:22; Jer. 30:10; Jer. 30:16; Jer. 43:11; Jer. 46:27; Jer. 48:46; Lam. 1:5; Lam. 1:18; Ezek. 12:11; Ezek. 30:17; Ezek. 30:18; Dan. 11:8; Dan. 11:33; Amos 4:10; Amos 9:4; Nah. 3:10; Hab. 1:9 Related Resource: David M. Gunn "The "Battle Report": Oral or Scribal Convention? Journal of Biblical Literature Vol. 93, No. 4 (Dec., 1974), American Tract Society Arad Easton's Bible Dictionary Arad Fausset Bible Dictionary Arad Holman Bible Dictionary Arad - One town is referred to in the Bible during the time of Moses, and another was inhabited during the period of the monarchy. Both are located in the dry, semi-desert region known as the Negeb in the southern extreme of Judah's territory. The Arad of Numbers 21:1-3 (probably Tel Malhata) was a Canaanite city about eleven miles west southwest of Beersheba. Its king attacked the Israelites as they were moving on to Canaan after the wilderness wandering. He was successful temporarily, taking captives; but after vowing to God that they would destroy the city, Israel struck back effectively and renamed the devastated city Hormah. Victory over this king is recorded in Joshua 12:14 . Subsequently the Kenites settled in Arad near the tribe of Judah (Judges 1:16-17 ). Hitchcock Bible Names Arad Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Arad International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Arad Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Arad McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Arad Numbers 21:2 So Israel made a vow to the LORD and said, "If You will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities." BGT Numbers 21:2 καὶ ηὔξατο Ισραηλ εὐχὴν κυρίῳ καὶ εἶπεν ἐάν μοι παραδῷς τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον ὑποχείριον ἀναθεματιῶ αὐτὸν καὶ τὰς πόλεις αὐτοῦ NET Numbers 21:2 So Israel made a vow to the LORD and said, "If you will indeed deliver this people into our hand, then we will utterly destroy their cities." NLT Numbers 21:2 Then the people of Israel made this vow to the LORD: "If you will hand these people over to us, we will completely destroy all their towns." ESV Numbers 21:2 And Israel vowed a vow to the LORD and said, "If you will indeed give this people into my hand, then I will devote their cities to destruction." NIV Numbers 21:2 Then Israel made this vow to the LORD: "If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy their cities." KJV Numbers 21:2 And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities. YLT Numbers 21:2 And Israel voweth a vow to Jehovah, and saith, 'If Thou dost certainly give this people into my hand, then I have devoted their cities;' LXE Numbers 21:2 And Israel vowed a vow to the Lord, and said, If thou wilt deliver this people into my power, I will devote it and its cities to thee. ASV Numbers 21:2 And Israel vowed a vow unto Jehovah, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities. CSB Numbers 21:2 Then Israel made a vow to the LORD, "If You will deliver this people into our hands, we will completely destroy their cities." NKJ Numbers 21:2 So Israel made a vow to the LORD, and said, "If You will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities." NRS Numbers 21:2 Then Israel made a vow to the LORD and said, "If you will indeed give this people into our hands, then we will utterly destroy their towns." NAB Numbers 21:2 Israel then made this vow to the LORD: "If you deliver this people into my hand, I will doom their cities." NJB Numbers 21:2 Israel then made this vow to Yahweh, 'If you deliver this people into my power, I shall curse their towns with destruction.' GWN Numbers 21:2 Then the Israelites made this vow to the LORD: "If you will hand these people over to us, we'll destroy their cities because you've claimed them." made a vow: Ge 28:20 Jdg 11:30 1Sa 1:11 2Sa 15:7,8 Ps 56:12,13 116:18 Ps 132:2 I will: Lev 27:28,29 De 13:15 Jos 6:17,26 1Co 16:22 LEARNING TO LEAN ON THE STRONG ARM OF THE LORD So Israel made a vow (Lit "vowed a vow") to the LORD - Israel recognizes Yahweh as their Deliverer which is surprising considering all the episodes of unbelief regarding His ability to provide sustenance for them. Presumably the fact that they were not victorious but actually lost some men to captivity awakened them to the truth that God was their Warrior. Some 40 years earlier God had given Israel victory over the Amalekites, and they may have recalled this truth which prompted them to call on His Name. NET NOTE - On the surface this does not sound like much of a vow. But the key is in the use of the verb for “utterly destroy”—חָרַם (kharam). Whatever was put to this “ban” or “devotion” belonged to God, either for his use, or for destruction. The oath was in fact saying that they would take nothing from this for themselves. It would simply be the removal of what was alien to the faith, or to God’s program. And said, "If You will indeed (surely) deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities - Utterly destroy (destroy completely, devote)(02763)(charam) to destroy, to doom, to devote. This word is most commonly associated with the Israelites destroying the Canaanites upon their entry into the Promised Land (Deut. 7:2; Josh. 11:20). Surrendering something irrevocably to God = devoting to service of God, excluding it from use or abuse of man &/or putting it under a ban for utter destruction. [Dt 7:2, 20:17] Usually haram meant a ban for utter destruction, compulsory dedication of thing impeding or resisting God's work which is considered to be accursed before God. Thus the basic idea = setting something aside strictly for God's use. Whatever was set aside was considered most holy by God & could not be sold or redeemed by any substitutionary measure. Once invoked it was absolutely compulsory. - Exod. 22:20; Lev. 27:28; Lev. 27:29; Num. 21:2; Num. 21:3; Deut. 2:34; Deut. 3:6; Deut. 7:2; Deut. 13:15; Deut. 20:17; Jos. 2:10; Jos. 6:18; Jos. 6:21; Jos. 8:26; Jos. 10:1; Jos. 10:28; Jos. 10:35; Jos. 10:37; Jos. 10:39; Jos. 10:40; Jos. 11:11; Jos. 11:12; Jos. 11:20; Jos. 11:21; Jdg. 1:17; Jdg. 21:11; 1 Sam. 15:3; 1 Sam. 15:8; 1 Sam. 15:9; 1 Sam. 15:15; 1 Sam. 15:18; 1 Sam. 15:20; 1 Ki. 9:21; 2 Ki. 19:11; 1 Chr. 4:41; 2 Chr. 20:23; 2 Chr. 32:14; Ezr. 10:8; Isa. 11:15; Isa. 34:2; Isa. 37:11; Jer. 25:9; Jer. 50:21; Jer. 50:26; Jer. 51:3; Dan. 11:44; Mic. 4:13 Numbers 21:3 The LORD heard the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites; then they utterly destroyed them and their cities. Thus the name of the place was called Hormah. BGT Numbers 21:3 καὶ εἰσήκουσεν κύριος τῆς φωνῆς Ισραηλ καὶ παρέδωκεν τὸν Χανανιν ὑποχείριον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀνεθεμάτισεν αὐτὸν καὶ τὰς πόλεις αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπεκάλεσαν τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ τόπου ἐκείνου ἀνάθεμα NET Numbers 21:3 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 the place was called Hormah. NLT Numbers 21:3 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. ESV Numbers 21:3 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. NIV Numbers 21:3 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. KJV Numbers 21:3 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. YLT Numbers 21:3 and Jehovah hearkeneth to the voice of Israel, and giveth up the Canaanite, and he devoteth them and their cities, and calleth the name of the place Hormah. LXE Numbers 21:3 And the Lord hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered the Chananite into his power; and Israel devoted him and his cities, and they called the name of that place Anathema. ASV Numbers 21:3 And Jehovah hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and the name of the place was called Hormah. CSB Numbers 21:3 The LORD listened to Israel's request, the Canaanites were defeated, and Israel completely destroyed them and their cities. So they named the place Hormah. NKJ Numbers 21:3 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. NRS Numbers 21:3 The LORD listened to the voice of Israel, and handed over the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their towns; so the place was called Hormah. NAB Numbers 21:3 Later, when the LORD heeded Israel's prayer and delivered up the Canaanites, they doomed them and their cities. Hence that place was named Hormah. NJB Numbers 21:3 Yahweh heard Israel's words and delivered the Canaanites into their power, and they destroyed them in accordance with their curse. Hence the place was given the name Hormah. GWN Numbers 21:3 The LORD listened to the Israelites and handed the Canaanites over to them. They destroyed the Canaanites and their cities. So they called the place Hormah Claimed for Destruction. The LORD heard: Ps 10:17 91:15 102:17 they utterly: LXX. [anathematizo] "and they anathematised, or devoted them to destruction;" Jos 12:14 the name: Nu 14:45 De 1:44 1Sa 30:30 {Hormah,} that is, utter destruction. {Chormah,} rather a devoting to destruction: so LXX. [Anathema,] and Tremellius, {devotio sive anathema.} YAHWEH HEARD THEIR PRAYERS The LORD heard the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites - God gave them into their hands, which in Lxx is paradidomi meaning to hand over, to give over to the power of another. then they utterly destroyed them and their cities - Utterly destroyed is devoted to destruction. The Septuagint translates with the verb anathematizo (used 13x - Nu 18:14; Nu 21:2; Nu 21:3; Dt. 13:15; Dt. 20:17; Jos. 6:21; Jdg 1:17; Jdg 21:11; 1 Sa. 15:3; 2 Ki. 19:11; 1 Chr 4:41; Ezr. 10:8; Da 11:44) which means to invoke a curse on oneself; bind by a solemn vow. Israel had vowed to destroy the enemy, to devote them to destruction. Utterly destroyed (destroy completely, devote)(02763) see above on charam Jensen - The experience had three salutary effects: (1) in one sense it was a retaliation by Israel-in-belief for a defeat against Israel-in-unbelief (14:45); (2) it was an encouraging token by God of His favor toward Israel now in their pursuit of Canaan; (3) it would circulate a reputation of strength for Israel among the Canaanites in preparation for the future battles of Joshua against those nations. (EvBC-Nu) Thus the name of the place was called Hormah - As so often seen in the OT, the name is described in the passage. Thus Hormah means something like devoted to destruction and is derived from the verb charam which means to utterly destroy. This is the second time this name is found in Numbers, the first mention being in connection occurring after the ten spies brought an evil report causing God to judge that they would not enter the promised land. The stubborn Israelites persisted even though warned by Moses (Nu 14:43). Moses records the fulfillment of his own "prophecy" writing "But they went up heedlessly to the ridge of the hill country; neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses left the camp. Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down, and struck them and beat them down as far as Hormah." (Nu 14:44-45) So here the name Hormah was turned from a place of defeat to a place of victory. And what was the difference in the two "Hormahs?" The first they failed to call on the LORD, but the second they call on the LORD to deliver the enemy. THOUGHT - Is there not a message for all of us in our lives -- we have a trial, an adverse situation, an enemy. We can choose to confront the situation in our power or in dependence of His power. In short, we need to lay down our pride and CRY OUT! Numbers 21:4 Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. BGT Numbers 21:4 καὶ ἀπάραντες ἐξ Ωρ τοῦ ὄρους ὁδὸν ἐπὶ θάλασσαν ἐρυθρὰν περιεκύκλωσαν γῆν Εδωμ καὶ ὠλιγοψύχησεν ὁ λαὸς ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ NET Numbers 21:4 Then they traveled from Mount Hor by the road to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom, but the people became impatient along the way. NLT Numbers 21:4 Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient with the long journey, ESV Numbers 21:4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. NIV Numbers 21:4 They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; KJV Numbers 21:4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. YLT Numbers 21:4 And they journey from mount Hor, the way of the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom, and the soul of the people is short in the way, LXE Numbers 21:4 And having departed from mount Or by the way leading to the Red Sea, they compassed the land of Edom, and the people lost courage by the way. ASV Numbers 21:4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. CSB Numbers 21:4 Then they set out from Mount Hor by way of the Red Sea to bypass the land of Edom, but the people became impatient because of the journey. NKJ Numbers 21:4 Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. NRS Numbers 21:4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. NAB Numbers 21:4 From Mount Hor they set out on the Red Sea road, to bypass the land of Edom. But with their patience worn out by the journey, NJB Numbers 21:4 They left Mount Hor by the road to the Sea of Suph, to skirt round Edom. On the way the people lost patience. GWN Numbers 21:4 Then they moved from Mount Hor, following the road that goes to the Red Sea, in order to get around Edom. The people became impatient on the trip mount Hor: Nu 20:22-27 33:41 by the way: Nu 14:25 De 1:40 compass: Nu 20:18-21 De 2:5-8 Jud 11:18 the soul: Nu 32:7,9 Ex 6:9 Ac 14:22 1Th 3:3,4 discouraged: or, grieved, Heb. shortened, Ex 6:9 Numbers 21 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries FROM PLACE OF VICTORY TO PLACE OF DEATH! Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea - The nation is last described at Mount Hor in Numbers 20:22ff+ where Aaron died. NET Note - The “Red Sea” is the general designation for the bodies of water on either side of the Sinai peninsula, even though they are technically gulfs from the Red Sea. To go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient (Literally - "the soul of the people was short") because of the journey - Going through Edom would have shortened the journey significantly but the king of Edom refused (Nu 20:14-21+). But God had another plan - His promise to Israel to enter the Promised Land would be fulfilled. Once again we see that God allows Israel to come into an adverse situation, to test their hearts. Deuteronomy gives us a good summary of Yahweh's use of testing situations of His people Deuteronomy 8:3 “You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that (PURPOSE) He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. THOUGHT - God sends/allows tests in our lives to either strengthen our faith or to show us that our faith is in need of strengthening and this teaching is only received by a humble heart, never by a heart filled with pride. As James says "Humble (aorist imperative passive voice - allow yourselves to be humbled) yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you." (Jas 4:10+, cf James 1:25+) Impatient (07114)(qatsar) has two basic meanings, shorten and reap, the one intended in Nu 21:4 meaning to be short or to shorten, and figuratively describes the "souls" of these people as "shortened," and this impatient. The Septuagint translates Nu 21:4 with the verb oligopsucheo [oligos = small, little + psuche = soul, mind] which means to be faint heart or discouraged (not in NT, but in Lxx 7x = Nu 21:4; Jdg 8:4, 10:16, 16:16; Ps 77:3; Jon 4:8; Hab 2:13). Qatsar also describes something as not too short (Nu 11:23 "is the LORD'S power limited" or "short"?). In Pr 10:27 qatsar refers to shortening of time declaring "the years of the wicked will be shortened." Qatsar also has the meaning of to reap, to harvest. It describes harvesting, gathering in a crop (Lev. 19:9; 23:10; 1 Sam. 6:13; 8:12). Its participial form qôṣēr refers to a reaper (Jer. 9:22; Amos 9:13). It is used in a figurative sense of reaping the fruits of righteousness (Hos. 10:12); of evil (Hos. 8:7). Psalm 126:5 records the famous phrase that they who sow in tears, reap in joy. (Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament) Qatsar - 15x in 14v meaning to shorten - annoyed(1), became impatient(1), could bear(1), impatient(3), limited(1), no longer(1), short(3), shortened(3), smaller(1). Num. 11:23; Num. 21:4; Jdg. 10:16; Jdg. 16:16; Job 21:4; Ps. 89:45; Ps. 102:23; Prov. 10:27; Isa. 28:20; Isa. 50:2; Isa. 59:1; Ezek. 42:5; Mic. 2:7; Zech. 11:8 Qatsar - 34x in 32v meaning "to reap" - harvest(2), harvests(1), reap(18), reaped(2), reaper(3), reapers(7), reaping(1).= Lev. 19:9; Lev. 23:10; Lev. 23:22; Lev. 25:5; Lev. 25:11; Deut. 24:19; Ruth 2:3; Ruth 2:4; Ruth 2:5; Ruth 2:6; Ruth 2:7; Ruth 2:9; Ruth 2:14; 1 Sam. 6:13; 1 Sam. 8:12; 2 Ki. 4:18; 2 Ki. 19:29; Job 4:8; Job 24:6; Ps. 126:5; Ps. 129:7; Prov. 22:8; Eccl. 11:4; Isa. 17:5; Isa. 37:30; Jer. 9:22; Jer. 12:13; Hos. 8:7; Hos. 10:12; Hos. 10:13; Amos 9:13; Mic. 6:15 Numbers 21:5 The people spoke against God and Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food." BGT Numbers 21:5 καὶ κατελάλει ὁ λαὸς πρὸς τὸν θεὸν καὶ κατὰ Μωυσῆ λέγοντες ἵνα τί ἐξήγαγες ἡμᾶς ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ἀποκτεῖναι ἡμᾶς ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἄρτος οὐδὲ ὕδωρ ἡ δὲ ψυχὴ ἡμῶν προσώχθισεν ἐν τῷ ἄρτῳ τῷ διακένῳ NET Numbers 21:5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness, for there is no bread or water, and we detest this worthless food." NLT Numbers 21:5 and they began to speak against God and Moses. "Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?" they complained. "There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!" ESV Numbers 21:5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food." NIV Numbers 21:5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!" KJV Numbers 21:5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. YLT Numbers 21:5 and the people speak against God, and against Moses, 'Why hast thou brought us up out of Egypt to die in a wilderness? for there is no bread, and there is no water, and our soul hath been weary of this light bread.' LXE Numbers 21:5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, saying, Why is this? Hast thou brought us ought of Egypt to slay us in the wilderness? for there is not bread nor water; and our soul loathes this light bread. ASV Numbers 21:5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, and there is no water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. CSB Numbers 21:5 The people spoke against God and Moses: "Why have you led us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!" NKJ Numbers 21:5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread." NRS Numbers 21:5 The people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food." NAB Numbers 21:5 the people complained against God and Moses, "Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!" NJB Numbers 21:5 They spoke against God and against Moses, 'Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in the desert? For there is neither food nor water here; we are sick of this meagre diet.' GWN Numbers 21:5 and criticized God and Moses. They said, "Why did you make us leave Egypt-just to let us die in the desert? There's no bread or water, and we can't stand this awful food!" The people spoke against God: Nu 11:1-6 Nu 14:1-4 Nu 16:13,14,41 Nu 17:12 Ex 14:11 Ex 15:24 Ex 16:2,3,7,8 Ex 17:2,3 Ps 68:6 78:19 and our soul: Nu 11:6-9 Ex 16:15,31 Ps 78:24,25 Pr 27:7 Numbers 21 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SPEAKING AGAINST GOD IN CONTEMPT OF HIS PROVISION! The people spoke against God and Moses - This is the same song the first generation "sang"! (See Nu 11:1-6+, Nu 14:1-4+, Nu 16:13,14,41 +, Nu 17:12+) What is interesting here is that this is the first time in the Bible that these exact words are found "against God." (Job 34:37 - actually an older book so this would be the "first.") THOUGHT - It is ironic that the jealous Jews of Acts 6:11+ slandered Stephen a man "full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5+) with similar slanderous accusations “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” If you are a sincere, serious follower of Christ, do not be surprised when the people (in the congregation as they were here in Numbers) speak against you! They spoke against Jesus and He left us "an example for you to follow in His steps" (1 Peter 2:21+), "while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously." (1 Peter 2:23+). HCSB writes "For the seventh time, the people spoke against God and Moses. Their words were the same monotonous complaint about food and water. (HCSB Study Bible) While the event described in Psalm 78 is an earlier rebellion by the first generation of Israel against God, the description is very similar here in Numbers where most of the Israelites are now the second generation. Asaph writes He brought forth streams also from the rock And caused waters to run down like rivers.Yet they still continued to sin against Him, To rebel against the Most High in the desert. 18 And in their heart they put God to the test By asking food according to their desire. 19 Then they spoke against God; They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? 20 “Behold, He struck the rock so that waters gushed out, And streams were overflowing; Can He give bread also? Will He provide meat for His people?” 21 Therefore the LORD heard and was full of wrath; And a fire was kindled against Jacob And anger also mounted against Israel, 22 Because they did not believe in God And did not trust in His salvation. (Ps 78:16-22+) Spurgeon on Psalm 78:19 - From this verse we learn that unbelief of God is a slander against him. Then they spoke against God. But how? The answer is, They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? To question the ability of One Who is manifestly Almighty, is to speak against Him. These people were base enough to say that although their God had given them bread and water, yet He could not properly order or furnish a table. He could give them coarse food, but could not prepare a feast properly arranged, so they were ungrateful enough to declare. (ED: NOTE THEIR WORDS IN Nu 21:5 - we loathe this miserable food) As if the manna was a mere makeshift, and the flowing rock stream a temporary expedient, they ask to have a regularly furnished table, such as they had been accustomed to in Egypt. Alas, how have we also quarrelled with our mercies, and querulously pined for some imaginary good, counting our actual enjoyments to be nothing because they did not happen to be exactly conformed to our foolish fancies. They who will not be content will speak against providence even when it daily loadeth them with benefits. (Lord deliver us by the supernatural power of Your Spirit from speaking against You in thought, word or deed. In Jesus' Name. Amen). After all their experience, they doubted the divine omnipotence, as if it were to be regarded as nothing, when it refused to gratify their lusts. Unbelief is so deeply rooted in the human heart, that when God performs miracles on earth, unbelief doubts whether he can perform them in heaven, and when he does them in heaven, whether he can do them on earth? Augustus F. Tholuck. Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? Here they go again with these memories of and comparison to Egypt. They clearly had forgotten the horrible bondage and mistreatment in Egypt. And they had forgotten that they were in the wilderness because of their own unbelief. And yes with the older generation it was true that they would die in the wilderness. But most of the Israelites alive at this time were second generation who would soon leave the wilderness and enter the promised land. Regardless of whether they were first or second generation, neither God or Moses was to blame for their circumstances! They had only to look in the mirror to see who was to blame. Fallen flesh does not like to accept the consequences of its sinful choices, but always seeks to pass the blame. Are we not all at times like these stubborn, rebellious Israelites? (That is a rhetorical question) As someone once taught me, Israel is a sad but very real picture of our fallen flesh. Watch how Israel behaves and you have an illustration of how your fallen flesh will behave! Paul alludes to this important principle in 1 Cor 10:6,11 "Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved....Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." For (term of explanation) there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food - The Septuagint is vivid for it says there is "absolutely no bread (Heb = lechem; Lxx = artos) and no water!" Note that they were not starving and they did have "manna bread"! So their explanation is outlandish and hardly supports that were doomed to death in the desert! Note how they even judge themselves as liars saying they have no food, and then saying they have miserable food. They had food. They did not like their food! And Who provided this food, manna from Heaven? And were they ever without manna from Heaven? No, because God provided it every morning for 40 years and there was no cost for the food! Here they call Heaven's provision "miserable" the Hebrew word qeloqel (only OT use from qalal = slight, trifling) meaning contemptible, worthless! Amazing ingratitude! So it is not a matter of no food, but is more about their lack of an attitude of gratitude which in turn festered into discontent which led to grumbling and murmuring, in this case actually "biting the hand" that fed them! The Hebrew for loathe (see qut) is translated in the Lxx with prosochthizo which means to be very upset over something someone has done, to be angry, offended or provoked. Ironically this same verb describing Yahweh's reaction to the people in Hebrews 3:10+ and Hebrews 3:17+! THOUGHT - It is not unusual in Scripture, or in our own lives, to have a story of defeat follow quickly on a story of victory. And here we have two contrasting stories side-by-side, which show that while progress was being made toward dependence on the Lord (THEY HAD JUST CRIED OUT FOR YAHWEH'S HELP - Nu 21:2), they still had a long way to go! On the heels of Israel’s great victory over the Canaanites in Nu 21:3, they "fall on their own swords" so to speak concerning the issues of food and water. We learn from these juxtaposed stories to be very wary of our fallen flesh rising up after we have experienced a "victory" of one type or another. As Jesus commanded we need to continually “Keep watching (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) and praying (present imperative) hat you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mt 26:41+). Have you recently experienced a spiritual victory or a "spiritual high?" Then the watchword for you is LOOK OUT! BEWARE! WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY! Loathe (dread)(06973)(qut) means to be or make disgusted, to loathe, to be sick of. It denotes deep emotional reaction of issuing in a desired repulsion (or destruction) of the object abhorred. Quts refers to God's revulsion toward pagan practices (Lev. 20:23); by Israel toward manna (ungratefully and wrongly) after eating it for years (Nu 21:5; cf. Ps. 78:22-25); by Rebekah toward her Hittite daughters-in-law (Gen. 27:46); and by Solomon's son toward the Lord's rebuke (Pr. 3:11). It also signified the loathing felt by enemies toward Israel's prosperity (Ex. 1:12; Num. 22:3). In Isaiah 7:6, the causative sense means to vex. By taking over, the enemies planned to cause Judah to abhor them. Numbers 21:6 The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. BGT Numbers 21:6 καὶ ἀπέστειλεν κύριος εἰς τὸν λαὸν τοὺς ὄφεις τοὺς θανατοῦντας καὶ ἔδακνον τὸν λαόν καὶ ἀπέθανεν λαὸς πολὺς τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ NET Numbers 21:6 So the LORD sent poisonous snakes among the people, and they bit the people; many people of Israel died. NLT Numbers 21:6 So the LORD sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died. ESV Numbers 21:6 Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. NIV Numbers 21:6 Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. KJV Numbers 21:6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. YLT Numbers 21:6 And Jehovah sendeth among the people the burning serpents, and they bite the people, and much people of Israel die; LXE Numbers 21:6 And the Lord sent among the people deadly serpents, and they bit the people, and much people of the children of Israel died. ASV Numbers 21:6 And Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. CSB Numbers 21:6 Then the LORD sent poisonous snakes among the people, and they bit them so that many Israelites died. NKJ Numbers 21:6 So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. NRS Numbers 21:6 Then the LORD sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. NAB Numbers 21:6 In punishment the LORD sent among the people saraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died. NJB Numbers 21:6 At this, God sent fiery serpents among the people; their bite brought death to many in Israel. GWN Numbers 21:6 So the LORD sent poisonous snakes among the people. They bit the people, and many of the Israelites died. Ge 3:14,15 De 8:15 Isa 14:29 30:6 Jer 8:17 Am 9:3,4 1Co 10:9 Numbers 21 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Deuteronomy 8:15 “He led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water; He brought water for you out of the rock of flint. JEHOVAH SENDS FIERY SERPENTS The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people - Notice that this time God did not even give Moses a warning so that he might intercede before the punishment as he had done previously. God's judgment is immediate and it is frightening as almost everyone hates even the sight of snakes. And these were not garden snakes but deadly vipers. One is reminded of Paul's words that "the wages of sin are death," (Ro 6:23+) and that could not be more dramatically illustrated then in this divine judgment. Fiery (08314)(saraph) is masculine noun meaning a serpent. This word generally refers to a poisonous snake, deriving its origin from the burning sensation of the serpent’s bite (see Dt. 8:15). It is used specifically of the fiery serpents that were sent as judgment. They were referred to as "flying serpents" in Isa. 14:29 and Isa. 30:6. FSB has an interesting note that "Saraph occurs in Isa 14:29; 30:6, where the serpent is described as “flying.” The serpents referred to did not fly through the air; rather, the description comes from its appearance. The snake was likely a type of cobra whose upper body skin flanges were possibly thought to look like “wings.”" Saraph with meaning of serpent - 5x fiery(1), fiery serpents(2), serpent(2). Nu 21:6; Nu 21:8; Dt. 8:15; Isa. 14:29; Isa. 30:6 There are 2 other uses of saraph which refer to the Seraphim, the majestic beings with 6 wings, human hands or voices in attendance upon God and described in Isaiah 6:2, 6. R L Harrison points out that "Rather than the noun being interpreted from the word saraph “serpent” it should be related to the parent root of both words “fire.” (08313 - saraph). These angelic beings were brilliant as flaming fire, symbolic of the purity and power of the heavenly court. Holman Bible Dictionary on Seraphim - Literally, “the burning ones,” seraphim (a plural word) were winged serpents whose images decorated many of the thrones of the Egyptian pharaohs. In some cases, they wore the crowns of the Egyptian kingdoms and were thought to act as guardians over the king. Israel adopted the symbolism for God's throne. Isaiah envisioned the seraphim as agents of God who prepared him to proclaim the Lord's message to Judah (Isaiah 6:2 ). Related Resources: What are seraphim? Are seraphs angels? | GotQuestions.org Baker Evangelical Dictionary Seraph, Seraphim Easton's Bible Dictionary Seraphim Fausset Bible Dictionary Seraphim Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Seraphim International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Seraphim Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Seraphim McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Seraphim The Jewish Encyclopedia Seraphim Serpents (05175) see notes above nahas/nachash NET NOTE - The designation of the serpents/ snakes is נְחָשִׁים (nékhashim), which is similar to the word for “bronze” (נְחֹשֶׁת, nékhoshet). This has led some scholars to describe the serpents as bronze. And they bit the people, so that (term of purpose) many people of Israel died - It would be easy to read by this passage too fast (especially those of us who do not like snakes), but we need to ponder the situation in the camp. Snakes are slithering about the camp, crawling into tents, etc. For those who were not yet bitten, imagine the sense of overwhelming fear that begin to descend on the million plus assembly, not knowing whether they were about to be bitten. And if this event lasted more than a day, how could one possibly even sleep given the fear of being bitten and dying while asleep? So the picture is one of ongoing fear and fatalities. Numbers 21:7 So the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you; intercede with the LORD, that He may remove the serpents from us." And Moses interceded for the people. BGT Numbers 21:7 καὶ παραγενόμενος ὁ λαὸς πρὸς Μωυσῆν ἔλεγον ὅτι ἡμάρτομεν ὅτι κατελαλήσαμεν κατὰ τοῦ κυρίου καὶ κατὰ σοῦ εὖξαι οὖν πρὸς κύριον καὶ ἀφελέτω ἀφ᾽ ἡμῶν τὸν ὄφιν καὶ ηὔξατο Μωυσῆς πρὸς κύριον περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ NET Numbers 21:7 Then the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD that he would take away the snakes from us." So Moses prayed for the people. NLT Numbers 21:7 Then the people came to Moses and cried out, "We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take away the snakes." So Moses prayed for the people. ESV Numbers 21:7 And the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. NIV Numbers 21:7 The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people. KJV Numbers 21:7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. YLT Numbers 21:7 and the people come in unto Moses and say, 'We have sinned, for we have spoken against Jehovah, and against thee; pray unto Jehovah, and He doth turn aside from us the serpent;' and Moses prayeth in behalf of the people. LXE Numbers 21:7 And the people came to Moses and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee: pray therefore to the Lord, and let him take away the serpent from us. ASV Numbers 21:7 And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, because we have spoken against Jehovah, and against thee; pray unto Jehovah, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. CSB Numbers 21:7 The people then came to Moses and said, "We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so that He will take the snakes away from us." And Moses interceded for the people. NKJ Numbers 21:7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. NRS Numbers 21:7 The people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD to take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. NAB Numbers 21:7 Then the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. Pray the LORD to take the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people, NJB Numbers 21:7 The people came and said to Moses, 'We have sinned by speaking against Yahweh and against you. Intercede for us with Yahweh to save us from these serpents.' Moses interceded for the people, GWN Numbers 21:7 The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we criticized the LORD and you. Pray to the LORD so that he will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people. We have sinned: Ex 9:27,28 1Sa 12:19 15:24,30 Ps 78:34 Mt 27:4 pray: Ex 8:8,28 1Ki 13:6 Jer 37:3 Ac 8:24 Jas 5:16 And Moses: Nu 11:2 14:17-20 Ge 20:7 Ex 32:11,30 De 9:20,26-29 1Sa 12:20-23 Job 42:8,10 Ps 106:23 Jer 15:1 Ro 10:1 Numbers 21 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries CONSEQUENCES OF SIN PROMPT CONFESSION OF SIN So (term of conclusion) the people came to Moses - The result of the serpentine judgment was to awaken the people to the reality of their sin. Has this ever happened to you? You sin, the Lord disciplines you and you recognize that you have sinned against the holiness of God. And said, "We have sinned because we have spoken against the LORD and you - Those that were not yet bitten, came to their senses and confessed their sin and they even got the order correct -- all sin is first and foremost against God, even when it is against about person such as Moses in this case. The Septuagint rendering of have spoken against is more vivid for it uses the verb katalaleo which literally means to speak evil against, to express hostility in one's speaking, to slander another, to revile another, in this case the perfect Holy God! As an aside this is the second time in Numbers we read the words "we have sinned." The first time was from the lips of Aaron, who confessed his and his sister Miriam's sin (Nu 12:11+) when they challenged Moses' leadership which of course was a challenge of God's authority (read Nu 12:1-11+). His divine judgment on Miriam was immediate but at least was not fatal, although it was shameful because leprosy meant she must remain outside of the camp lest she defile other Israelites. On the occasion of expressing their unbelief regarding entrance into the promised land God decreed He would smite the entire nation, but after Moses (again) interceded, He reduced the punishment to prohibition to enter the promised land and death in the desert over the next 40 years (Nu 14:11-35+). God then killed the 10 spies who had made all the congregation grumble (Nu 14:36-37+). When the people heard God's verdict and saw the death of the 10 spies, they seem at first to come to their senses and cried "we have indeed sinned." (Nu 14:40+) And yet their confession was without repentance and they willfully tried to go into the promised land only to be defeated by the Amalekites and Canaanites (Nu 14:43-45+, cf Dt 1:41). In sum, their confession that they had sinned was not sincere. In contrast, here in Numbers 21, it does appear the people made a sincere confession and God provided a way of escape. Phrase we have sinned (these are interesting to read in context) - 21 verses - Nu 12:11; Nu 21:7; Dt. 1:41; Jdg. 10:10; Jdg. 10:15; 1 Sa 7:6; 1 Sa 12:10; 1 Ki. 8:47; 2 Chr. 6:37; Neh. 1:6; Ps. 106:6; Isa. 42:24; Jer. 3:25; Jer. 8:14; Jer. 14:7; Jer. 14:20; Lam. 5:16; Da 9:5; Da 9:8; Da 9:11; Da 9:15 (Da 9 = one of the most incredible prayers in Scripture). Against the LORD (these passages make an interesting study)- Gen. 13:13; Exod. 10:16; Exod. 16:7; Exod. 16:8; Lev. 6:2; Num. 5:6; Num. 14:9; Num. 16:11; Num. 21:7; Num. 26:9; Num. 27:3; Num. 31:16; Num. 32:23; Deut. 1:41; Deut. 9:7; Deut. 9:16; Deut. 9:24; Deut. 13:5; Deut. 20:18; Deut. 31:27; Jos. 7:20; Jos. 22:16; Jos. 22:18; Jos. 22:19; Jos. 22:22; Jos. 22:29; Jos. 22:31; 1 Sam. 2:25; 1 Sam. 7:6; 1 Sam. 12:23; 1 Sam. 14:33; 1 Sam. 14:34; 2 Sam. 12:13; 2 Ki. 17:7; 2 Ki. 17:9; 1 Chr. 10:13; 2 Chr. 13:12; 2 Chr. 28:10; 2 Chr. 28:13; 2 Chr. 32:16; Ps. 2:2; Prov. 19:3; Prov. 21:30; Isa. 3:8; Isa. 32:6; Jer. 3:13; Jer. 3:25; Jer. 8:14; Jer. 16:10; Jer. 28:16; Jer. 29:32; Jer. 40:3; Jer. 44:23; Jer. 50:7; Jer. 50:14; Jer. 50:29; Dan. 5:23; Hos. 5:7; Nah. 1:9; Nah. 1:11; Zeph. 1:17; Acts 4:26 Sinned (verb) (02398)(chata') means to miss the way, to fail; to err, to swerve from truth, to go wrong. The literal use describes an accurate shot by slingshot Jdg 20:16 - they could "not miss (chata')." Pr 19:2 conveys a related meaning of chata' in those versions that translate it as "miss the way." (Pr 19:2NIV) As Vine says "From this basic meaning comes the word’s chief usage to indicate moral failure toward both God and men, and certain results of such wrongs." When man sins he has missed the mark, the goal, or the way that God has set as standard. In an ironic use, the intensive (Piel) stem can mean "purified" or "to de-sin" and to to cleanse (Ex 29:36, David's request of God to purify him - Ps 51:7, Lxx = rhantizo = to sprinkle, figuratively = inward cleansing = "hearts sprinkled" - Heb 10:22; cf purify in Nu 8:21; 19:12,13, 20; 31:19, 20, 23).Chata can describe sin against another man (Ge 20:9), but most often describes sin against God, as in the first use (Ge 20:6). In a classic use by Joseph in the context of Potiphar's wife tempting him he declared "There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil, and sin against (Lxx = enantios = opposite, over against, opposed to, hostile toward) God?" (Ge 39:9) Chata is translated in the Septuagint (Lxx) by the verb hamartano which literally means to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize). Hamartano means to act contrary to the will and law of God. To commit a wrong. To be in error. Hamartano means to err (err is from Latin errare = to wander or to stray!) which means to wander from the right way, to deviate from the true course or purpose and so to violate an accepted standard of conduct. To err is to miss the right way. To err means to deviate from the path or line of duty. To stray by design or mistake. To err is to stray from God and/or His commandments. Hamartano means to swerve from the truth, to turn aside from the straight course charted by the Word of Truth. To swerve means to wander from any line prescribed, or from a rule of duty; to depart from what is established by law, duty or custom. In short hamartano means to miss the mark of God's perfect standard. THOUGHT - O, that God would grant us the grace to continually remember the perpetual principle that all sin is ultimately against God, and in so remembering, be strengthened to resist times of temptation and quick to confess when we do sin against Him! In Jesus' forgiving Name. Amen. Intercede with the LORD that He may remove the serpents from us - Israel has kicked against the authority of Moses, but now they are at the "end of their rope" and humble themselves before him. There is an old Motown song "Ain't to proud to beg," which might have been Israel's theme song in light of invasion of venomous vipers. And so the people specifically asked for Jehovah to remove the serpents which clearly acknowledged that they knew Who had sent the serpents as agents of death. As noted in the following passages, Moses responds and Yahweh answers, but not according to the specific request of the people. He did not remove the fiery serpents. Ps 106:43-45+ Many times He would deliver them; They, however, were rebellious in their counsel, And so sank down in their iniquity. 44 Nevertheless He looked upon their distress When He heard their cry; 45 And He remembered His covenant for their sake, And relented according to the greatness of His lovingkindness.