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And from the wilderness <i>they went</i> to Mattanah:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The well the leaders sank, Dug by the nation’s nobles, By the lawgiver, with their staves.” And from the wilderness <i>they went</i> to Mattanah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“The well, which the leaders dug, Which the nobles of the people hollowed out, With the scepter <i>and</i> with their staffs.” And from the wilderness <i>they continued</i> to Mattanah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220The well, which the leaders sank, Which the nobles of the people dug, With the scepter and with their staffs.&#8221 And from the wilderness they continued to Mattanah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“The well, which the leaders sank, Which the nobles of the people dug, With the scepter <i>and</i> with their staffs.”<PR>And from the wilderness <i>they continued</i> to Mattanah, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The well, which the leaders dug, Which the nobles of the people carved out, With the scepter <i>and</i> with their staffs.” And from the wilderness <i>they continued</i> to Mattanah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The well which the leaders dug, Which the nobles of the people hollowed out With the scepter and with their staffs.” And from the wilderness <i>Israel journeyed</i> to Mattanah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The princes dug the well; the nobles of the people hollowed it out with a scepter and with their staffs. They went from the wilderness to Mattanah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The princes dug the well; the nobles of the people hollowed it out with a scepter and with their staffs. They went from the wilderness to Mattanah, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The well, which the princes digged, Which the nobles of the people delved, With the sceptre, and with their staves. And from the wilderness they journeyed to Mattanah;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />With their royal scepters, our leaders pointed out where to dig the well. The Israelites left the desert and camped near the town of Mattanah, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The well, which the princes digged, Which the nobles of the people delved, With the sceptre, and with their staves. And from the wilderness they journeyed to Mattanah:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />the well dug by princes, dug out by the nobles of the people with their scepters and staffs." From the desert they went to Mattanah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The well dug by princes And by leaders of the people, Dug with a royal scepter And with their walking sticks." They moved from the wilderness to Mattanah, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />It's the well that the leaders dug, the one carved out by the nobles of the people with their scepters and staffs. Then they moved on in the wilderness from there to Mattanah, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The princes dug the well; the nobles of the people hollowed it out with their scepters and with their staffs.? From the wilderness the Israelites went on to Mattanah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The well which the princes dug, which the leaders of the people opened with their scepters and their staffs." And from the wilderness they traveled to Mattanah;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />the well, which the princes dug, which the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter, and with their staffs." From the wilderness they traveled to Mattanah;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staffs. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />the well, which the princes dug, which the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter, and with their poles.” From the wilderness they traveled to Mattanah; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A well—princes have dug it, "" Nobles of the people have prepared it, "" With the lawgiver, with their staffs.” And from the wilderness [they journeyed] to Mattanah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A well -- digged it have princes, Prepared it have nobles of the people, With the lawgiver, with their staves.' And from the wilderness they journeyed to Mattanah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The leaders dug it, the nobles of the people dug it, by cutting in by their props. And from the desert to Mattanah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The well, which the princes dug, and the chiefs of the people prepared by the direction of the lawgiver, and with their staves. And they marched from the wilderness to Mathana. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“The well, the leaders dug it, and the commanders of the multitude prepared it, at the direction of the lawgiver, and with their staffs.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The well that the princes sank, that the nobles of the people dug, With their scepters and their staffs— from the wilderness, a gift. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />the well that the leaders sank, that the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter, with the staff.” From the wilderness to Mattanah,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The well which the princes dug, which the nobles of the people uncovered and searched out with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The well that the Princes dug and the Rulers of the people dug up and they searched it with their scepters, and from the wilderness she inhabited Matne.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The well, which the princes digged, Which the nobles of the people delved, With the sceptre, and with their staves. And from the wilderness to Mattanah;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />the princes digged it, the kings of the nations in their kingdom, in their lordship sank it in the rock: and <i>they went</i> from the well to Manthanain,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/21-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=6654" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/21.htm">The Journey to Moab</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well, all of you sing to it! <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8269.htm" title="8269: śā·rîm (N-mp) -- Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince. From sarar; a head person.">The princes</a> <a href="/hebrew/2658.htm" title="2658: ḥă·p̄ā·rū·hā (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 3fs) -- To dig, search for. A primitive root; properly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore.">dug</a> <a href="/hebrew/875.htm" title="875: bə·’êr (N-fs) -- A well, pit. From ba'ar; a pit; especially a well.">the well;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5081.htm" title="5081: nə·ḏî·ḇê (Adj-mpc) -- Inclined, generous, noble. From nadab; properly, voluntary, i.e. Generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee.">the nobles</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">of the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/3738.htm" title="3738: kā·rū·hā (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 3fs) -- To dig, to plot, to bore, open. A primitive root; properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot; generally, to bore or open.">hollowed it out</a> <a href="/hebrew/2710.htm" title="2710: bim·ḥō·qêq (Prep-b:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To cut in, inscribe, decree. A primitive root; properly, to hack, i.e. Engrave; by implication, to enact or Prescribe.">with their scepters</a> <a href="/hebrew/4938.htm" title="4938: bə·miš·‘ă·nō·ṯām (Prep-b:: N-fpc:: 3mp) -- Support, sustenance, a walking-stick. Or mishteneth; feminine of mish'en; support, i.e. sustenance or a walking-stick.">and with their staffs.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: ū·mim·miḏ·bār (Conj-w, Prep-m:: N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">From the wilderness the Israelites went on</a> <a href="/hebrew/4980.htm" title="4980: mat·tā·nāh (N-proper-fs) -- A place E. of the Jordan. The same as mattanah; Mattanah, a place in the Desert.">to Mattanah,</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>and from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/12-3.htm">Isaiah 12:3</a></span><br />With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-10.htm">John 4:10-14</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” / “Sir,” the woman replied, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then will You get this living water? / Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-4.htm">1 Corinthians 10:4</a></span><br />and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/15-27.htm">Exodus 15:27</a></span><br />Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there by the waters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/114-8.htm">Psalm 114:8</a></span><br />who turned the rock into a pool, the flint into a fountain of water!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/8-15.htm">Deuteronomy 8:15</a></span><br />He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/15-19.htm">Judges 15:19</a></span><br />So God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned, and he was revived. That is why he named it En-hakkore, and it remains in Lehi to this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-15.htm">Psalm 78:15-16</a></span><br />He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as abundant as the seas. / He brought streams from the stone and made water flow down like rivers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-17.htm">Isaiah 41:17-18</a></span><br />The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. / I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-37.htm">John 7:37-39</a></span><br />On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” / He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-15.htm">Nehemiah 9:15</a></span><br />In their hunger You gave them bread from heaven; in their thirst You brought them water from the rock. You told them to go in and possess the land that You had sworn to give them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-41.htm">Psalm 105:41</a></span><br />He opened a rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-1.htm">Isaiah 55:1</a></span><br />“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/22-17.htm">Revelation 22:17</a></span><br />The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-16.htm">2 Kings 3:16-20</a></span><br />and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’ / For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’ / This is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD, and He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The princes dig the well, the nobles of the people dig it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah:</p><p class="hdg">princes</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/17-7.htm">2 Chronicles 17:7-9</a></b></br> Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, <i>even</i> to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/3-1.htm">Nehemiah 3:1,5</a></b></br> Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_timothy/6-17.htm">1 Timothy 6:17,18</a></b></br> Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; … </p><p class="hdg">the lawgiver</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/5-31.htm">Deuteronomy 5:31</a></b></br> But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do <i>them</i> in the land which I give them to possess it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/33-4.htm">Deuteronomy 33:4</a></b></br> Moses commanded us a law, <i>even</i> the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/33-22.htm">Isaiah 33:22</a></b></br> For the LORD <i>is</i> our judge, the LORD <i>is</i> our lawgiver, the LORD <i>is</i> our king; he will save us.</p><p class="hdg">and from</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/33-45.htm">Numbers 33:45-47</a></b></br> And they departed from Iim, and pitched in Dibongad… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/16-2.htm">Chiefs</a> <a href="/numbers/21-16.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/leviticus/13-34.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/numbers/21-13.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/exodus/7-24.htm">Digged</a> <a href="/numbers/20-21.htm">Direction</a> <a href="/exodus/7-24.htm">Dug</a> <a href="/psalms/7-15.htm">Hollowed</a> <a href="/numbers/21-16.htm">Journeyed</a> <a href="/genesis/49-10.htm">Lawgiver</a> <a href="/exodus/24-11.htm">Nobles</a> <a href="/numbers/18-16.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/numbers/4-14.htm">Poles</a> <a href="/numbers/15-11.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/numbers/17-6.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/numbers/21-9.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/exodus/15-10.htm">Sank</a> <a href="/genesis/49-10.htm">Scepter</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-11.htm">Scepters</a> <a href="/genesis/49-10.htm">Sceptre</a> <a href="/numbers/17-9.htm">Staffs</a> <a href="/numbers/17-9.htm">Staves</a> <a href="/numbers/15-33.htm">Sticks</a> <a href="/numbers/21-10.htm">Traveled</a> <a href="/numbers/21-13.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/numbers/21-13.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/22-8.htm">Chiefs</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-1.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-39.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/numbers/21-20.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-11.htm">Digged</a> <a href="/numbers/24-24.htm">Direction</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-11.htm">Dug</a> <a href="/psalms/7-15.htm">Hollowed</a> <a href="/numbers/22-1.htm">Journeyed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-21.htm">Lawgiver</a> <a href="/judges/5-13.htm">Nobles</a> <a href="/numbers/23-10.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Poles</a> <a href="/numbers/21-27.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/numbers/22-8.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/numbers/24-17.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/judges/3-22.htm">Sank</a> <a href="/numbers/24-17.htm">Scepter</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-11.htm">Scepters</a> <a href="/numbers/24-17.htm">Sceptre</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-43.htm">Staffs</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-43.htm">Staves</a> <a href="/judges/15-4.htm">Sticks</a> <a href="/numbers/22-1.htm">Traveled</a> <a href="/numbers/21-20.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/numbers/21-20.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/21-1.htm">Israel destroys the Canaanites at Hormah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/21-4.htm">The people murmuring are plagued with fiery serpents</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/21-7.htm">They repenting are healed by a bronze serpent</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/21-10.htm">Various journeys of the Israelites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/21-21.htm">Sihon is overcome</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/21-33.htm">And Og</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the ancient Near East, wells were vital for survival, especially in arid regions. The act of digging a well by the princes signifies leadership and responsibility. It reflects a communal effort led by those in authority, emphasizing the importance of servant leadership. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who provides living water (<a href="/john/4-10.htm">John 4:10-14</a>) and leads by serving others (<a href="/mark/10-45.htm">Mark 10:45</a>).<p><b>the nobles of the people hollowed it out with their scepters and with their staffs.</b><br>The nobles using their scepters and staffs to hollow out the well symbolizes the use of authority and power for the benefit of the community. Scepters and staffs are traditional symbols of leadership and governance, indicating that those in power are actively participating in the work. This act can be seen as a model for how leaders should use their authority to serve and support their people. It also reflects the unity and cooperation among the Israelites during their journey. This cooperation is reminiscent of the unity in the body of Christ, where each member works together for the common good (<a href="/1_corinthians/12-12.htm">1 Corinthians 12:12-27</a>).<p><b>From the wilderness the Israelites went on to Mattanah,</b><br>The journey from the wilderness to Mattanah marks a transition from a place of desolation to one of provision. The wilderness often represents a place of testing and reliance on God, as seen throughout the Israelites' journey. Mattanah, meaning "gift" in Hebrew, signifies a place of divine provision and blessing. This transition can be seen as a metaphor for the Christian journey from spiritual barrenness to receiving the gifts of God. It also foreshadows the ultimate rest and provision found in Christ, who leads believers from the wilderness of sin into the promised rest (<a href="/hebrews/4.htm">Hebrews 4:1-11</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/princes_and_nobles.htm">Princes and Nobles</a></b><br>These are the leaders of Israel who took part in the digging of the well. Their involvement signifies leadership and responsibility in providing for the community.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_well.htm">The Well</a></b><br>A symbol of provision and sustenance, the well represents God's provision for His people during their journey through the wilderness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/scepters_and_staffs.htm">Scepters and Staffs</a></b><br>These are symbols of authority and leadership. The use of these tools in digging the well highlights the active role of leaders in serving the community.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of Israel, who are on their journey to the Promised Land, are the beneficiaries of the well.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/wilderness_journey.htm">Wilderness Journey</a></b><br>The context of this event is the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, a time of testing and reliance on God's provision.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_in_service.htm">Leadership in Service</a></b><br>True leadership involves serving others and meeting their needs. The princes and nobles actively participated in providing for the community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision.htm">God's Provision</a></b><br>Just as God provided water in the wilderness, He provides for our needs today. Trust in His provision is essential.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_water.htm">Symbolism of Water</a></b><br>Water is a recurring symbol of life and sustenance in the Bible. It points to both physical and spiritual nourishment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_effort.htm">Community Effort</a></b><br>The digging of the well was a communal effort led by the leaders, emphasizing the importance of working together for the common good.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>The act of digging the well required faith and action, demonstrating that faith often requires us to take practical steps in obedience to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_levites_live_without_farmland.htm">If the Levites had no land inheritance (Joshua 21:2), how could they sustainably live in the granted cities without farmland?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_israel_retreat_after_the_sacrifice.htm">Why would a single human sacrifice on a city wall abruptly force Israel's retreat (2 Kings 3:26-27)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_permit_biblical_genocides.htm">Why does God allow genocides to happen, including those commanded in the Bible (Numbers 31:17-18)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_tithes,_offerings.htm">What does the Bible say about tithes and offerings?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">By the direction of the lawgiver.--</span>Better, <span class= "ital">with the ruler's staff. </span>The same word occurs in <a href="/genesis/49-10.htm" title="The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and to him shall the gathering of the people be.">Genesis 49:10</a>, where it stands in parallelism to "the sceptre." (See Note <span class= "ital">in loc.</span>)<p><span class= "bld">And from the wilderness they went to Mat-tanah.--</span>The Targums interpret this and <a href="/context/numbers/21-19.htm" title="And from Mattanah to Nahaliel: and from Nahaliel to Bamoth:">Numbers 21:19-20</a> of the well, <span class= "ital">And from the wilderness it was given to them for a gift, and from thence it was given to them in Mattanah, &c. </span>The Targum of Onkelos is as follows: "And from the time that it was given to them, it descended with them to the rivers, &c." The Targum of Palestine is--"And from the wilderness, &c." (as above).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">By the direction of the lawgiver,</span> <span class="hebrew">בִּמְחֹקֵק</span>. Literally, "by the lawgiver," or, as some prefer, "with the scepter." The meaning of <span class="accented">michokek</span> is disputed (see on Genesis 49:10), but in either ease the meaning must be practically as in the A.V. It speaks of the alacrity with which the leaders of Israel, Moses himself amongst them, began the work even with the insignia of their office. <span class="cmt_word">And from the wilderness... to Mattanah.</span> Beer was still in the desert country eastward of the cultivated belt: from thence they crossed, still on the north of Arnon, and probably leaving it somewhat to the south, into a more settled country. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/21-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The princes</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׂרִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(śā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8269.htm">Strong's 8269: </a> </span><span class="str2">Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dug</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲפָר֣וּהָ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·p̄ā·rū·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2658.htm">Strong's 2658: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pry into, to delve, to explore</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the well;</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּאֵ֞ר</span> <span class="translit">(bə·’êr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_875.htm">Strong's 875: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pit, a well</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the nobles</span><br /><span class="heb">נְדִיבֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(nə·ḏî·ḇê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5081.htm">Strong's 5081: </a> </span><span class="str2">Voluntary, generous, magnanimous, a grandee</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the people</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hollowed it out</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּר֙וּהָ֙</span> <span class="translit">(kā·rū·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3738.htm">Strong's 3738: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dig, to plot, to bore, open</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with their scepters</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּמְחֹקֵ֖ק</span> <span class="translit">(bim·ḥō·qêq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2710.htm">Strong's 2710: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hack, engrave, to enact, prescribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and with their staffs.”</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמִשְׁעֲנֹתָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·miš·‘ă·nō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4938.htm">Strong's 4938: </a> </span><span class="str2">Support, sustenance, a walking-stick</span><br /><br /><span class="word">From the wilderness [the Israelites went on]</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִמִּדְבָּ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mim·miḏ·bār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pasture, a desert, speech</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Mattanah,</span><br /><span class="heb">מַתָּנָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(mat·tā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4980.htm">Strong's 4980: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mattanah -- a place East of the Jordan</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/21-18.htm">Numbers 21:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/21-18.htm">Numbers 21:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/21-18.htm">Numbers 21:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/21-18.htm">Numbers 21:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/21-18.htm">Numbers 21:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/21-18.htm">Numbers 21:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/21-18.htm">Numbers 21:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/21-18.htm">Numbers 21:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/21-18.htm">Numbers 21:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/21-18.htm">Numbers 21:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/21-18.htm">OT Law: Numbers 21:18 The well which the princes dug which (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/21-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 21:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 21:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/21-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 21:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 21:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>