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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 21:9 So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/21-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/04_Num_21_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 21:9 - The Bronze Serpent" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. 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Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. <a href="/nlt/numbers/21.htm">New Living Translation</a> So Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed! <a href="/esv/numbers/21.htm">English Standard Version</a> So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live. <a href="/bsb/numbers/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live. <a href="/kjv/numbers/21.htm">King James Bible</a> And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. <a href="/nkjv/numbers/21.htm">New King James Version</a> So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. <a href="/nasb_/numbers/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So Moses made a bronze serpent and put it on the flag pole; and it came about, that if a serpent bit someone, and he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. <a href="/nasb/numbers/21.htm">NASB 1995</a> And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived. <a href="/nasb77/numbers/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived. <a href="/lsb/numbers/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it happened, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived. <a href="/amp/numbers/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So Moses made a serpent of bronze and put it on the pole, and it happened that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived. <a href="/csb/numbers/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever someone was bitten, and he looked at the bronze snake, he recovered. <a href="/hcsb/numbers/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever someone was bitten, and he looked at the bronze snake, he recovered. <a href="/asv/numbers/21.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it upon the standard: and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived. <a href="/cev/numbers/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Moses obeyed the LORD. And all of those who looked at the bronze snake lived, even though they had been bitten by the poisonous snakes. <a href="/erv/numbers/21.htm">English Revised Version</a> And Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it upon the standard: and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived. <a href="/gwt/numbers/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So Moses made a bronze snake and put it on a pole. People looked at the bronze snake after they were bitten, and they lived. <a href="/gnt/numbers/21.htm">Good News Translation</a> So Moses made a bronze snake and put it on a pole. Anyone who had been bitten would look at the bronze snake and be healed. <a href="/isv/numbers/21.htm">International Standard Version</a> So Moses made a bronze serpent and fastened it to a pole. If a person who had been bitten by a poisonous serpent looked to the serpent, he lived. <a href="/msb/numbers/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live. <a href="/net/numbers/21.htm">NET Bible</a> So Moses made a bronze snake and put it on a pole, so that if a snake had bitten someone, when he looked at the bronze snake he lived. <a href="/nheb/numbers/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Moses made a serpent of bronze, and set it on the standard: and it happened, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked to the serpent of bronze, he lived. <a href="/wbt/numbers/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. <a href="/web/numbers/21.htm">World English Bible</a> Moses made a serpent of bronze, and set it on the pole. If a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked at the serpent of bronze, he lived. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/numbers/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Moses makes a serpent of bronze, and sets it on the ensign, and it has been, if the serpent has bitten any man, and he has looked expectingly to the serpent of bronze—he has lived. <a href="/ylt/numbers/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Moses maketh a serpent of brass, and setteth it on the ensign, and it hath been, if the serpent hath bitten any man, and he hath looked expectingly unto the serpent of brass -- he hath lived. <a href="/slt/numbers/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Moses will make a brass serpent, and will set it up for a signal, and it was if the serpent bit a man and he looked upon the brass serpent, and he lived.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/numbers/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Moses therefore made a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: which when they that were bitten looked upon, they were healed. <a href="/cpdv/numbers/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Therefore, Moses made a bronze serpent, and he placed it as a sign. When those who had been struck gazed upon it, they were healed. <a href="/nabre/numbers/21.htm">New American Bible</a> Accordingly Moses made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever the serpent bit someone, the person looked at the bronze serpent and recovered. <a href="/nrsvce/numbers/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/numbers/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> So Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. <a href="/hpbt/numbers/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Moshe made the serpent of brass and he set it for a sign and whenever a serpent would bite a man, he gazed at the serpent of brass and he lived.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/numbers/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it upon the pole; and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived. <a href="/sep/numbers/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a signal-staff: and it came to pass that whenever a serpent bit a man, and he looked on the brazen serpent, he lived. <a href="/parallel/numbers/21-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=6587" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/numbers/21.htm">The Bronze Serpent</a> …8Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” 9<a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">So Moses</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: way·ya·‘aś (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">made</a> <a href="/hebrew/5178.htm" title="5178: nə·ḥō·šeṯ (N-fs) -- Copper, bronze. For nchuwshah; copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. Coin, a fetter; figuratively, base.">a bronze</a> <a href="/hebrew/5175.htm" title="5175: nə·ḥaš (N-msc) -- A serpent. From nachash; a snake.">snake</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: way·śi·mê·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">and mounted</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">it on</a> <a href="/hebrew/5251.htm" title="5251: han·nês (Art:: N-ms) -- From nacac; a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token.">a pole.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">anyone who</a> <a href="/hebrew/5391.htm" title="5391: nā·šaḵ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to strike with a sting; figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan.">was bitten</a> <a href="/hebrew/5027.htm" title="5027: wə·hib·bîṭ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To look. A primitive root; to scan, i.e. Look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care.">looked</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">at</a> <a href="/hebrew/5175.htm" title="5175: nə·ḥaš (N-msc) -- A serpent. From nachash; a snake."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5178.htm" title="5178: han·nə·ḥō·šeṯ (Art:: N-fs) -- Copper, bronze. For nchuwshah; copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. Coin, a fetter; figuratively, base.">the bronze</a> <a href="/hebrew/5175.htm" title="5175: han·nā·ḥāš (Art:: N-ms) -- A serpent. From nachash; a snake.">snake,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: wā·ḥāy (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">he would live.</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/3-14.htm">John 3:14-15</a> Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, / that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. <a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4</a> He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it. <a href="/isaiah/45-22.htm">Isaiah 45:22</a> Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. <a href="/john/12-32.htm">John 12:32</a> And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.” <a href="/1_corinthians/10-9.htm">1 Corinthians 10:9</a> We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. <a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a> For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. <a href="/john/8-28.htm">John 8:28</a> So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me. <a href="/isaiah/53-5.htm">Isaiah 53:5</a> But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-21.htm">2 Corinthians 5:21</a> God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. <a href="/galatians/3-13.htm">Galatians 3:13</a> Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” <a href="/hebrews/12-2.htm">Hebrews 12:2</a> Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. <a href="/psalms/107-20.htm">Psalm 107:20</a> He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit. <a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm">Isaiah 6:10</a> Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” <a href="/matthew/9-21.htm">Matthew 9:21</a> She said to herself, “If only I touch His cloak, I will be healed.” <a href="/john/6-40.htm">John 6:40</a> For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it on a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.A serpent of<a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4</a> He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.<a href="/john/3-14.htm">John 3:14,15</a> And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: … <a href="/john/12-32.htm">John 12:32</a> And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.when he<a href="/isaiah/45-22.htm">Isaiah 45:22</a> Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.<a href="/zechariah/12-10.htm">Zechariah 12:10</a> And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.<a href="/john/1-29.htm">John 1:29</a> The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.he lived<a href="/john/6-40.htm">John 6:40</a> And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.<a href="/romans/1-17.htm">Romans 1:17</a> For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.<a href="/romans/5-20.htm">Romans 5:20,21</a> Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/24-11.htm">Beheld</a> <a href="/numbers/21-6.htm">Bit</a> <a href="/numbers/21-8.htm">Bitten</a> <a href="/numbers/16-39.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/numbers/16-39.htm">Bronze</a> <a href="/numbers/21-8.htm">Ensign</a> <a href="/genesis/19-26.htm">Expectingly</a> <a href="/numbers/21-8.htm">Live</a> <a href="/numbers/8-21.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/numbers/21-8.htm">Pole</a> <a href="/numbers/21-8.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/numbers/21-8.htm">Serpent</a> <a href="/numbers/21-8.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/numbers/21-8.htm">Standard</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/23-21.htm">Beheld</a> <a href="/numbers/31-20.htm">Bit</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-8.htm">Bitten</a> <a href="/numbers/31-22.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/numbers/31-22.htm">Bronze</a> <a href="/psalms/60-4.htm">Ensign</a> <a href="/job/6-19.htm">Expectingly</a> <a href="/numbers/22-33.htm">Live</a> <a href="/numbers/24-7.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Pole</a> <a href="/numbers/21-18.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-15.htm">Serpent</a> <a href="/job/20-16.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/17-17.htm">Standard</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 21</div>1. <a href="/numbers/21-1.htm">Israel destroys the Canaanites at Hormah</a> 4. <a href="/numbers/21-4.htm">The people murmuring are plagued with fiery serpents</a> 7. <a href="/numbers/21-7.htm">They repenting are healed by a bronze serpent</a> 10. <a href="/numbers/21-10.htm">Various journeys of the Israelites</a> 21. <a href="/numbers/21-21.htm">Sihon is overcome</a> 33. <a href="/numbers/21-33.htm">And Og</a> </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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So Moses made a bronze snake In response to the Israelites' complaints and subsequent punishment by venomous snakes, God instructed Moses to create a bronze serpent. The use of bronze, a durable metal, signifies judgment and endurance. The serpent, typically a symbol of sin and evil, here represents the sin of the people and the consequences of their rebellion. This act of crafting a bronze snake is a unique instance of God using a symbol of sin as a means of deliverance, foreshadowing the redemptive work of Christ.and mounted it on a pole. The pole elevates the bronze snake, making it visible to all who are afflicted. This act of lifting up is significant, as it prefigures the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who was lifted up on the cross for the salvation of humanity. The pole serves as a focal point for the Israelites' faith and obedience, requiring them to look upon it for healing. This mirrors the New Testament teaching that faith in Christ's sacrifice is necessary for spiritual healing and salvation.If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, The condition for healing was simple: to look at the bronze snake. This act of looking signifies faith and trust in God's provision for healing. It required the Israelites to acknowledge their sin and the means of their deliverance. This parallels the call to faith in the New Testament, where belief in Jesus Christ is the means of receiving eternal life. The bitten individuals represent humanity, afflicted by sin and in need of divine intervention.he would live. The promise of life upon looking at the bronze snake underscores God's mercy and the power of faith. This physical healing is a type of the spiritual life offered through Christ. Just as the Israelites were saved from physical death by looking at the bronze serpent, believers are saved from spiritual death by looking to Christ in faith. This passage is directly referenced in <a href="/john/3-14.htm">John 3:14-15</a>, where Jesus explains that just as Moses lifted up the serpent, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. In this passage, Moses acts in obedience to God's command to create a means of healing for the Israelites. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> God's chosen people, who are journeying through the wilderness to the Promised Land. They are suffering from snake bites as a consequence of their complaints against God and Moses. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_bronze_serpent.htm">The Bronze Serpent</a> A symbol of God's provision and mercy. It was crafted by Moses as instructed by God and served as a means of healing for those who looked upon it in faith. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a> The setting of the Israelites' journey, representing both physical and spiritual challenges. It is a place of testing and growth for the Israelites. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_fiery_serpents.htm">The Fiery Serpents</a> Sent by God as a judgment upon the Israelites for their rebellion and complaints. Their bites caused suffering and death, leading the people to repentance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_obedience.htm">Faith and Obedience</a> The Israelites were healed by looking at the bronze serpent, an act of faith and obedience. Similarly, our spiritual healing comes through faith in Christ's redemptive work. <a href="/topical/g/god's_provision.htm">God's Provision</a> Even in judgment, God provides a means of salvation. This reflects His mercy and grace, encouraging us to trust in His provision in our own lives. <a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_the_cross.htm">Symbolism of the Cross</a> The bronze serpent prefigures the cross, where Christ was lifted up for our salvation. It reminds us of the power of the cross and the necessity of looking to Jesus for eternal life. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a> The Israelites' repentance led to their healing. This teaches us the importance of turning away from sin and seeking God's forgiveness for restoration. <a href="/topical/a/avoiding_idolatry.htm">Avoiding Idolatry</a> The later misuse of the bronze serpent as an idol warns us against allowing symbols or traditions to take the place of God in our hearts.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 21</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_snakes.htm">What is the biblical perspective on snakes?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_iconoclasm.htm">What defines iconoclasm?</a> <a href="/q/what_do_colors_symbolize_in_the_bible.htm">What do colors symbolize in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_moses'_serpent_link_to_jesus.htm">John 3:14-15 references Moses lifting up the serpent; is there archeological or historical evidence to verify this event and its connection to Jesus?</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>(9) And Moses made a serpent of brass.--The old serpent was the cause of death, temporal and spiritual. Christ Jesus, "in the likeness of sinful flesh" (<a href="/romans/8-3.htm" title="For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:">Romans 8:3</a>), was made sin for us (<a href="/2_corinthians/5-21.htm" title="For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.">2Corinthians 5:21</a>), and thus fulfilled, as He Himself explained to Nicodemus, the type of the brazen serpent (<a href="/context/john/3-14.htm" title="And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:">John 3:14-15</a>). The meaning of this type, or "sign of salvation," is explained in the Book of Wisdom in these words, "He that turned himself toward it was not saved by the thing that he saw, but by Thee, that art the Saviour of all" (<a href="/numbers/16-7.htm" title="And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD does choose, he shall be holy: you take too much on you, you sons of Levi.">Numbers 16:7</a>). This serpent was preserved by the Israelites, and taken into Canaan, and was ultimately destroyed by King Hezekiah, after it had become an object of idolatrous worship (<a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm" title="He removed the high places, and broke the images, and cut down the groves, and broke in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made: for to those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.">2Kings 18:4</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 9. - When he beheld the serpent (גָחָשׁ in all three places of this verse) of brass, he lived. The record is brief and simple in the extreme, and tells nothing but the bare facts. The author of the Book of Wisdom understood the true bearing of those facts when he called the brazen serpent a σύμβολον σωτηρρίας (Wisdom 16:6), and when he wrote ὁ ἐπιστραφεὶς οὐ διὰ τὸ θεωρούμενον (the thing he looked at) ἐσώζετο ἀλλὰ διὰ σὲ τὸν πάντων σωτῆρα. At an earlier day Hezekiah had estimated the σύμβολον σωτηρίας at its true value, as being in itself worthless, and under certain circumstances mischievous (see on 2 Kings 18:4). CHAPTER 21:10-35 THE END OF JOURNEYS, THE BEGINNING OF VICTORIES (verse 10-<a href="/numbers/22-1.htm">Numbers 22:1</a>). <a href="/commentaries/numbers/21-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So Moses מֹשֶׁה֙ (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver made וַיַּ֤עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make a bronze נְחֹ֔שֶׁת (nə·ḥō·šeṯ) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5178.htm">Strong's 5178: </a> Copper, something made of that metal, coin, a fetter, base snake נְחַ֣שׁ (nə·ḥaš) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5175.htm">Strong's 5175: </a> A serpent and mounted וַיְשִׂמֵ֖הוּ (way·śi·mê·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> Put -- to put, place, set it on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against a pole. הַנֵּ֑ס (han·nês) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5251.htm">Strong's 5251: </a> A flag, a sail, a flagstaff, a signal, a token If אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not anyone who אִ֔ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person was bitten נָשַׁ֤ךְ (nā·šaḵ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5391.htm">Strong's 5391: </a> To strike with a, sting, to oppress with usury looked וְהִבִּ֛יט (wə·hib·bîṭ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5027.htm">Strong's 5027: </a> To scan, look intently at, to regard at אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the bronze הַנְּחֹ֖שֶׁת (han·nə·ḥō·šeṯ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5178.htm">Strong's 5178: </a> Copper, something made of that metal, coin, a fetter, base serpent, הַנָּחָשׁ֙ (han·nā·ḥāš) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5175.htm">Strong's 5175: </a> A serpent he would recover. וָחָֽי׃ (wā·ḥāy) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2425.htm">Strong's 2425: </a> To live, to revive <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/21-9.htm">Numbers 21:9 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/numbers/21-9.htm">Numbers 21:9 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/numbers/21-9.htm">Numbers 21:9 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/numbers/21-9.htm">Numbers 21:9 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/numbers/21-9.htm">Numbers 21:9 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/21-9.htm">Numbers 21:9 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/21-9.htm">Numbers 21:9 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/21-9.htm">Numbers 21:9 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/21-9.htm">Numbers 21:9 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/numbers/21-9.htm">Numbers 21:9 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/numbers/21-9.htm">OT Law: Numbers 21:9 Moses made a serpent of brass (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/21-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 21:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 21:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/21-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 21:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 21:10" /></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>