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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then Israel made this vow to the LORD: &#8220If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy their cities.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Israel made a vow to the LORD: “If You will deliver this people into our hands, we will devote their cities to destruction.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Israel made a vow to the LORD and said, “If You will indeed hand over this people to me, then I will utterly destroy their cities.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So Israel made a vow to the LORD and said, &#8220If You will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So Israel made a vow to the LORD, and said, “If Thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So Israel made a vow to Yahweh and said, “If You will indeed give this people into my hand, then I will devote their cities to destruction.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So Israel made a vow to the LORD, and said, “If You will indeed hand over these people to me, then I will utterly destroy their cities.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Israel made a vow to the LORD, “If you will hand this people over to us, we will completely destroy their cities.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Israel made a vow to the LORD, &#8220If You will deliver this people into our hands, we will completely destroy their cities.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The Israelites prayed, "Our LORD, if you will help us defeat these Canaanites, we will completely destroy their towns and everything in them, to show that they belong to you." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />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."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then the Israelites made a vow to the LORD: "If you will let us conquer these people, we will unconditionally dedicate them and their cities to you and will destroy them." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Israel made this vow in the LORD's presence: "If you give these people into our control, we intend to devote their cities to total destruction." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Israel made a vow to the LORD: ?If You will deliver this people into our hands, we will devote their cities to destruction.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />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."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Israel vowed a vow to the LORD, and said, "If you will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Israel vowed a vow to the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Israel vowed a vow to Yahweh, and said, “If you will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Israel vows a vow to YHWH and says, “If You certainly give this people into my hand, then I have devoted their cities”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Israel will vow a vow to Jehovah, and will say, If giving, thou wilt give this people into my hand, and I exterminated their cities.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But Israel binding himself by vow to the Lord, said: It thou wilt deliver this people into my hand, I will utterly destroy their cities. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But Israel, obliging himself by a vow to the Lord, said: “If you deliver this people into my hand, I will wipe away their cities.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Israel then made this vow to the LORD: “If you deliver this people into my hand, I will put their cities under the ban.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />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.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Israel vowed a vow to the LORD and said, If thou wilt surely deliver this people into our hands, then we will utterly destroy their cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Israel vowed a vow to LORD JEHOVAH and said, “If you will hand over this people into my hands, I shall destroy their towns utterly.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />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 <i>to thee</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/21-2.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=6511" 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 Defeat of Arad</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked Israel and captured some prisoners. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">So Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/5087.htm" title="5087: way·yid·dar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To vow. A primitive root; to promise.">made</a> <a href="/hebrew/5088.htm" title="5088: ne·ḏer (N-ms) -- A vow. Or neder; from nadar; a promise; also a thing promised.">a vow</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">to the LORD:</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></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/5414.htm" title="5414: nā·ṯōn (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">You will deliver</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tit·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application."></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/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</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.">people</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yā·ḏî (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">into our hands,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2763.htm" title="2763: wə·ha·ḥă·ram·tî (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to seclude; specifically to devote to religious uses; physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose.">we will devote</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/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘ā·rê·hem (N-fpc:: 3mp) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">their cities to destruction.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>And the LORD heard Israel’s plea and delivered up the Canaanites. Israel devoted them and their cities to destruction; so they named the place Hormah.…<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="/judges/11-30.htm">Judges 11:30-31</a></span><br />Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand, / then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-11.htm">1 Samuel 1:11</a></span><br />And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-20.htm">Genesis 28:20-22</a></span><br />Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, and if He will provide me with food to eat and clothes to wear, / so that I may return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God. / And this stone I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give You a tenth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-21.htm">Deuteronomy 23:21-23</a></span><br />If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. / But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. / Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/66-13.htm">Psalm 66:13-14</a></span><br />I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will fulfill my vows to You— / the vows that my lips promised and my mouth spoke in my distress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:4-5</a></span><br />When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. / It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/6-17.htm">Joshua 6:17-19</a></span><br />Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent. / But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of these, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and bring disaster upon it. / For all the silver and gold and all the articles of bronze and iron are holy to the LORD; they must go into His treasury.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-8.htm">1 Samuel 15:8-9</a></span><br />He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword. / Saul and his troops spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs, and the best of everything else. They were unwilling to devote them to destruction, but they devoted to destruction all that was despised and worthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-27.htm">2 Kings 3:27</a></span><br />So he took his firstborn son, who was to succeed him, and offered him as a burnt offering on the city wall. And there was great fury against the Israelites, so they withdrew and returned to their own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/27-28.htm">Leviticus 27:28-29</a></span><br />Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. / No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/18-18.htm">Acts 18:18</a></span><br />Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/21-23.htm">Acts 21:23-24</a></span><br />Therefore do what we advise you. There are four men with us who have taken a vow. / Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">Matthew 5:33-37</a></span><br />Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/23-12.htm">Acts 23:12-14</a></span><br />When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Israel vowed a vow to the LORD, and said, If you will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.</p><p class="hdg">vowed</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/28-20.htm">Genesis 28:20</a></b></br> And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/11-30.htm">Judges 11:30</a></b></br> And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/1-11.htm">1 Samuel 1:11</a></b></br> And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head.</p><p class="hdg">I will</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/27-28.htm">Leviticus 27:28,29</a></b></br> Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, <i>both</i> of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing <i>is</i> most holy unto the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Deuteronomy 13:15</a></b></br> Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that <i>is</i> therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/6-17.htm">Joshua 6:17,26</a></b></br> And the city shall be accursed, <i>even</i> it, and all that <i>are</i> therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that <i>are</i> with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/13-28.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/numbers/14-29.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-26.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/numbers/14-12.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/numbers/17-12.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/numbers/18-14.htm">Devoted</a> <a href="/numbers/20-20.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/numbers/14-31.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/numbers/16-14.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/numbers/18-14.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/numbers/16-30.htm">Totally</a> <a href="/numbers/15-31.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/numbers/15-8.htm">Vow</a> <a href="/numbers/6-21.htm">Vowed</a> <a href="/numbers/6-21.htm">Voweth</a> <a href="/numbers/17-13.htm">Wholly</a> <a href="/numbers/16-22.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/21-3.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-34.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/numbers/35-25.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/numbers/24-17.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/numbers/21-3.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-26.htm">Devoted</a> <a href="/numbers/21-26.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/numbers/21-29.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/numbers/22-3.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/numbers/29-39.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-2.htm">Totally</a> <a href="/numbers/21-3.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/numbers/29-39.htm">Vow</a> <a href="/numbers/30-6.htm">Vowed</a> <a href="/numbers/30-2.htm">Voweth</a> <a href="/numbers/32-11.htm">Wholly</a> <a href="/numbers/23-13.htm">Wilt</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'; </script> <script 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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><b>So Israel made a vow to the LORD:</b><br>In the ancient Near Eastern context, vows were solemn promises made to God, often in times of distress or need. This reflects Israel's dependence on divine intervention for victory. Vows were binding and required fulfillment, as seen in other biblical instances like Jephthah's vow in <a href="/judges/11-30.htm">Judges 11:30-31</a>. The act of making a vow indicates Israel's recognition of God's sovereignty and their commitment to follow through on their promise.<p><b>If You will deliver this people into our hands:</b><br>This phrase highlights Israel's reliance on God's power for military success. The "people" referred to are the Canaanites, who were occupying the land promised to Israel. The request for deliverance underscores the belief that victory in battle was not merely a result of human effort but required divine assistance. This reflects a recurring theme in the Old Testament where God is seen as the ultimate warrior and deliverer, as in <a href="/exodus/15-3.htm">Exodus 15:3</a>.<p><b>we will devote their cities to destruction:</b><br>The term "devote to destruction" translates the Hebrew word "herem," which means to consecrate something to God by completely destroying it. This was a common practice in ancient warfare, especially in the context of holy war, where the spoils of war were not to be taken for personal gain but were to be entirely given over to God. This act was meant to purify the land from idolatry and pagan influences, aligning with God's command in <a href="/deuteronomy/7-2.htm">Deuteronomy 7:2</a>. It also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and purification that Christ will bring, as seen in <a href="/revelation/19-11.htm">Revelation 19:11-16</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The collective name for the descendants of Jacob, also known as the Israelites. At this point in their journey, they are wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, who is the central figure in the Israelites' journey, guiding and delivering them according to His promises.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_canaanites.htm">The Canaanites</a></b><br>The people living in the land of Canaan, whom the Israelites are encountering as they journey towards the Promised Land.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/v/vow.htm">Vow</a></b><br>A solemn promise made by Israel to God, indicating their dependence on Him for victory and their commitment to follow through on their promise.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/devote_to_destruction.htm">Devote to Destruction (Herem)</a></b><br>A term indicating the complete dedication of something to God, often through destruction, as a form of divine judgment and purification.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_vows.htm">The Seriousness of Vows</a></b><br>Vows made to God are not to be taken lightly. They reflect a deep commitment and trust in God's provision and guidance. Believers today should consider the weight of their promises to God and others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god_for_victory.htm">Dependence on God for Victory</a></b><br>Israel's vow reflects their understanding that victory comes from the Lord. In our lives, we should recognize that true success and deliverance come from God, not our own strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/devotion_to_god's_commands.htm">Devotion to God’s Commands</a></b><br>The concept of "devoting to destruction" underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when they are difficult. Believers are called to be set apart and to remove anything that hinders their relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God’s Faithfulness</a></b><br>This passage reminds us of God's faithfulness to His people. When we align our actions with His will, we can trust in His provision and protection.<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/what_does_seeking_god's_face_mean.htm">What events are chronicled in the Wars of the Lord?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_israel.htm">What does the Bible say about Israel in End Times?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_judges_7_contradict_1_chron_21.htm">Why does Judges 7 seemingly contradict other biblical passages that emphasize the need for adequate numbers in battle (e.g., 1 Chronicles 21:1-5)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_would_god_allow_violent_vows.htm">How could an all-knowing God condone vows leading to violence against families and communities (Judges 21:1-11)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Israel vowed a vow.</span> On these vows, and on things "devoted" or "banned" (<span class="hebrew">חֵרֶם</span> - <span class="greek">ἀνάθεμα</span>), see on Leviticus 27:28, and on the moral character of such wholesale slaughters see on chapter 31. If it was right to destroy the Canaanites at all, no fault can be found with the vow; it merely did for that military proceeding what national feeling and discipline does for the far more bloody exigencies of modern warfare, removing it from the sphere of private hatred, revenge, and cupidity, and placing it upon a higher level. The patriot soldier of these days feels himself to be a mere instrument in the hands of the rulers of his people to maintain their rights or avenge their wrongs. The Israelite could not have this feeling, which was foreign to his time and place in history, but he could feel that he was a mere instrument in the hands of God to perform <span class="accented">his</span> will upon <span class="accented">his</span> enemies. In either case a must important advantage is secured; the soldier does not slay in order to gratify his own hatred, or in order to satisfy his own cupidity. It is quite true that such vows as are here mentioned would certainly in a more advanced stage of civilization be abused to throw a cloak of religion over frightful enormities; but it does not in the least follow that they were not permitted and even encouraged by God in an age to which they were natural, and under circumstances in which they were beneficial. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/21-2.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">So Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">made</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּדַּ֨ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yid·dar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5087.htm">Strong's 5087: </a> </span><span class="str2">To promise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a vow</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶ֛דֶר</span> <span class="translit">(ne·ḏer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5088.htm">Strong's 5088: </a> </span><span class="str2">A promise, a thing promised</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the LORD:</span><br /><span class="heb">לַֽיהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“If</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You will deliver</span><br /><span class="heb">נָתֹ֨ן</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ṯōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">people</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֤ם</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">into our hands,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיָדִ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yā·ḏî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we will completely destroy</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַֽחֲרַמְתִּ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ha·ḥă·ram·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2763.htm">Strong's 2763: </a> </span><span class="str2">To seclude, to devote to religious uses, to be blunt as to the nose</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their cities.”</span><br /><span class="heb">עָרֵיהֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·rê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/21-2.htm">Numbers 21:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/21-2.htm">Numbers 21:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/21-2.htm">Numbers 21:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/21-2.htm">Numbers 21:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/21-2.htm">Numbers 21:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/21-2.htm">Numbers 21:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/21-2.htm">Numbers 21:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/21-2.htm">Numbers 21:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/21-2.htm">Numbers 21:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/21-2.htm">Numbers 21:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/21-2.htm">OT Law: Numbers 21:2 Israel vowed a vow to Yahweh (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/21-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 21:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 21:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/21-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 21:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 21:3" /></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>