CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://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=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Numbers 21 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/numbers/21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/numbers/21-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Numbers 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../numbers/20.htm" title="Numbers 20">◄</a> Numbers 21 <a href="../numbers/22.htm" title="Numbers 22">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/numbers/21.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">The Destruction of Hormah</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:1 i.e. the southern regions of the Sinai peninsula; cf. Josh 10:40">a</a></span> heard that Israel was coming along the Atharim caravan route, he fought against Israel and took some of them captive. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>Then Israel<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:2 i.e. the Israelis personified as a nation">b</a></span> made this vow in the LORD’s presence: “If you give these people into our control,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:2 Lit. hand">c</a></span> we intend to devote their cities to total destruction.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>When the LORD heard what Israel had decided to do,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:3 Lit. heard the voice of Israel">d</a></span> he delivered the Canaanites to them, and Israel<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:3 Lit. he">e</a></span> exterminated them and their cities. They named the place Hormah.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:3 The Heb. name Hormah sounds like the Heb. verb devoted">f</a></span> </p> <p class="heading">The Bronze Serpent</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>After this, they traveled from Mount Hor along the caravan route by way of the Sea of Reeds and went around the land of Edom. But when the people got impatient because it was a long route, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>the people complained against the LORD and Moses. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?” they asked. “There’s no food<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:5 Lit. bread">g</a></span> and water, and we’re tired of this worthless bread.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:5 Or light bread; i.e. the manna">h</a></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>In response, the LORD sent poisonous<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:6 Lit. fiery">i</a></span> serpents among the people to bite them. As a result, many people of Israel died. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>Then the people approached Moses and admitted, “We’ve sinned by speaking against the LORD and you. Pray to the LORD, that he’ll remove<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:7 Lit. turn away">j</a></span> the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed in behalf of the people.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>Then the LORD instructed Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent out of brass and fasten it to a pole. Anyone who has been bitten and who looks at it will live.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>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,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:9 Lit. to it">k</a></span> he lived.</p> <p class="heading">Travels in the Wilderness</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>After this, the Israelis traveled and encamped at Oboth. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>Then they traveled from Oboth and encamped at Iye-abarim, in the wilderness that is in the vicinity of Moab’s eastern border. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>From there, they traveled and encamped in the valley of Zered. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Then they traveled to the other side of Arnon and camped in the wilderness that borders the territory of the Amorites. (Arnon borders Moab between Moab and the Amorites, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>which is why the Book of the Wars of the LORD<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:14 i.e. a book chronicling ancient Israel’s history, now lost to history">l</a></span> reads, “Waheb and Suphah and the wadis<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:14 i.e. seasonal rivers that are dry in the summer">m</a></span> of the Arnon, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>and the slope of the valleys, that extends to the dwelling places of Ar and the borders of Moab.”)</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>From there they traveled<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:16 The Heb. lacks they traveled">n</a></span> to the Well of Beer, where the LORD had instructed Moses, “Gather the people together and I’ll give you water.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>That’s also where Israel sang this song:</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop">Rise up, well!</p> <p class="poetry2">Sing to it!</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>It’s the well that the leaders dug,</p> <p class="poetry2">the one carved out by the nobles of the people</p> <p class="poetry2 marginbot">with their scepters and staffs.</p> <p class="reg">Then they moved on in the wilderness from there to Mattanah, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>then from Mattanah to Nahaliel, from Nahaliel to Bamoth, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>and from Bamoth to the valley of Moab where their fields are, and from there to the top of Mount Pisgah, that looks down toward the open desert.</p> <p class="heading">Israel Conquers the Amorites</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>Later, Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who conveyed this request:<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:21 The Heb. lacks who conveyed this request">o</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>“Permit us to pass through your land. We won’t trespass in your fields or vineyards. We won’t drink water from any well, and we’ll only travel along the King’s Highway until we’ve passed through your territory.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Instead of letting Israel pass through his territory, Sihon mustered his entire army and marched out to meet them in the wilderness. He arrived at Jahaz and attacked Israel. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>But Israel defeated<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:24 Lit. smote">p</a></span> him in battle<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:24 Lit. him with the edge of the sword">q</a></span> and took possession of all his lands from Arnon to Jabbok, including the Ammonites, even though the border of the Ammonites was strong. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>So Israel captured all of those cities, occupied<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:25 Lit. lived">r</a></span> all the Amorite cities in Heshbon, and all its towns.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:25 Lit. in all its daughters">s</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>Heshbon was the capital city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who fought against the previous king of Moab and captured all his land from his capital city<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:26 Lit. his hand">t</a></span> to Arnon. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Therefore the ones who speak in proverbs say:</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop">Come to Heshbon</p> <p class="poetry2">and let it be built!</p> <p class="poetry2">Let the city of Sihon be established!</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>A fire has gone out from Heshbon,</p> <p class="poetry2">and a flame from the city of Sihon.</p> <p class="poetry2">It consumed Ar of Moab</p> <p class="poetry2">and the lords of the high places who lived in Arnon.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>Woe to you, Moab!</p> <p class="poetry2">You are destroyed, you people of Chemosh!</p> <p class="poetry2">He has given up his sons as fugitives</p> <p class="poetry2">and his daughters have gone into captivity</p> <p class="poetry2">to Sihon, king of the Amorites.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>We’ve fired at them.</p> <p class="poetry2">Heshbon has perished as far as Dibon.</p> <p class="poetry2">We’ve destroyed them as far as Nophah</p> <p class="poetry2 marginbot">even as far as Medeba.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>So Israel lived in Amorite territory.</p> <p class="heading">Israel Conquers Bashan</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>Then Moses sent out explorers to scout Jazer. They captured its towns<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:32 Lit. daughters">u</a></span> and drove out the Amorites who were there. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>Then they turned toward Bashan. However, Og, the king of Bashan, mustered his army and went out to attack them at Edrei. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>The LORD told Moses, “You are not to fear him, because I’m going to deliver him, his entire army, and his land into your control. Do to him just what you’ve done to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who used to live in Heshbon.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/21-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>So they attacked him, his sons, and his entire army, until there wasn’t even a single survivor left. Then they took possession of his land.</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 21:1 i.e. the southern regions of the Sinai peninsula; cf. Josh 10:40<br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 21:2 i.e. the Israelis personified as a nation<br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 21:2 Lit. <i>hand</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 21:3 Lit. <i>heard the voice of Israel</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 21:3 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 21:3 The Heb. name <i>Hormah</i> sounds like the Heb. verb <i>devoted</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 21:5 Lit. <i>bread</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 21:5 Or <i>light bread</i>; i.e. the manna<br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 21:6 Lit.<i> fiery</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 21:7 Lit. <i>turn away</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 21:9 Lit. <i>to it</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 21:14 i.e. a book chronicling ancient Israel’s history, now lost to history<br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 21:14 i.e. seasonal rivers that are dry in the summer<br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 21:16 The Heb. lacks <i>they traveled</i><br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 21:21 The Heb. lacks <i>who conveyed this request</i><br /><span class="fnb">p</span> 21:24 Lit. <i>smote</i><br /><span class="fnb">q</span> 21:24 Lit. <i>him with the edge of the sword</i><br /><span class="fnb">r</span> 21:25 Lit. <i>lived</i><br /><span class="fnb">s</span> 21:25 Lit. <i>in all its daughters</i><br /><span class="fnb">t</span> 21:26 Lit. <i>his hand</i><br /><span class="fnb">u</span> 21:32 Lit. <i>daughters</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../numbers/20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../numbers/22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 22" /></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></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/numbers/21-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/botmenubhnm2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>