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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 21:21 Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/21-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/04_Num_21_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 21:21 - The Defeat of Sihon" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying," /><script type="application/javascript" 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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 />Israel sent messengers to say to Sihon king of the Amorites:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The Israelites sent ambassadors to King Sihon of the Amorites with this message:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Israel sent messengers to say to King Sihon of the Amorites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Israel sent messengers to say to Sihon king of the Amorites: &#8220<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The Israelites sent this message to King Sihon of the Amorites: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then Israel sent messengers to say to King Sihon of the Amorites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then the people of Israel sent messengers to the Amorite king Sihon to say: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Later, Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who conveyed this request:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then Israel sent messengers to King Sihon of the Amorites, saying, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, <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 sends messengers to Sihon king of the Amorite, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Israel sendeth messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorite, saying,<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 send messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Israel sent messengers to Sehon king of the Amorrhites, saying: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon, the king of the Amorites, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, with the message,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Israel sent messengers to King Sihon of the Amorites, saying,<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 sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Israel sent Messengers to Sihon the King of the Amorites and said to him:<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 sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />We will pass through thy land, we will go by the road; we will not turn aside to the field or to the vineyard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/21-21.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=6677" 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 Sihon</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">21</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.">Then Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: way·yiš·laḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">sent</a> <a href="/hebrew/4397.htm" title="4397: mal·’ā·ḵîm (N-mp) -- A messenger. From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. An angel.">messengers</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/5511.htm" title="5511: sî·ḥōn (N-proper-ms) -- A king of the Amorites. Or Ciychon; from the same as Cuwach; tempestuous; Sichon, an Amoritish king.">Sihon</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ- (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">king</a> <a href="/hebrew/567.htm" title="567: hā·’ĕ·mō·rî (Art:: N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps mountain dwellers, a Canaanite tribe. ">of the Amorites,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>“Let us pass through your land. We will not cut through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.”…<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="/deuteronomy/2-26.htm">Deuteronomy 2:26-37</a></span><br />So from the Wilderness of Kedemoth I sent messengers with an offer of peace to Sihon king of Heshbon, saying, / “Let us pass through your land; we will stay on the main road. We will not turn to the right or to the left. / You can sell us food to eat and water to drink in exchange for silver. Only let us pass through on foot, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/11-19.htm">Judges 11:19-20</a></span><br />And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon, and said to him, ‘Please let us pass through your land into our own place.’ / But Sihon would not trust Israel to pass through his territory. So he gathered all his people, encamped in Jahaz, and fought with Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-10.htm">Deuteronomy 20:10-12</a></span><br />When you approach a city to fight against it, you are to make an offer of peace. / If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you. / But if they refuse to make peace with you and wage war against you, lay siege to that city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/13-10.htm">Joshua 13:10-12</a></span><br />and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the border of the Ammonites; / also Gilead and the territory of the Geshurites and Maacathites, all of Mount Hermon, and all Bashan as far as Salecah— / the whole kingdom of Og in Bashan, who had reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei and had remained as a remnant of the Rephaim. Moses had struck them down and dispossessed them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/135-10.htm">Psalm 135:10-12</a></span><br />He struck down many nations and slaughtered mighty kings: / Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan. / He gave their land as an inheritance, as a heritage to His people Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/136-17.htm">Psalm 136:17-22</a></span><br />He struck down great kings His loving devotion endures forever. / and slaughtered mighty kings—His loving devotion endures forever. / Sihon king of the Amorites His loving devotion endures forever. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/2-9.htm">Amos 2:9-10</a></span><br />Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, though his height was like that of the cedars, and he was as strong as the oaks. Yet I destroyed his fruit above and his roots below. / And I brought you up from the land of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness, that you might take possession of the land of the Amorite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-22.htm">Nehemiah 9:22</a></span><br />You gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner of the land. So they took the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and of Og king of Bashan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/15-1.htm">Isaiah 15:1-9</a></span><br />This is the burden against Moab: Ar in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! Kir in Moab is devastated, destroyed in a night! / Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off. / In its streets they wear sackcloth; on the rooftops and in the public squares they all wail, falling down weeping. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/48-1.htm">Jeremiah 48:1-47</a></span><br />Concerning Moab, this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Woe to Nebo, for it will be devastated. Kiriathaim will be captured and disgraced; the fortress will be shattered and dismantled. / There is no longer praise for Moab; in Heshbon they devise evil against her: ‘Come, let us cut her off from nationhood.’ You too, O people of Madmen, will be silenced; the sword will pursue you. / A voice cries out from Horonaim: ‘Devastation and great destruction!’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-4.htm">Romans 15:4</a></span><br />For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-11.htm">1 Corinthians 10:11</a></span><br />Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-7.htm">Hebrews 3:7-19</a></span><br />Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-45.htm">Acts 7:45</a></span><br />And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-19.htm">Acts 13:19</a></span><br />And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/20-14.htm">Numbers 20:14-19</a></b></br> And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/2-26.htm">Deuteronomy 2:26-28</a></b></br> And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/11-19.htm">Judges 11:19-21</a></b></br> And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land into my place… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/21-13.htm">Amorite</a> <a href="/numbers/21-13.htm">Amorites</a> <a href="/numbers/20-14.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-45.htm">Sihon</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/21-25.htm">Amorite</a> <a href="/numbers/21-25.htm">Amorites</a> <a href="/numbers/22-5.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/numbers/21-23.htm">Sihon</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 id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>Then Israel sent messengers</b><br>In the context of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, sending messengers was a customary diplomatic approach to seek passage through foreign territories. This reflects a peaceful intent, adhering to the norms of ancient Near Eastern diplomacy. The Israelites had previously sent messengers to Edom with a similar request (<a href="/numbers/20-14.htm">Numbers 20:14-21</a>), demonstrating a consistent strategy in their interactions with neighboring nations.<p><b>to Sihon king of the Amorites,</b><br>Sihon was a significant Amorite king whose territory was east of the Jordan River. The Amorites were a powerful group in Canaan, often mentioned in the context of Israel's conquest of the land. Sihon's kingdom included the region of Heshbon, a strategic location. The Amorites' presence in the land fulfilled part of the prophecy given to Abraham that his descendants would encounter various nations (<a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Genesis 15:18-21</a>).<p><b>saying,</b><br>The act of sending a message indicates a formal request, emphasizing Israel's desire to communicate their intentions clearly. This approach highlights the importance of negotiation and the attempt to avoid unnecessary conflict. The content of the message, which follows in subsequent verses, reveals Israel's request for peaceful passage, underscoring their reliance on God's guidance and provision as they journeyed toward the land promised to them.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation chosen by God, consisting of the descendants of Jacob, who are journeying to the Promised Land.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/messengers.htm">Messengers</a></b><br>Representatives sent by Israel to communicate with Sihon, indicating a diplomatic approach.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sihon.htm">Sihon</a></b><br>The king of the Amorites, a significant figure in the account as he controls the territory Israel seeks to pass through.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/amorites.htm">Amorites</a></b><br>A group of ancient people living in the land east of the Jordan River, often seen as adversaries to Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/diplomatic_request.htm">Diplomatic Request</a></b><br>The event where Israel seeks peaceful passage through the Amorite territory, highlighting their initial desire to avoid conflict.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_seeking_peace.htm">The Importance of Seeking Peace</a></b><br>Israel's initial approach to Sihon demonstrates the value of seeking peaceful resolutions before resorting to conflict. As believers, we are called to pursue peace in our interactions with others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a></b><br>The account shows God's control over the situation, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/2-30.htm">Deuteronomy 2:30</a>, where God hardens Sihon's heart. This reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even when human plans seem to fail.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_obedience_and_faith.htm">The Role of Obedience and Faith</a></b><br>Israel's journey and their interactions with other nations require obedience to God's commands and faith in His promises. We are encouraged to trust God's guidance in our own journeys.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_rejection.htm">The Consequences of Rejection</a></b><br>Sihon's refusal to allow Israel passage leads to his downfall. This serves as a warning about the consequences of rejecting God's people and purposes.<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/who_was_sihon,_king_of_the_amorites.htm">Who was Sihon, king of the Amorites?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_sihon_and_og's_defeats_confirmed.htm">Psalm 136:19–20 records the defeat of Sihon and Og; do nonbiblical sources confirm these conquests, or could they be mythological exaggerations? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_amorites'_fall,_exodus.htm">(Amos 2:9–10) Is there any archaeological or scientific evidence to support the miraculous overthrow of the Amorites and the exodus narrative?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_limited_evidence_of_divine_acts.htm">In Psalm 135:10–11, God is said to have struck down nations (including Sihon and Og)—why is there limited archaeological evidence of such direct divine intervention? </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 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon.</span> The narrative here returns to the point of time when the Israelites first reached the Upper Arnon, the boundary stream of the kingdom of Sihon (see on verse 13, and cf. <a href="/deuteronomy/2-24.htm">Deuteronomy 2:24-37</a>). The list of stations in the preceding verses may probably have been copied out of some official record; it may be considered as marking the movements of the tabernacle with Eleazar and the Levites and the mass of the non-combatant population. In the mean time the armies of Israel were engaged in victorious enterprises which took them far afield. <span class="cmt_word">King of the Amorites.</span> The Amorites were not akin to the Hebrews, as the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites were, who all claimed descent from Terah. They were of the Canaanitish stock (<a href="/genesis/10-16.htm">Genesis 10:16</a>), and indeed the name Amorite often appears as synonymous with Canaanite in its larger sense (<a href="/deuteronomy/1-7.htm">Deuteronomy 1:7, 19, 27</a>, etc.). If at one time they are mentioned side by side with five or six other tribes of the same stock (<a href="/exodus/34-11.htm">Exodus 34:11</a>), yet at another they seem to be so much the representative race that "the Ammorite" stands for the inhabitants of Canaan in general whom Israel was commissioned to oust on account of his iniquity (<a href="/genesis/15-16.htm">Genesis 15:16</a>). It is not, therefore, possible to draw any certain distinction between the Amorites of Sihon's kingdom and the mass of the Canaanites on the other side Jordan. Both Sihon and his people appear as intruders in this region, having come down perhaps from the northern parts of Palestine, and having but recently (it would seem) wrested from the king of Moab all his territory north of Arnon. It was the fact of the Amorites being found here which led to the conquest and settlement of the trans-Jordanic territory. That territory was not apparently included in the original gift (compare <a href="/numbers/34-2.htm">Numbers 34:2-12</a> with <a href="/genesis/10-19.htm">Genesis 10:19</a> and Genesis 15:19-21), but since the Amorite had possessed himself of it, it must pass with all the rest of his habitation to the chosen people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/21-21.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">Then Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵל֙</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">sent</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·laḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">messengers</span><br /><span class="heb">מַלְאָכִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(mal·’ā·ḵîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4397.htm">Strong's 4397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A messenger, of God, an angel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Sihon</span><br /><span class="heb">סִיחֹ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(sî·ḥōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5511.htm">Strong's 5511: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sihon -- a king of the Amorites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">king</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶֽלֶךְ־</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Amorites,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֱמֹרִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ĕ·mō·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_567.htm">Strong's 567: </a> </span><span class="str2">Amorites -- perhaps 'mountain dwellers', a Canaanite tribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saying,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵאמֹֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(lê·mōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/21-21.htm">Numbers 21:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/21-21.htm">Numbers 21:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/21-21.htm">Numbers 21:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/21-21.htm">Numbers 21:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/21-21.htm">Numbers 21:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/21-21.htm">Numbers 21:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/21-21.htm">Numbers 21:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/21-21.htm">Numbers 21:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/21-21.htm">Numbers 21:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/21-21.htm">Numbers 21:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/21-21.htm">OT Law: Numbers 21:21 Israel sent messengers to Sihon king (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/21-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 21:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 21:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/21-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 21:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 21:22" /></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><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>