Numbers Chapter 21
Showing all 35 verses for Numbers Chapter 21.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"And when king Arad the Canaanite, which in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners. "
💡 Highlighted words feature Jacobean 1611 tooltips to clarify shifted 17th-century English terms.
"When Arad, a Canaanite king based in the Negev desert in the south, heard that Israel was coming along the road the scouts had used, he attacked them and took some of them prisoner."
King Arad attacks Israel and takes some of them captive without warning, showing that hardship can strike even while a people are simply travelling in obedience towards God's promise. Jesus does not promise a road free of sudden attack, but He remains present with you even when trouble comes without cause.
"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. "
"Israel made a vow to God: "If you hand these people over to us, we will completely destroy their cities.""
Israel vows that if God delivers them, they will devote the cities to Him, turning a moment of danger into a promise of dedicated worship. Jesus welcomes when hardship drives you to make and keep sincere commitments to Him, rather than simply demanding rescue and moving on unchanged.
"And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah. "
"God listened to Israel's request. The Canaanites were handed over, and Israel completely destroyed them and their towns. The place was named Hormah, meaning "destruction.""
God hears Israel's vow and delivers the Canaanites into their hand, and the place is named Hormah, meaning destruction, marking God's faithfulness to His word. Jesus is always listening even amid the noise of conflict, and He responds to sincere cries directed to Him.
"And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. "
"They set out from Mount Hor, taking the road towards the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom, and the people grew impatient and deeply discouraged by the journey."
The people's souls become 'much discouraged' simply because of the long, difficult way, even without a specific new disaster - sometimes it is just the sheer length of the journey that wears a person down. Jesus understands ordinary weariness, not only crisis, and meets you gently in the discouragement of a road that simply feels too long.
"And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. "
"The people complained against God and Moses: "Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in the desert? There's no bread, no water, and we're sick to death of this miserable food.""
The people speak against both God and Moses, complaining even about the manna itself, calling good provision 'light bread' out of sheer weariness and ingratitude. Jesus does not stop providing for you simply because gratitude has grown thin; He still longs for you to notice and appreciate what He has already given.
"And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. "
"God sent venomous snakes among the people. They bit them, and a great many Israelites died."
God allows fiery serpents to come among the people as a direct consequence of their persistent complaint against Him, showing that words spoken against God are never trivial. Jesus takes seriously how we speak about His provision and character, even while His heart remains ready to forgive the moment we turn back.
"Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. "
"The people went to Moses and said, "We were wrong to speak against God and against you. Please pray to God to take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for them."
The people quickly confess, 'we have sinned,' and ask Moses to intercede, and he does so immediately without holding a grudge for their earlier complaints against him. Jesus shows through Moses' ready intercession that true forgiveness responds instantly to genuine confession, without keeping score.
"And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. "
"God told Moses, "Make a snake out of bronze and put it up on a pole. Anyone who has been bitten will survive if they look at it.""
God's remedy is strange but simple - make a bronze serpent and lift it up, so that anyone bitten who looks at it will live. Jesus points to this very moment as a picture of Himself lifted up, so that anyone who simply looks to Him in faith, however far gone, can be saved.
"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. "
"Moses made a bronze snake and set it on a pole. Anyone who had been bitten by a snake and then looked at the bronze one survived."
Moses obeys immediately, and everyone who is bitten and simply looks at the bronze serpent lives - the cure requires no effort beyond trusting look. Jesus offers the same simple invitation: salvation comes not through struggle or achievement, but through turning your eyes to Him in faith.
"And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth. "
"The Israelites moved on and camped at Oboth."
Israel simply sets forward and camps at Oboth, one small step in a long, unglamorous journey recorded faithfully even though nothing dramatic happens there. Jesus values the quiet, uneventful stretches of your journey just as much as the dramatic moments, because faithfulness is often found in simply continuing on.
"And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ijeabarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrising. "
"They travelled on from Oboth and camped at Ije-abarim, in the desert facing Moab, towards the sunrise."
The people move on to Ijeabarim, another small waypoint recorded simply as part of the unfolding itinerary towards the promise. Jesus is present in every stage of an ordinary journey, not only the memorable ones, quietly leading you step by step.
"From thence they removed, and pitched in the valley of Zared. "
"They moved on and camped in the Zered Valley."
They remove again and camp in the valley of Zared, another unremarkable stop on the way, showing that God's people were still being led even when nothing noteworthy seemed to be happening. Jesus is with you in the valleys of ordinary life, not only on the mountaintops.
"From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. "
"From there they moved on and camped on the far side of the Arnon River, out in the desert bordering Amorite territory — the Arnon being the boundary between Moab and the Amorites."
Israel camps by the Arnon, careful to note the border between Moab and the Amorites - God's people move thoughtfully, aware of boundaries and the lands of others around them. Jesus calls you to the same awareness and respect for others' boundaries as you journey through life.
"Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon, "
"This is why an ancient collection called the "Book of the Wars of the LORD" records what happened at the Red Sea and at the ravines of the Arnon River."
This verse quotes an older, now-lost book, 'the wars of the LORD,' showing that Israel kept records of God's mighty acts even beyond what made it into Scripture itself. Jesus wants His works remembered and recounted, so that each generation knows what He has done.
"And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab. "
"And of the stream that flows down to the town of Ar, lying right along the border of Moab."
The old song traces the Arnon's stream down towards Ar and the border of Moab, preserving geography and history together in poetic memory. Jesus honours the careful preservation of memory and place, since even small details of the journey mattered enough to be sung about.
"And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. "
"From there they went to Beer, meaning "well" — the place where God told Moses, "Gather the people together, and I will give them water.""
At Beer, God tells Moses to gather the people, promising water there too - provision keeps coming even after the earlier failure at Meribah. Jesus does not withhold His care from you because of past mistakes; His generosity towards His people continues undiminished.
"Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it: "
"Then Israel sang this song: "Rise up, well! Sing to it!""
Israel responds to God's provision with a spontaneous song, 'Spring up, O well,' turning simple gratitude into worship rather than taking the water for granted. Jesus loves when your response to His provision is genuine praise rather than quiet assumption that you deserved it.
"The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah: "
"The leaders dug the well — the nobles of the people dug it themselves, directed by their leader's staff. From there they travelled on to Mattanah."
Princes and nobles themselves dig the well with their own staves, showing that even the leaders get involved in the practical work of providing for the people rather than standing apart from it. Jesus, who washed His disciples' feet, models the same willingness of leaders to serve alongside those they lead.
"And from Mattanah to Nahaliel: and from Nahaliel to Bamoth: "
"From Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth."
The itinerary continues from Mattanah to Nahaliel to Bamoth, each name marking another faithful step forward on a long road. Jesus is present in this steady, patient movement, showing that the promised destination is reached one faithful stage at a time.
"And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon. "
"From Bamoth in the valley of Moab, they went on to the top of Pisgah, which looks out over the wasteland."
They arrive at the top of Pisgah, looking towards Jeshimon - a high vantage point that hints at the view of the promised land soon to come. Jesus brings you, step by step, to places where you can glimpse more of what He has prepared, even before you fully arrive.
"And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, "
"Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, with this request:"
Israel again sends a courteous, peaceful request for passage, this time to Sihon king of the Amorites, following the same respectful approach used earlier with Edom. Jesus honours consistency of character - approaching every new situation with the same humility and consideration you showed before.
"Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king’s high way, until we be past thy borders. "
""Let us pass through your land. We won't turn off into any fields or vineyards, or drink water from any well. We'll stay on the king's highway until we're past your territory.""
The request repeats the same careful promises as before - no touching fields or vineyards, no drinking their water, staying strictly on the highway - showing patient consistency in seeking peace even after a prior refusal from someone else. Jesus values this steady, unwavering commitment to doing right by others regardless of how the last attempt went.
"And Sihon would not Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel. "
💡 Highlighted words feature Jacobean 1611 tooltips to clarify shifted 17th-century English terms.
"But Sihon refused to let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, he gathered his entire army and marched out into the desert to attack Israel, meeting them in battle at Jahaz."
Sihon refuses and instead gathers his army to attack Israel in the wilderness, escalating a peaceful request into open war entirely by his own choice. Jesus does not fault you for another person's hostile response to your peaceful approach; the responsibility for conflict lies with the one who chooses it.
"And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong. "
"Israel defeated him in battle and took over his land from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River, as far as the Ammonite border — stopping there because Ammon's border was well fortified."
Israel defeats Sihon and takes his land, showing that God's promise of the land was being fulfilled through real, sometimes difficult, historical events. Jesus works out His promises through the real circumstances of your life too, not only in abstract spiritual terms.
"And Israel took all these cities: and Israel in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof. "
💡 Highlighted words feature Jacobean 1611 tooltips to clarify shifted 17th-century English terms.
"Israel captured all these towns and settled in them — including Heshbon and all its surrounding villages."
Israel settles in the captured cities, including Heshbon, making a home out of what had been taken in battle - God turns conflict into a place of rest and dwelling for His people. Jesus can bring settled peace even out of seasons that were hard-won and difficult.
"For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even unto Arnon. "
"Heshbon had been Sihon's own capital city — he had earlier fought against the previous king of Moab and taken all his land, up to the Arnon River."
The text explains that Sihon had himself earlier conquered this land from the former king of Moab - showing that this territory had already changed hands through conflict before Israel arrived. Jesus reminds you that history is often complicated, layered with past wrongs and shifting power, and He is not troubled by untangling that complexity.
"Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared: "
"This is why the old poets used to say: "Come to Heshbon — let Sihon's city be rebuilt and made strong.""
An old proverb celebrating Heshbon's rebuilding under Sihon is quoted here, preserving even the poetry of a former enemy as part of the historical record. Jesus is not threatened by acknowledging the achievements or words of those outside His own people; truth can be honoured wherever it is found.
"For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon. "
""A fire went out from Heshbon, a flame from Sihon's city — it burned up Ar of Moab and the rulers of the high places above the Arnon.""
The proverb describes fire going out from Heshbon to consume Moab's territory, poetic language for the devastation of war between these peoples before Israel's arrival. Jesus sees the full weight of the destruction that conflict brings, even among nations outside His own covenant people, and cares about that suffering too.
"Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites. "
""Woe to you, Moab! You are finished, people of Chemosh! Chemosh has let his own sons become fugitives and his daughters be taken captive by Sihon, king of the Amorites.""
The proverb mourns Moab's downfall and the captivity of its sons and daughters to Chemosh's shame, showing genuine sorrow woven into even an old victory song. Jesus feels compassion for every people's suffering, even those recorded mainly as Israel's former rivals or enemies.
"We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which reacheth unto Medeba. "
""We shot them down — Heshbon is destroyed, all the way to Dibon. We laid them waste as far as Nophah, which reaches to Medeba.""
The song lists specific places laid waste - Dibon, Nophah, Medeba - grounding poetic lament in real, named geography rather than vague generalities. Jesus cares about real places and real histories, not only abstract spiritual ideas, showing how seriously He takes the actual, lived experience of every people.
"Thus Israel in the land of the Amorites. "
💡 Highlighted words feature Jacobean 1611 tooltips to clarify shifted 17th-century English terms.
"So Israel settled in the land that had belonged to the Amorites."
Israel simply dwells in the land of the Amorites, a plain statement that God's promise was becoming a lived reality rather than only a future hope. Jesus wants His promises to become tangible, lived-out realities in your life too, not merely ideas you hold at a distance.
"And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there. "
"Moses sent men to scout out Jazer; they captured its surrounding villages and drove out the Amorites who lived there."
Moses sends spies to Jaazer, and this time the mission succeeds without the fear and unbelief that marked the earlier spy story in this same wilderness. Jesus delights when past failures are followed by renewed obedience and trust, showing that a person's story is never limited to their worst chapter.
"And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei. "
"Then they turned and headed towards Bashan, and Og, the king of Bashan, marched out with his entire army to fight them at Edrei."
Og, king of Bashan, comes out with his whole army to fight Israel, presenting a formidable new threat just as the previous battle had been won. Jesus does not let you rest on one victory alone; He prepares you for each new challenge as it comes, one at a time.
"And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which at Heshbon. "
💡 Highlighted words feature Jacobean 1611 tooltips to clarify shifted 17th-century English terms.
"God told Moses, "Do not be afraid of him. I have handed him over to you, along with all his people and his land — do to him just as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.""
God tells Moses plainly, 'Fear him not,' promising victory over Og before the battle even begins, just as He had already done with Sihon. Jesus speaks the same reassurance into your own new fears: the same God who helped you before is fully able to help you again.
"So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land. "
"So they defeated him, his sons, and all his people, leaving no survivors, and took over his land."
Israel defeats Og completely and takes his land, closing this chapter of the journey with another clear demonstration of God's faithfulness to His promises. Jesus wants you to look back at each of these victories as evidence for the next battle - proof that He finishes what He starts.