Keraia
Numbers 21

Numbers 21:18

The Journey to Moab · Numbers 21:10–20
Read Numbers 21

Translations

Modern
The princes dug the well; the nobles of the people hollowed it out with their scepters and with their staffs.” From the wilderness the Israelites went on to Mattanah,
Traditional
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:
Literal
The princes dug the well, the nobles of the nation hollowed it out by the lawgiver, by their staffs.” And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah,
Latin
Puteus, quem foderunt principes et paraverunt duces multitudinis in datore legis, et in baculis suis. De solitudine, Matthana.

Interlinear

Hebrew
English
The princes dug the well; the nobles of the people hollowed it out with their scepters and with their staffs.” From the wilderness the Israelites went on to Mattanah,

Notes

Numbers 21:16–18

The location of Beer is unknown (compare Isaiah 15:8). The short poem in this passage describes the digging of a new well. It shows the joy the people felt. In a dry region, a new source of water was a great blessing.

The poem says that princes and leaders dug the well. It also says they used scepters and staffs, which were symbols of authority. This may suggest that the digging of the well was part of a special or joyful ceremony.

Numbers 21:18–20

After moving north of the Arnon, the Hebrews left the wilderness on the eastern side of Moab and the newly conquered Amorite territory (see study note on 21:21–35). They turned west toward the ridgeline that rises up from the Jordan Rift valley, then traveled north to Pisgah Peak (see also 23:14; Deuteronomy 3:17, 27; 34:1, 5).

Numbers 21:1–22:1

  • As Israel journeyed to the promised land, they traveled from Mount Hor to the plains of Moab (22:1). The story of Israel's journey emphasizes the Lord's patient plan to lead Israel into Canaan despite their weaknesses.

  • The general direction of their travel is clear. However, the exact path they took is not known today. Many of the places mentioned are difficult to identify.

    Archaeological evidence at some sites does not match the time usually connected with the wilderness period. Because of this, there are still serious questions about geography and history in the wilderness journey.

Places

Mattanah: A place where the Israelites camped during their wilderness journey

Glossary

Beer Book of the Wars of the Lord Bronze Snake, Bronze Serpent Deuteronomy, Book of Mattanah Moab, Moabites Numbers, Book of Poetry, Biblical Well

Topics

Beer: A Station of the Israelites Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Mattanah Mattanah: A Station of Israel Thankfulness: Exemplified Wells: Beer (East of Jordan)