Keraia
Numbers 21

Numbers 21:6

The Bronze Serpent · Numbers 21:4–9
Read Numbers 21

Translations

Modern
So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died.
Traditional
And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
Literal
And YHWH sent among the people fiery serpents, and they bit the people; and many people of Israel died.
Latin
Quam ob rem misit Dominus in populum ignitos serpentes, ad quorum plagas et mortes plurimorum,

Interlinear

Hebrew
English
So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died.

Notes

Numbers 21:6

This entire region has been, and still is, home to very venomous snakes (compare Isaiah 30:6).

Numbers 21:4–9

The "vow to the LORD" (21:2–3) and the resulting victory did not stop Israel from criticizing God and Moses. The long journey was a punishment for similar complaints (14:26–35).

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Moses The Bronze Snake

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Asp Book of the Wars of the Lord Bronze Snake, Bronze Serpent Deuteronomy, Book of Disease Fiery Serpent Hezekiah Kenites Numbers, Book of

Topics

Animals: Instruments of God's Will Animals: Sent in Judgment Blasphemy of the Israelites, in Complaining Against God Confession of Sin: Israelites Intercession: Answered: That the Plague of the Fiery Serpents Would Stop Israel: are Scourged with Fiery Serpents Jesus, the Christ: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to the Divinity of Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Zalmonah: Fiery Serpents Sent Judgments: Upon Nations - Exemplified: Israel Judgments: Upon the Israelites for Complaining Manna: The Israelites: Punished for Loathing Miracles: Catalogue of The Scourge of Serpents Moses: People Complain Against Moses and Aaron Murmuring: Israelites Plague: On the Israelites of Serpents Repentance: Repentance of Their Complaining Because of Lack of Bread and Water Salvation: Illustrated by Typified by the Bronze Serpent Salvation: Typified Serpent: Fiery (Poisonous), Sent As a Plague Upon the Israelites Serpents: Often Sent As a Punishment The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Israelites