Numbers 21:7

Translations

Modern

Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against YHWH and against you. Pray to YHWH, that He take away from us the serpents.” And Moses prayed for the people.

Latin

…venerunt ad Moysen, atque dixerunt: Peccavimus, quia locuti sumus contra Dominum et te: ora ut tollat a nobis serpentes. Oravitque Moyses pro populo,

Interlinear

Hebrew

English

Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people.

Notes

Numbers 21:7–9

Jesus referred to this event when he explained who he is and why he came (John 3:14–15).
By the time of King Hezekiah, around 700 BC, the bronze snake had become an object of worship in Jerusalem. The people were burning incense to it, so Hezekiah destroyed it (2 Kings 18:4).

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

Related verses

Acts 8:24
Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
Psalm 78:34
When He slew them, they would seek Him; they repented and searched for God.
Exodus 8:8
Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to the LORD to take the frogs away from me and my people. Then I will let your people go, that they may sacrifice to the LORD.”
Numbers 11:2
And the people cried out to Moses, and he prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down.
Exodus 8:28
Pharaoh answered, “I will let you go and sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness, but you must not go very far. Now pray for me.”
1 Kings 13:6
Then the king responded to the man of God, “Intercede with the LORD your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored.” So the man of God interceded with the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him as it was before.
1 Samuel 12:19–23
They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.”
Numbers 14:17–20
So now I pray, may the power of my Lord be magnified, just as You have declared:
Genesis 20:7
Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet; he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, be aware that you will surely die—you and all who belong to you.”
1 Samuel 15:30
“I have sinned,” Saul replied. “Please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel. Come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God.”
Exodus 9:27–28
Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he said. “The LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.
Deuteronomy 9:20
The LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him, but at that time I also prayed for Aaron.

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

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

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Benefits of, Illustrated Afflictions Made Beneficial in Leading Us to Confession of Sin Animals: Sent in Judgment Confession of Sin: Israelites Conviction: Their Complaining Against God and Being Bitten by Fiery Serpents Intercession: Additional Instances of for Israel Intercession: Answered: That the Plague of the Fiery Serpents Would Stop Intercession: Solicited: And by the Israelites Israel: are Scourged with Fiery Serpents Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Zalmonah: Brazen Serpent Raised Up Miracles: Catalogue of The Scourge of Serpents Repentance: Exemplified 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

Numbers 21:7

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