Numbers 21:9

Translations

Modern

So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And Moses made a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. And it came to pass that, if a serpent had bitten anyone, and he looked unto the bronze serpent, he lived.

Latin

Fecit ergo Moyses serpentem æneum, et posuit eum pro signo: quem cum percussi aspicerent, sanabantur.

Interlinear

Hebrew

English

So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live.

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

John 3:14–15
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
John 6:40
For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2 Kings 18:4
He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it.
John 12:32
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.”
Isaiah 45:22
Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
Romans 8:3
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,
2 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
Romans 1:17
For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Romans 5:20–21
The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
1 John 3:8
The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.
Zechariah 12:10
Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

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 Idols, Idolatry Kenites Numbers, Book of Snake Type

Topics

Brazen Serpent: Made by Moses for the Healing of the Israelites Copper Brass: Moses Made the Serpent of Intercession: Answered: That the Plague of the Fiery Serpents Would Stop Israel: are Scourged with Fiery Serpents Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Zalmonah: Brazen Serpent Raised Up Miracles Wrought Through Servants of God: Moses and Aaron: Healing by Brazen Serpent Miracles: Catalogue of The Scourge of Serpents Salvation: Illustrated by Typified by the Bronze Serpent Salvation: Typified Serpent: The Wound of, Miraculously Healed by Looking Upon the Bronze Snake, Erected by Moses Serpents: Miracles Connected With: Israelites Cured by Looking at One of Brass Snakes Symbols and Similitudes: The Bronze Serpent, of Christ Types of Christ: Brazen Serpent Types of the Saviour: The Bronze Serpent

Numbers 21:9

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