Numbers 21:21
Numbers 21:21 in Multiple Translations
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
¶ And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
And Israel sent men to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying,
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, with the following request:
Then Israel sent messengers vnto Sihon, King of the Amorites, saying,
And Israel sendeth messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorite, saying,
Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
And Israel sent messengers to Sehon king of the Amorrhites, saying:
Then the Israelis sent messengers to Sihon, the king of the Amor people-group. This was the message that they/we gave him:
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 21:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 21:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֤ח
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
מַלְאָכִ֔ים
אֶל
סִיחֹ֥ן
מֶֽלֶךְ
הָ/אֱמֹרִ֖י
לֵ/אמֹֽר
וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֤ח
shâlach
H7971
to send
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
מַלְאָכִ֔ים
mălʼâk
H4397
messenger
N-mp
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
סִיחֹ֥ן
Çîychôwn
H5511
Sihon
N-proper
מֶֽלֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
הָ/אֱמֹרִ֖י
ʼĔmôrîy
H567
Amorite
Art | Ngmsa
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 21:21
וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֤ח
shâlach
H7971
"to send"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.
Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send
Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
מַלְאָכִ֔ים
mălʼâk
H4397
"messenger"
N-mp
A messenger or representative, often of God, like an angel, prophet, or priest, as seen in Isaiah 42:19 and Haggai 1:13, carrying out God's will.
Definition: : messenger 1) messenger, representative 1a) messenger 1b) angel 1c) the theophanic angel
Usage: Occurs in 196 OT verses. KJV: ambassador, angel, king, messenger. See also: Genesis 16:7; 2 Samuel 24:16; Psalms 34:8.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
סִיחֹ֥ן
Çîychôwn
H5511
"Sihon"
N-proper
Sihon was an Amorite king who lived during the time of the Israelites' wilderness journey. He was defeated by Moses in Transjordan, as recorded in Numbers 21:21. His name means warrior.
Definition: A king of Amorites living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.21.21 § Sihon = "warrior" king of the Amorites at the time of the conquest and defeated by Moses in Transjordan
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: Sihon. See also: Numbers 21:21; Deuteronomy 29:6; Psalms 135:11.
מֶֽלֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
הָ/אֱמֹרִ֖י
ʼĔmôrîy
H567
"Amorite"
Art | Ngmsa
An Amorite is a member of a Canaanite tribe, first mentioned in Genesis 10:16, descended from Canaan. The Israelites displaced them as they entered the Promised Land.
Definition: Someone descended from Amor(?), first mentioned at Gen.10.16; descended from Canaan (H3667); along with Sidon (H6721), Heth (H2845), Jebusite (H2983), Girgashite (H1622), Hivite (H2340), Arkite (H6208), Sinite (H5513), Arvadite (H0721), Zemarite (H6786) and Hamathite (H2577) § Amorite = "a sayer" one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan, dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: Amorite. See also: Genesis 10:16; Joshua 9:1; Psalms 135:11.
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Study Notes — Numbers 21:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Defeat of Sihon
19and from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth,
20and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland.
21Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
22“Let us pass through your land. We will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.” 23But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, he gathered his whole army and went out to confront Israel in the wilderness. When he came to Jahaz, he fought against Israel.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 2:26–28 | So from the Wilderness of Kedemoth I sent messengers with an offer of peace to Sihon king of Heshbon, saying, “Let us pass through your land; we will stay on the main road. We will not turn to the right or to the left. You can sell us food to eat and water to drink in exchange for silver. Only let us pass through on foot, |
| 2 | Numbers 20:14–19 | From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to tell the king of Edom, “This is what your brother Israel says: You know all the hardship that has befallen us, how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers, and when we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory. Please let us pass through your land. We will not cut through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway; we will not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.” But Edom answered, “You may not travel through our land, or we will come out and confront you with the sword.” “We will stay on the main road,” the Israelites replied, “and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay for it. There will be no problem; only let us pass through on foot.” |
| 3 | Judges 11:19–21 | And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon, and said to him, ‘Please let us pass through your land into our own place.’ But Sihon would not trust Israel to pass through his territory. So he gathered all his people, encamped in Jahaz, and fought with Israel. Then the LORD, the God of Israel, delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, who defeated them. So Israel took possession of all the land of the Amorites who inhabited that country, |
Numbers 21:21 Summary
In Numbers 21:21, Israel sends messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, asking for permission to pass through his land. This shows that Israel was trying to be peaceful and respectful of others' property, as taught in verses like Romans 12:18. We can learn from this example by trying to resolve conflicts peacefully and being respectful of others, as encouraged in Matthew 5:38-42. By trusting God and following His commands, we can navigate difficult situations and relationships in a way that honors Him, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 37:3-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Israel send messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites?
Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites as a gesture of peace, asking for permission to pass through his land, as seen in Numbers 21:21, similar to the approach taken in Deuteronomy 2:26-27 where Moses also sent messengers to Sihon.
What was the significance of the King's Highway mentioned in the next verse?
The King's Highway was a major trade route that passed through the land of the Amorites, and Israel's request to use it was a reasonable one, as they promised not to damage any fields or vineyards, as stated in Numbers 21:22, similar to the instructions given in Deuteronomy 2:6-7 to pay for food and water.
How does this event relate to the broader story of Israel's journey to the Promised Land?
This event is part of Israel's journey to the Promised Land, as described in the book of Numbers, and it shows how Israel tried to avoid conflict with the surrounding nations, but was often met with hostility, as seen in Numbers 21:23 and other parts of the book, such as Numbers 20:14-21 where they also encountered resistance from the Edomites.
What can we learn from Israel's approach to Sihon king of the Amorites?
We can learn from Israel's approach that it is often wise to try to resolve conflicts peacefully, as seen in Numbers 21:21-22, and to be respectful of others' property and boundaries, as taught in verses like Romans 12:18 and Matthew 5:38-42, which emphasize the importance of living at peace with others.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways we can apply the principle of seeking peace in our own relationships and interactions with others, as seen in Numbers 21:21?
- How can we balance the need to stand up for ourselves and our rights with the command to love our neighbors and enemies, as seen in verses like Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27-31?
- What are some times in our lives when we may need to take a stand and assert our boundaries, and how can we do so in a way that is respectful and loving, as seen in Ephesians 4:15 and Colossians 4:6?
- How can we trust God to guide us and provide for us, even in difficult or uncertain situations, as Israel did in Numbers 21:21-23, and as encouraged in verses like Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 37:3-7?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 21:21
And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites,.... Who were one of the nations of the Canaanites, and a principal and powerful one, and who were devoted to destruction, and their land
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 21:21
And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, Israel sent messengers unto Sihon ... - (see the notes at Numbers 20:17-19.) The place from which the messengers were sent was
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 21:21
By God’ s allowance, that so Sihon’ s malice might be the more evident and inexcusable, and that their title to his country more clear in the judgments of all men, as being gotten by a just war, into which they were forced for their own defence.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 21:21
21–35. The victories over Sihon and Og. See the parallel account in Deuteronomy 2:24 to Deuteronomy 3:13. The previous verses have described the Israelites’ march through the territory occupied by the Amorites on the north of the Arnon, and their arrival at one of the glens which cleave the western edge of the plateau, close to the spot where it ran into the Jordan valley. The narrative now returns to the earlier point, described in Numbers 21:13, when they were still on the eastern border of the Amorites. Since the town of Heshbon commanded the glens, it would have been impossible to penetrate into them unless the town had first been captured; but the writer has arranged his material in the present order for the sake of convenience. The battles with Sihon and Og being the last struggles before the promised land could be reached, the remembrance of them was cherished; see Judges 11:19-22, 1 Kings 4:19, Nehemiah 9:22, Psalms 135:11; Psalms 136:19 f.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 21:21
21. Sihon — “The Destroyer,” literally, “He who swept all before him.” This formidable chieftain was evidently a man of great courage and daring.