Numbers 21

Numbers 21:1

THe way of the spies] By that way which the spies (which searched the land in the second yeare of their journeying from Eygpt, that is, thirty eight yeares before this time:) some understand it of the way which King Arad had sent spies to see which way Israel would goe, who (by intelligence) had learned that they were returned from the Red Sea: See Chap. 33. 40.

Numbers 21:2

vowed a vow] Of vowing: See Annot. on Genesis 28:20. Of this kinde of vow, see Leviticus 27:29.

Numbers 21:4

the land of Edom] They were to compasse it, (but not to passe through it) and destroy it, for so were they charged, Deuteronomy 2:5. though by the name not of Edom, but of Seir, for so was Esaus or Edoms Countrey called.

Numbers 21:5

light bread] Meaning Manna, which they account light, as if it had little substance in it for their nourishment, in comparison of the more solid and substantiall diet which they had in Egypt; and which now by common use was to them as unpleasant as they thought it unprofitable: See Proverbs 27:7.

Numbers 21:6

fiery Serpents] So called, because those who were bitten or stung with them, were so enflamed with the heat thereof, that they died.

Numbers 21:8

fiery Serpent] That is, a Serpent of the colour of fier, as burnisht brasse is, Revelation 1:15. Ezekiel 1:7. This was a figure of Christ, for as they that looked upon the brasen Serpent lifted up upon a pole, were cured of the hurt they received by the fiery Serpents, vers. 9. so they that fixed the eye of faith on Christ, lifted up also, John 3:14. upon the Crosse, were cured of the biting or sting of that old Serpent, who hath many stings, which he shooteth out like darts, and those darts are fiery, Ephesians 6:16.

Numbers 21:13

Arnon] Some take Arnon for a rock, some for a brook running betwixt the Moabites, and Amorites.

Numbers 21:14

Wherefore it is said] These two verses import some miraculous conformitie betwixt what God did at the Red Sea, and what he did at Arnon in the borders of Moab: what the former were we finde in Exodus: for the latter there is reference made to a book which is not extant, or else latent, that we know not where to find it. Some say, that as the Red Sea served for a passage to the Israelites, yet drowned the Egyptians, so the high rocks at the brook of Arnon fell upon the enemies of Israel, and made a moer easie and even passage for the Israelites; so the Jewish Rabbins relate, and some Christian Writers too easily beleeve them.

Numbers 21:17

Spring up, O well] In the Hebrew it is ascend, for fruitfull springs bubble and rise up, like a seething pot.

fing ye] Ye that receive the commoditie thereof, give praise to God for it, or with respect unto it; or sing ye at it, or about it.

Numbers 21:18

The Princes digged] That is, caused it to be digged; the principall men of the Tribes, the chiefe Magistrate, and chiefe Minister smote the ground with their rods or staves, the ensignes of their dignitie, (as Moses did the rock) or with their journeying staves began to digge, and God caused thereupon a well to spring up as water issued out of the rock, Numbers 20:11. or they digged places to receive the water that came out of the rock, 2 King. 3. 16, 17.

of the Law-giver] That is, of the Lord himselfe, so called, Isaiah 33:22. or Moses under God.

Numbers 21:24

Jabok] The name of a River arising out of Arabia, and watering the Region of the Ammonites.

strong] For the people were tall and strong like Giants, Deuteronomy 2:20.

Numbers 21:26

of the Amorites] For if it had beene the Moabites, the Israelites might not have possessed it, Deuteronomy 2:9. yet that which the Amorites had taken from the Moabites, the Israelites received and possessed, vers. 31. Numb. Chap. 32. vers. 33.

Numbers 21:27

in proverbs] A Proverbe made in scorne of Sihon King of Heshbon, (a Citie of the Land of the Amorites; see Judg. 11. 18, 19. over whom Sihon was King) which is part of the curse threatened to the wicked, Deuteronomy 28:37. this was the Proverbe used in these words [Come unto Heshbon, &c.] and those times.

Numbers 21:28

a fire] That is, warre; so called, because it is raised and pursued in heat of wrath, or, (as the common saying is) with fire and sword.

Numbers 21:29

Chemosh] Who worshippest the Idol Chemosh for a God; Chemosh was the Idol of the Moabites, 1 Kings 11:7. who was not able to defend his worshippers, which tooke the Idol for their father: Some take this to be the Idol Bacchus.

he hath given] That is, the Idol Chemosh hath given those that escaped the sword to be captives; which is ascribed to the Idol by way of derision both of him and of the opinion of the people, who conceived there was such power in him: See Judges 11:24.

Numbers 21:30

we have shot] Bragging words of Sihon and his party, concerning the conquest of Moab.