Numbers 21

The Canaanites fight against Israel, and overpower some of them, verse 1.etc. but through Gods assistance they subdue them again, and destroy both them and their Cities.3. The people murmur again, 5. For which they are plague with fiery Serpents, 6. They repent, 7. God commands the erecting of a copper serpent, 8. which Moseh setteth up; and who so looketh on it, recovered, 9. Several journeys of the Israelites, 10. Their Hymn at beer, for the water, which God had given them, 17. The Israelites sue for passage to the Amorites,21. Sihon refuse it, 23. The Israelites defeat them, with their king, and take their Cities, 24. Some sayings of Sihons oppression, 27. Og the King of Basan, fights against the Israelites, and is overcome, and his land possessed by the Israelites, 33.

1. When the Canaanite the King of Harad; [This seemeth to be the name of the City where this King had his residence, see jos.12.14. Others are of opinion, that the King himself was called Harad] inhabiting toward the south, [viz.of the Land of Canaan, whither the spies went, numb.13.17. see also Numb.33.40.] heard that Israel came by the way of the spies: [i.e. the same way, which the spies had sent forth. Some conceive the word Atharim (rendred spy here) to be the name of a certain place] he fought against Israel, and he carried away some captives of them away captives.

2. Then Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said: if thou dost give this people wholly into my hand, then I will banne their cities. [i.e. I will not keep the same for my own use and advantage, but hallow them unto thee, or destroy them for thine honour; see Isa. Chap.6.17, 19, 21, 24. And Lev.27.28, 29.]

3. The LORD then heard the voice of Israel, and gave the Canaanites over, [viz. into his hands, as v. 2.] and he banned them, and their Cities: [this was not completely performed in Moseh’s time, but by Joshua afterwards Jos.12.14. and Jud.1.16,17.] and he, [viz. Israel, i.e. the Israelites] called the name of that place Horma. [i.e. banning, utter destruction.]

4. Then they journeyed from mount Hor, on the way of the reed-sea, [See Exod.13.18.] that they might march about the Land of the Edomites: yet the peoples soul grew vexed, [Hebr. Perverted, see Jud.10.on v.16.] upon this way [or, by reason of this way.]

5. And the people spake against God, and against Moseh; wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt? That we should die in this Wilderness? For here is no bread nor water, and our soul loatheth this very light bread. [Thus they call the bread of heaven, or the Manna which was still continued to them]

6. Then the LORD sent fieries Serpents [Heb. Burning Serpents, thus called from the effect of their biting, which caused a mortall burning, and conse6. Then the LORD sent fieries Serpents [Heb. Burning Serpents, thus called from the effect of their biting, which caused a mortall burning, and consequently an excessive thirst] among the people: and there died much people of Israel.

7. Therefore the people came to Moseh, and said: We have sinned, for having spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray to the LORD that he take away these Serpents from us; then Moseh prayed for the people.

8. And the LORD said to Moseh, make thee a fierie Serpent, [Verse 9. It is called a copper Serpent; the meaning here is make a copper Serpent like unto one of these fiery ones] and put it upon a pole, [Or, stake, spear; others, for a sign, or upon a banner] and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh on it, he shall live. [i.e. recover and remain alive.]

9. And Moseh made a copper Serpent, and put it upon a pole; and it came to pass, when a Serpent did bite any one, he looked upon the copper Serpent, and he remained alive.

10. Then the children of Israel journeyed, and they camped themselves at Oboth.

11. After that, they journeyed from Oboth, and camped themselves by the hills of Abarim, in the Wilderness, which is over against Moab, towards the rising of the Sunne.

12. From thence they journeyed and camped themselves by the brook Zered:

13. From thence they journeyed and camped themselves on this side of Arnon, at the terry of Arnon] which is in the Wilderness coming forth out of the border of the Amorites; for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab, and between the Amorites; [of Arnon, see Jud.12.18.]

14. Therefore it is said [Others, it shall be said, viz. in future ages, or time to come] in the book of the Wars of the LORD: [i.e. of such Wars as were made by the appointment and manifest power of the LORD: this Book, or Writing, or Relation; is no more extant now, though without any prejudice or detriment of the Canonicall Scriptures] against Vaheb [viz. (as it may be understood,) were those Wars of the LORD,] or (fighting) against Vaheb, etc, or the like. The words following, as also of verse 15. are hard to be understood, and are variously interpreted; We set them down here, as they are rendred by the most Learned. Vaheb is thought to have been the King of the Moabites, whom Sihon subdued, verse 26.] in a whirle-winde, [Hebr. Besupha. Some take this to be the name of ascertain place; otherwise called Suph, Deut.1.1. others, the red Sea] and against the brooks of Arnon.

15. And the descent of the brooks, turning it self toward the situation of Ar, [a City so called in the Land of the Moabites, v. 28.] and Leaneth, [or bordereth, toucheth, is situated] on the borders of Moab.

16. And from thence (they journeyed) to Beer: This is the Well, whereof the LORD said unto Moseh; gather the people, and I will give them water.

17. (Then Israel sang this song, [Praising the goodness of God in providing this good Well, or Fountain for them] Spring up thou Well, sing thereof by turns; [or sing it by turns; See exodus 15.21. and 1 Sam.18.7. and Psalms 147:7.]

18. Thou well, which the Princes digged, which the Nobles of the people delved by the Law-giver, [i.e. by his advise and direction; understand the Law-giver Moseh, as also Deut.33.21. or, by the Law-giver, God himself may be understood here, as Isa.33 22.] with their states:) [understand this of the staves of Moseh and Aaron; or, of the staves of authority, which the Princes and Governours did usually bear in their hands in token of their office, place and authoritie, wherein God had put them, and from the Wilderness (they Journeyed) to Mattana.

19. And from Mattana to Nahaliel: and from Nahaliel to Bamoth.

20. And from Bamoth to the valley, that is in the field [i.e. Land] of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, and that which looketh toward the wilderness, [Others, toward Jesimoth.]

21. Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon the King of the Amorites, saying; [Deut.2.26. Jud.11.19.]

22. Let me pass through the Land; we will not turn aside into the Corn-fields, nor into the Vineyards, we will not drink the water of the Wells: we will goe on the Kings (high-)way, till we shall be marched through thy border.

23. But Sihon did not let Israel pass through his borders; but Sihon gathered all his people, and he went forth to meet Israel, to the wilderness and he came to Jahza, [The name of a City likewise mentioned, Deuteronomy .32. Jud.21.20. Jer.48.21.34.] and fought against Israel.

24. But Israel smote him with the edge [Heb.mouth] of the sword; and took his Land in hereditary possession, even from arnon unto Jabbok, [these are names of rivers in those parts] even unto the children of Ammon; (for the border of the children of Ammon was strong) [this is the reason why Sihon could not take the border as he had taken the Land of the Moabites.]

25. Thus Israel took in all these Cities: and Israel dwelt in all the Cities of the Amorites, at Hesbon, and in all her dependant places. [Hebr. Daughters, i.e. small Cities, Towns and villages resorting under and subjected to Hebron, as their Metropolis. Or chief Cities. Moseh calleth them elsewhere unwalled Cities, or Towns, Deut.3.5.]

26. For Hesbon was the City of Sihon the King of the Amorites, and they had fought against the former King of the Moabites: [i.e. with him that was King there, immediately before Balak] and he had taken all his land out of his hand, even to Arnon.

27. Therefore those that use Proverbs, say; Come to Hesbon, let them build and fortify the City of Sihon. [i.e. greater and stronger then she was before.]

28. For there is a fire gone forth from Hesbon; a flame out of the City of Sihon: [i.e. Sihon after that he had subdued Hesbon brake forth thence, and like a fire, over-run and embraced all the Land of Moab] it hath devoured Are of the Moabites, [viz. their Metropolis, from which the whole land got its Denomination] (and) the LORDS of the high places (or heights) of Anon; [understand the priest and Princes, which were not able to save or defend the City by their idol. See Jer.48.7. others, the Citizens of Bamoth, at Anon.]

29. Woe unto thee Moab, thou people of Chamoz art undone: [i.e. thou people which serve and worship Chamoz: thus the Idol of the Moabites was called, 1 Kings 11:33.] He [viz. Chamoz] hath delivered his sons [i.e. Moabs sons, or the Moabites , which ran away] and his daughter into captivity, [i.e. Chamoz, in stead of protecting and defending them, hath suffered them to be led away captive] to Sthon the King of the Ammorites.

30. And we have fled (or thrown) them down: [Or shot them, viz. with arrows, others, their lamp, i.e. glory is perished] Hesbon is loft even unto Dibon, [one of the high places or Cities in the Land of Moab, Isa.15.2. Jer.48.18.22.] and we have laid it waste, even unto Nophan, which (reacheth) unto Medeba. [likewise a City in the Land of Moab, Isa.15.2.]

31. Thus Israel dwelled in the land of the Ammorites.

32. After that Moseh sent to spy out Jaezer, [The name of a City having formerly appertained to the Moabites, spoken of Numb.32.1, 3, 34, 35. and Jer.48.32.] and they took in their dependant places: [See above verse 25] and he drove the Amorites, that were there out of the possession.

33. Then they turned themselves, and marched up, the way of Basan: [This was a good fat pasture-country, spoken of Deut.32.14. Psalms 22:13. Jer.50.19. Amos 4:1. mich.7. 14.] and Og the King of Basan went forth to meet (or encounter) them, and all his people, to the battell, in Esdrei. [Og was likewise a King of the Amorites, a Giant, of whom see further, Deut.3.1, 11. Esdrei, was a City situated in Ogs Kingdome, Deuteronomy 3:10.]

34. The LORD now said to Moseh; Fear him not; for I have given him into thine hand, and all his people, also his Country: and thou shalt do to him, according as thou hast done to Sihon, the King of the Amorites, that dwelt at Hesbon.

35. And they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, so that none was left him over: [Hebr. No remaining (ones) remained] and they took his [viz. King Ogs] land into hereditary possession.