Numbers 21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 21

The armies of Israel now begin to emerge out of the wilderness, and to come into a land inhabited, to enter upon action, and take possession of the frontiers of the land of promise. A glorious campaign this chapter gives us the history of, especially in the latter part of it. Here is, I. The defeat of Arad the Canaanite, Num. 21:1-3. II. The chastisement of the people with fiery serpents for their murmurings, and the relief granted them upon their submission by a brazen serpent, Num. 21:4-9.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 21:1-3

Here is, 1. The descent which Arad the Canaanite made upon the camp of Israel, hearing that they came by the way of the spies; for, though the spies which Moses had sent thirty-eight years before then passed and repassed unobserved, yet their coming, and their errand, it is likely, were afterwards known to the Canaanites, gave them an alarm, and induced them to keep an eye upon Israel and get intelligence of all their motions. Now, when they understood that they were facing about towards... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 21:4-9

Here is, I. The fatigue of Israel by a long march round the land of Edom, because they could not obtain passage through it the nearest way: The soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way, Num. 21:4. Perhaps the way was rough and uneven, or foul and dirty; or it fretted them to go far about, and that they were not permitted to force their passage through the Edomites? country. Those that are of a fretful discontented spirit will always find something or other to make them... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 21:10-20

We have here an account of the several stages and removals of the children of Israel, till they came into the plains of Moab, out of which they at length passed over Jordan into Canaan, as we read in the beginning of Joshua. Natural motions are quicker the nearer they are to their centre. The Israelites were now drawing near to the promised rest, and now they set forward, as the expression is, Num. 21:10. It were well if we would do thus in our way to heaven, rid ground in the latter end of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 21:21-35

We have here an account of the victories obtained by Israel over Sihon and Og, which must be distinctly considered, not only because they are here distinctly related, but because long afterwards the memorial of them is distinctly celebrated, and they are severally assigned as instances of everlasting mercy. He slew Sihon king of the Amorites, for his mercy endureth for ever, and Og the king of Bashan, for his mercy endureth for ever, Ps. 136:19; 20. I. Israel sent a peaceable message to Sihon... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 21 This chapter gives an account of the defeat of King Arad, the Canaanite, Numbers 21:1 of the murmurings of the children of Israel, because of difficulties in travelling round, the land of Edom, for which they were punished with fiery serpents, Numbers 21:4 and how that upon their repentance a brazen serpent was ordered to be made, and to be erected on a pole, that whoever looked to it might live, Numbers 21:7 and of the several journeys and stations of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:1

And when King Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south ,.... Arad seems rather to be the name of a place, city, or country, of which the Canaanite was king, than the name of a man, since we read of the king of Arad, Joshua 12:14 see also Judges 1:16 and so the Targums of Onkelos and Jerusalem here render it, the king of Arad; and the Targum of Jonathan says, he changed his seat and reigned in Arad, which might have its name from Arvad, a son of Canaan, Genesis 10:18 and Jerom... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:2

And Israel vowed a vow unto the Lord ,.... The Israelites made supplication to the Lord for help against their enemies, and that he would give them victory over them, and made promises to him: and said, if thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand ; certainly and entirely deliver them, so as that a complete victory shall be obtained over them: then will I utterly destroy their cities ; or "anathematize", or devote them to utter destruction F15 והחרמתי "et... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:3

And the Lord hearkened to the voice of Israel ,.... In their prayers and vows; with acceptance heard, and answered them according to their wish: and delivered up the Canaanites : into their hands, gave them victory over them: and they utterly destroyed them and their cities ; that is, "anathematized" them, and devoted them to destruction; for as yet they did not actually destroy them, since we read of Arad afterwards, Joshua 12:14 , but this they did in Joshua's time, when the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:4

And they journeyed from Mount Hor ,.... After the battle with the king of Arad, and the defeat of him: by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom ; which lay by it, and from whence it had the name of the Red sea, Edom signifying red; and by the way of that the Israelites must needs go, to go round that country: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way ; because it was going back instead of going forward to Canaan's land, and because of the length... read more

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