Numbers 21:21-26 NIV

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 21:21

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 designed for the people of Israel; see Genesis 15:16 , at this time Sihon was their king, to whom Moses, in the name of Israel, sent a very peaceable message from the wilderness of Kedemoth, which lay near his country, Deuteronomy 2:26 , saying ; as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:22

Let me pass through thy land ,.... Through some part of it, which would have been a shorter way to the river Jordan, over which Israel was to pass into the land of Canaan; the terms proposed, or things to be observed in their passage, which they would bind themselves strictly to, are the same that were made to the king of Edom. See Gill on Numbers 20:17 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:23

And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border ,.... Because he could not trust them, and confide in the promises they made, and thought it not safe to let such a body of people into any part of his dominions, Judges 11:20 and chiefly because his heart was hardened by the Lord, that he might be delivered into the hands of Israel, as was determined, Deuteronomy 2:30 , but Sihon gathered all his people together ; all that were able to bear arms out of his cities, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:24

And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword ,.... Slew him and his army, entirely routed them, and got a complete victory over them; God giving them up into their hands, who otherwise were a very strong, powerful, and warlike people; see Amos 2:9 . and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok ; two rivers, the one to the south, the other to the north of his country; the one was the boundary of his country between him and the Moabites, the other the boundary of his country between... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:25

And Israel took all these cities ,.... Which lay between the rivers Arnon and Jabbok; their particular names may be seen in Numbers 32:3 , and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites ; being given to the Reubenites and Gadites, who inhabited them, as their possession and inheritance, Numbers 32:2 , in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof ; or "daughters thereof" F17 בנתיה "filiabus ejus", Montanus, Munster, Fagius, Grotius. . Heshbon was the metropolis or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:26

For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites ,.... His royal city, where he kept his palace, where he had resided for some time, and perhaps some of his predecessors; and therefore being now in his possession when taken by the Israelites, they had a good right and title to keep it, and dwell in it: and indeed this is here given as a reason of it: who had fought against the former king of Moab ; either the king that reigned before Balak, or some king of Moab, that reigned... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 21:26

For Heshbon was the city of Sihon, etc. - It appears therefore that the territory now taken from Sihon by the Israelites was taken from a former king of Moab, in commemoration of which an epikedion or war song was made, several verses of which, in their ancient poetic form, are here quoted by Moses. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 21:21

Verse 21 Numbers 21:21.And Israel sent messengers. The second narration, which I have subjoined from Deuteronomy, is the fuller; nevertheless, a question arises from it, for what reason this embassy was sent to king Sihon, whose kingdom was already devoted to the Israelites: for it seems to be altogether inconsistent to offer conditions of peace when war is decreed. God commands His people to take up arms: He declares that they shall be victorious, so as to occupy the land of Sihon by right of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 21:25

Verse 25 Numbers 21:25And Israel took all these cities. As if speaking of something present, he uses the demonstrative pronoun, and says, “these cities,” just as if he were pointing them out to the eyes of his readers. The word which we have rendered “towns” (oppida,) (130) others translate “country-houses” (villas,) or “hamlets” (viculos.) In the Hebrew, Moses calls by the name of “daughters” all the villages and lesser towns, whose mother-city (metropolis) was Heshbon. By these words,... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:26

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 21:26

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 21:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 21:25

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