Numbers 21:1-3

Arad Destroyed

1 When 1the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in 2the Negeb, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim, he fought against Israel, and took some of them captive.
2 3And Israel vowed a vow to the LORD and said, "If you will indeed give this people into my hand, then I will devote their cities to destruction."[a]
3 And the LORD heeded the voice of Israel and gave over the Canaanites, and they devoted them and their cities to destruction. So the name of the place was called 4Hormah.[b]

Numbers 21:1-3 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 21

This chapter gives an account of the defeat of King Arad, the Canaanite, Nu 21:1-3 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, Nu 21:4-6 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, Nu 21:7-9 and of the several journeys and stations of the children of Israel, until they came to the land of the Amorites, Nu 21:10-20, when they sent a message to Sihon their king, to desire him to grant them a passage through his country; but he refusing, they fought with him, smote him, and possessed his land, concerning which many proverbial sayings were used, Nu 21:21-32 and the chapter is concluded with the defeat of Og, king of Bashan, Nu 21:33-35.

Cross References 4

  • 1. Numbers 33:40; [Judges 1:16]
  • 2. See Numbers 13:17
  • 3. [Genesis 28:20; Judges 11:30]
  • 4. Numbers 14:45; Deuteronomy 1:44; Joshua 19:4; Judges 1:17

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. That is, set apart (devote) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction); also verse 3
  • [b]. Hormah means destruction
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.