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Numbers 21:6

JudgmentSickness and healing

4 Then they set out from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, in order to bypass the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient on the journey

5 and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”

So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died.

7 Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people.

8 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.”

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died.
KJV
And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
WEB
The LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and they bit the people. Many people of Israel died.
ASV
And Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
DARBY
Then Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, which bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
BLB
And YHWH sent among the people fiery serpents, and they bit the people; and many people of Israel died.
ÅB
Da sendte Herren seraf-slanger[^2] inn iblant folket, og de bet folket; og der døde meget folk av Israel.
OTB
Da sendte Herren brennende slanger blant folket, og de bet folket, så mange israelitter døde.
B1930
Da sendte Herren seraf-slanger inn iblandt folket, og de bet folket; og der døde meget folk av Israel. / < brennende d.e. giftige slanger.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Corinthians 10:9

    We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.

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  • Deuteronomy 8:15

    He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint.

    Read in context

  • Jeremiah 8:17

    “For behold, I will send snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you,” declares the LORD.

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  • Amos 9:3–4

    Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them.

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 30:6

    This is the burden against the beasts of the Negev: Through a land of hardship and distress, of lioness and lion, of viper and flying serpent, they carry their wealth on the backs of donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people of no profit to them.

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 14:29

    Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg.

    Read in context

  • Genesis 3:14–15

    So the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and every beast of the field! On your belly will you go, and dust you will eat, all the days of your life.

    Read in context