Keraia
Numbers 21

Numbers 21:3

The Defeat of Arad · Numbers 21:1–3
Read Numbers 21

Translations

Modern
And the LORD heard Israel’s plea and delivered up the Canaanites. Israel devoted them and their cities to destruction; so they named the place Hormah.
Traditional
And the Lord hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.
Literal
And YHWH listened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanite. And they devoted to destruction them and their cities. And the name of the place was called Hormah.
Latin
Exaudivitque Dominus preces Israël, et tradidit Chananæum, quem ille interfecit subversis urbibus ejus: et vocavit nomen loci illius Horma, id est, anathema.

Original

Hebrew
English
And the LORD heard Israel’s plea and delivered up the Canaanites. Israel devoted them and their cities to destruction; so they named the place Hormah.

Notes

Numbers 21:2–3

  • devote … to destruction: This phrase translates the Hebrew word kharam. This word means to devote something fully to God by destroying it. Israel was told to completely destroy their enemies and their property in certain cases (see Leviticus 27:28–29; Deuteronomy 7:2; 20:17; Joshua 6–7; 10:1–11:23).

  • This battle also includes wordplay between kharam and Hormah (Hebrew khormah, Numbers 21:3). The similar sounds connect the action of destroying with the name of the place.

    The event marks a turning point in Israel’s dealings with the Canaanites. The Canaanites would continue to be strong and dangerous enemies during the time of the conquest.

Numbers 21:1–22:1

  • As Israel journeyed to the promised land, they traveled from Mount Hor to the plains of Moab (22:1). The story of Israel's journey emphasizes the Lord's patient plan to lead Israel into Canaan despite their weaknesses.

  • The general direction of their travel is clear. However, the exact path they took is not known today. Many of the places mentioned are difficult to identify.

    Archaeological evidence at some sites does not match the time usually connected with the wilderness period. Because of this, there are still serious questions about geography and history in the wilderness journey.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Canaan: Ancient region; descendants of Ham; promised to Abraham's descendants Zephath: A Canaanite city captured by Judah and Simeon

Glossary

Arad (Place) Book of the Wars of the Lord Bronze Snake, Bronze Serpent Deuteronomy, Book of Judges, Book of Moses Numbers, Book of

Topics

Canaanites: Defeated by the Israelites Hormah: A City Southwest of the Dead Sea Israel: Defeat the Canaanites Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Mount Hor: Arad Conquered Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Mount Hor: Called Hormah War: God: Gives the Victory In