Numbers 21:2
“And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.”
Numbers 21:2 in 7 translations
- KJVKing James Version
- And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.
- DRADouay–Rheims
- But Israel binding himself by vow to the Lord, said: It thou wilt deliver this people into my hand, I will utterly destroy their cities.
- ASVAmerican Standard Version
- And Israel vowed a vow unto Jehovah, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.
- DARBYDarby
- Then Israel vowed a vow to Jehovah, and said, If thou give this people wholly into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.
- WEBThe World English Bible
- Israel vowed a vow to Yahweh, and said, If you will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- And Israel voweth a vow to Jehovah, and saith, 'If Thou dost certainly give this people into my hand, then I have devoted their cities;'
- BPVBiblePics Version
- Then Israel made a vow to the Lord, saying, "If you truly deliver this people into my hands, I will completely destroy their cities."
Context: Numbers 21
1And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners.
2And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.
3And 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.
4And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
About Numbers 21: The Bronze Serpent
The Israelites defeat King Sihon and King Og, but they also complain and are punished with fiery serpents.
Commentary
In Numbers 21, the Israelites are on their journey to the Promised Land, and they are growing increasingly impatient and discontented with the Lord. They complain about the lack of food and water, and they even go so far as to speak against God and Moses. In response, God sends fiery serpents to bite the people, and many of them die. When the people repent and cry out to Moses for help, God instructs Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. Anyone who looks at the bronze serpent will be healed.