Numbers 21:6
“And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.”
Numbers 21:6 in 7 translations
- KJVKing James Version
- And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
- DRADouay–Rheims
- Wherefore the Lord sent among the people fiery serpents, which bit them and killed many of them.
- ASVAmerican Standard Version
- And Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
- DARBYDarby
- Then Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, which bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
- WEBThe World English Bible
- Yahweh sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many people of Israel died.
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- And Jehovah sendeth among the people the burning serpents, and they bite the people, and much people of Israel die;
- BPVBiblePics Version
- So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; many of the Israelites died.
Context: Numbers 21
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.
5And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
6And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
7Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
8And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
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.