Numbers 21:9 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.”

Numbers 21:9

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

Therefore 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.

And 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.

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth.

And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ijeabarim, in the wilderness which {is} before Moab, toward the sunrising. {Ijeabarim: or, heaps of Abarim}

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Numbers 21:1

"And {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."

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 21:3

"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. {Hormah: that is, Utter destruction}"

Numbers 21:4

"And 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. {discouraged: or, grieved: Heb. shortened}"

Numbers 21:5

"And 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."

Numbers 21:6

"And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died."

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