numbers 21:1

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Numbers 21:1

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”

— D.L. Moody
Numbers 21:1
Verse 1 of 35

Scripture focus

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 21:1KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Numbers 21:1

Theological / Devotional

King Arad. The name may refer to the place, making the verse read, “And when the king of Arad the Canaanite” (see Joshua 12:14; Judges 1:16; 1 Chron. 8:15). Arad is about 50 mi. north of Kadesh and 17 south of Hebron, and is known today as Tell ‘Arad.

By the way of the spies. Rather, “by the way of Atharim.” To translate the Hebrew expression by the words “of the spies,” is to assume an unjustified philological identity between two words where none exists. Grammatically, a proper noun is required after the Hebrew word for “way,” and not a designation of certain travelers who had used the road.

Prisoners. The king apparently cut off a few stragglers in the rear or on the borders of the line of march; for had he attacked the main body in force, there would likely have been some account of battle casualties.

By SdaBc