numbers-21:1-4,-numbers-33:1-4,-numbers-33:40

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 21:1-3

Here is, 1. The descent which Arad the Canaanite made upon the camp of Israel, hearing that they came by the way of the spies; for, though the spies which Moses had sent thirty-eight years before then passed and repassed unobserved, yet their coming, and their errand, it is likely, were afterwards known to the Canaanites, gave them an alarm, and induced them to keep an eye upon Israel and get intelligence of all their motions. Now, when they understood that they were facing about towards... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 21:4-9

Here is, I. The fatigue of Israel by a long march round the land of Edom, because they could not obtain passage through it the nearest way: The soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way, Num. 21:4. Perhaps the way was rough and uneven, or foul and dirty; or it fretted them to go far about, and that they were not permitted to force their passage through the Edomites? country. Those that are of a fretful discontented spirit will always find something or other to make them... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:1

And when King Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south ,.... Arad seems rather to be the name of a place, city, or country, of which the Canaanite was king, than the name of a man, since we read of the king of Arad, Joshua 12:14 see also Judges 1:16 and so the Targums of Onkelos and Jerusalem here render it, the king of Arad; and the Targum of Jonathan says, he changed his seat and reigned in Arad, which might have its name from Arvad, a son of Canaan, Genesis 10:18 and Jerom... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:2

And Israel vowed a vow unto the Lord ,.... The Israelites made supplication to the Lord for help against their enemies, and that he would give them victory over them, and made promises to him: and said, if thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand ; certainly and entirely deliver them, so as that a complete victory shall be obtained over them: then will I utterly destroy their cities ; or "anathematize", or devote them to utter destruction F15 והחרמתי "et... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:3

And the Lord hearkened to the voice of Israel ,.... In their prayers and vows; with acceptance heard, and answered them according to their wish: and delivered up the Canaanites : into their hands, gave them victory over them: and they utterly destroyed them and their cities ; that is, "anathematized" them, and devoted them to destruction; for as yet they did not actually destroy them, since we read of Arad afterwards, Joshua 12:14 , but this they did in Joshua's time, when the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:4

And they journeyed from Mount Hor ,.... After the battle with the king of Arad, and the defeat of him: by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom ; which lay by it, and from whence it had the name of the Red sea, Edom signifying red; and by the way of that the Israelites must needs go, to go round that country: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way ; because it was going back instead of going forward to Canaan's land, and because of the length... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 21:1

The way of the spies - אתרים atharim . Some think that this signifies the way that the spies took when they went to search the land. But this is impossible, as Dr. Kennicott justly remarks, because Israel had now marched from Meribah-Kadesh to Mount Hor, beyond Ezion-Gaber, and were turning round Edom to the south-east; and therefore the word is to be understood here as the name of a place. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 21:3

The Lord hearkened to the voice of Israel - The whole of this verse appears to me to have been added after the days of Joshua. It is certain the Canaanites were not utterly destroyed at the time here spoken of, for this did not take place till after the death of Moses. If, instead of utterly destroyed them, ויחרם vaiyacharem , we translate they devoted them to utter destruction, it will make a good sense, and not repugnant to the Hebrew; though some think it more probable that the verse... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 21:1

Verse 1 1.And when king Arad the Canaanite. It is not altogether agreed among commentators who this king Arad was. Some think that he was an Amalekite, but this error is refuted by the fact that the Amalekites had already attempted in vain to interrupt the journey of the people. Nor is it credible that after so great a slaughter, they would have endeavored to do so again, especially since their territories remained untouched. Besides, it would have been absurd to call the Amalekites Canaanites,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 21:2

Verse 2 2.And Israel vowed a vow unto the Lord. This was a manifestation of piety, when they had sustained a loss, not to cast away hope, nor to murmur against God; but to encourage themselves by entreating His aid. To this slate of submissiveness they had been subdued by the chastisements of God, although the continuance of their obedience, as we shall presently see, was not of long duration. Any one at first sight would say that there was something absurd in this vow; but we gather from the... read more

Numbers-21:1-4,-numbers-33:1-4,-numbers-33:40

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 21:1-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 21:4-9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 21:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 21:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 21:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 21:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 21:2

Group of Brands