Numbers 21
Common English Bible
Defeat of the Canaanite king of Arad
21 When the Canaanite king of Arad, who ruled in the arid southern plain, heard that the Israelites were coming on the Atharim road, he fought against Israel and took some of them captive. 2 Then Israel made a solemn promise to the Lord and said, “If you give this people into our hands, we will completely destroy their city.” 3 The Lord heard the voice of Israel and handed the Canaanites over. They completely destroyed them and their cities, so the name of the place is called Hormah.[a]
The bronze snake’s healing power
4 They marched from Mount Hor on the Reed Sea[b] road around the land of Edom. The people became impatient on the road. 5 The people spoke against God and Moses: “Why did you bring us up from Egypt to kill us in the desert, where there is no food or water. And we detest this miserable bread!” 6 So the Lord sent poisonous[c] snakes among the people and they bit the people. Many of the Israelites died.
7 The people went to Moses and said, “We’ve sinned, for we spoke against the Lord and you. Pray to the Lord so that he will send the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.
8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous snake and place it on a pole. Whoever is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 Moses made a bronze snake and placed it on a pole. If a snake bit someone, that person could look at the bronze snake and live.
March around Moab
10 Then the Israelites marched and they camped at Oboth. 11 They marched from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim in the desert on the border of Moab toward the east. 12 From there they marched and camped in the Zered ravine. 13 From there they marched and camped across the Arnon in the desert that extends from the border of the Amorites, for the Arnon was the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. 14 For this reason the scroll of the Lord’s wars says:
Waheb in Suphah and the ravines.
The Arnon 15 and the ravines
that extend to the settlement of Ar
and lie along the border of Moab.
16 From there they marched to Beer, the well where the Lord said to Moses, “Gather the people, and I’ll give them water.” 17 Then the Israelites sang this song:
“Well, flow up!
Sing about it!
18 The well that the officials dug,
that the officials of the people hollowed out
with the ruler’s scepter and their staffs.”
They marched from the desert to Mattanah; 19 from Mattanah to Nahaliel; from Nahaliel to Bamoth; 20 from Bamoth to the valley in the Moabite countryside, to the top of Pisgah overlooking Jeshimon.[d]
Wars against Sihon and Og
21 Then the Israelites sent messengers to Sihon the Amorite king: 22 “Let us pass through your land. We won’t turn aside into a field or vineyard. We won’t drink water from a well. We will walk on the King’s Highway until we cross your border.”
23 But Sihon wouldn’t allow the Israelites to cross his border. Sihon gathered all his people and went out to meet the Israelites in the desert. When he came to Jahaz, he attacked the Israelites. 24 The Israelites struck him down with their swords and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as the Ammonites, for the border of the Ammonites was fortified. 25 The Israelites took all these cities. Then the Israelites settled in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon and all its villages.
26 Now Heshbon was the city of Sihon the Amorite king who had fought against the former king of Moab. He had taken all his land from him as far as the Arnon. 27 Therefore, the poets say:
“Come to Heshbon, let it be built.
Let the city of Sihon be established.
28 Fire went out from Heshbon,
flame from Sihon’s city.
It consumed Ar of Moab
and swallowed up the shrines of the Arnon.
29 You are doomed, Moab!
You are destroyed, people of Chemosh!
He gave his sons as fugitives,
and his daughters as captives
to the Amorite king Sihon.
30 Yet we have thrown them down,
destroying them[e]
from Heshbon to Dibon.
We brought ruin until Nophah,
which is by Medeba.”
31 Israel settled in the land of the Amorites. 32 Moses sent spies to Jazer. They captured its villages and took possession of the Amorites who were there. 33 Then they turned and ascended the road of Bashan. Og, Bashan’s king, came out at Edrei to meet them in battle, he and all his people. 34 The Lord said to Moses: Don’t be afraid of him, for I have handed over all his people and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon the Amorite king who ruled in Heshbon.
35 They slaughtered Og, his sons, and all his people until there were no survivors. Then they took possession of his land.
Footnotes
- Numbers 21:3 Or destruction
- Numbers 21:4 Or Red Sea
- Numbers 21:6 Heb uncertain
- Numbers 21:20 Or wasteland
- Numbers 21:30 Heb uncertain; LXX their posterity has perished
民數記 21
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
擊敗迦南人
21 住在南地的迦南人亞拉得王聽說以色列人取道亞他林而來,就攻打他們,俘虜了一些人。 2 以色列人向耶和華許願說:「要是你將這些人交在我們手中,我們必徹底摧毀[a]他們的城邑。」 3 耶和華答應了他們的祈求,把迦南人交在他們手中,使他們徹底毀滅了迦南人及其城邑。從此,那地方叫何珥瑪[b]。
銅蛇
4 以色列人為了繞過以東,便從何珥山出發,沿通往紅海的路行進。途中,民眾心裡煩躁, 5 埋怨上帝和摩西說:「你們為什麼把我們從埃及帶出來,叫我們死在曠野呢?這裡無糧無水,我們厭惡這難吃的東西!」
6 於是,耶和華派毒蛇進入以色列人中,咬死了許多人。 7 他們來找摩西,說:「我們埋怨耶和華和你,犯了罪,求你向耶和華禱告,好叫這些蛇離開我們。」摩西就為他們禱告。 8 耶和華對摩西說:「你去造一條蛇掛在杆子上,凡被咬的一望這蛇,就可活命。」 9 摩西就造了一條銅蛇,掛在杆子上。被蛇咬的人一望銅蛇,就保住了性命。
前往摩押
10 以色列人繼續前行,在阿伯安營; 11 又從阿伯動身,走到摩押東邊的曠野,在以耶·亞巴琳安營; 12 又從那裡前行,走到撒烈谷安營; 13 又從那裡出發,走到亞嫩河北岸的曠野安營。那裡毗鄰亞摩利人的邊境,亞嫩河是摩押和亞摩利之間的疆界。 14 因此,耶和華的戰記上說:「蘇法的哇哈伯,亞嫩河谷, 15 以及河谷的斜坡——靠近摩押邊界並延伸到亞珥城。」
16 以色列人又往前走,來到比珥[c]。耶和華曾在那裡對摩西說:「把民眾招聚起來,我要給他們水喝。」 17 當時,以色列人唱了這首歌:
「井啊,湧出水來!
你們要歌頌這口井,
18 它是首領挖的,
是民中的貴族掘的,
用令牌和權杖挖掘的。」
他們從曠野前往瑪他拿, 19 從瑪他拿前往拿哈列,從拿哈列前往巴末, 20 從巴末前往摩押的谷地,從那裡的毗斯迦山頂可以俯視曠野。
擊敗亞摩利王和巴珊王
21 以色列人派使者去見亞摩利王西宏,說: 22 「請允許我們從貴國經過,我們只走大路,不會踏入田地和葡萄園,也不會喝井裡的水,直到走出貴國的土地。」 23 但西宏拒絕了他們的請求,並招聚軍隊到曠野攻擊他們。兩軍在雅雜交鋒。 24 以色列人殺了西宏,佔領了他的土地——從亞嫩河到雅博河,遠至防守嚴密的亞捫人邊界。 25 以色列人攻佔了亞摩利人的所有城邑,包括希實本及其周圍的村莊,住在其中。 26 希實本是亞摩利王西宏的都城。西宏曾與摩押的先王交戰,佔領了他所有的領土,遠至亞嫩河。 27 因此有人作詩說:
「來希實本吧!
重建西宏的城。
28 希實本烈焰熊熊,
西宏的城火光沖天,
燒毀摩押的亞珥,
吞噬亞嫩河的高崗。
29 摩押啊,你大禍臨頭了!
拜基抹神明的人啊,
你們要滅亡了!
基抹任由自己的兒子逃亡、
女兒被亞摩利王西宏擄走。
30 但我們擊潰了亞摩利人,
從希實本一直到底本都被摧毀,
從挪法到米底巴都淪為廢墟。」
31 於是,以色列人住在亞摩利境內。 32 摩西派人去雅謝打探,然後出兵攻佔了雅謝及其周圍的村莊,趕走那裡的亞摩利人。 33 以色列人回師前往巴珊,巴珊王噩率全軍出動,在以得來迎戰以色列人。 34 耶和華對摩西說:「不要怕他,因為我已把他及其眾民和土地交在你手中。你要像從前對付希實本的亞摩利王西宏一樣對付他。」 35 於是,以色列人殺了噩及其兒子和人民,一個不留,並奪取了他的國土。
民数记 21
Chinese Union Version Modern Punctuation (Simplified)
21 住南地的迦南人亚拉得王,听说以色列人从亚他林路来,就和以色列人争战,掳了他们几个人。 2 以色列人向耶和华发愿说:“你若将这民交付我手,我就把他们的城邑尽行毁灭。” 3 耶和华应允了以色列人,把迦南人交付他们,他们就把迦南人和迦南人的城邑尽行毁灭。那地方的名便叫何珥玛[a]。
火蛇与铜蛇
4 他们从何珥山起行,往红海那条路走,要绕过以东地。百姓因这路难行,心中甚是烦躁, 5 就怨讟神和摩西说:“你们为什么把我们从埃及领出来,使我们死在旷野呢?这里没有粮,没有水,我们的心厌恶这淡薄的食物!” 6 于是耶和华使火蛇进入百姓中间,蛇就咬他们,以色列人中死了许多。 7 百姓到摩西那里,说:“我们怨讟耶和华和你,有罪了。求你祷告耶和华,叫这些蛇离开我们。”于是摩西为百姓祷告。 8 耶和华对摩西说:“你制造一条火蛇,挂在杆子上。凡被咬的,一望这蛇,就必得活。” 9 摩西便制造一条铜蛇,挂在杆子上。凡被蛇咬的,一望这铜蛇就活了。
民由阿伯起行至毗斯迦山
10 以色列人起行,安营在阿伯。 11 又从阿伯起行,安营在以耶亚巴琳,与摩押相对的旷野,向日出之地。 12 从那里起行,安营在撒烈谷。 13 从那里起行,安营在亚嫩河那边。这亚嫩河是在旷野,从亚摩利的境界流出来的。原来亚嫩河是摩押的边界,在摩押和亚摩利人搭界的地方。 14 所以《耶和华的战记》上说:“苏法的哇哈伯与亚嫩河的谷, 15 并向亚珥城众谷的下坡,是靠近摩押的境界。” 16 以色列人从那里起行,到了比珥[b]。从前耶和华吩咐摩西说:“招聚百姓,我好给他们水喝”,说的就是这井。 17 当时,以色列人唱歌说:“井啊,涌上水来!你们要向这井歌唱。 18 这井是首领和民中的尊贵人用圭用杖所挖所掘的。”以色列人从旷野往玛他拿去, 19 从玛他拿到拿哈列,从拿哈列到巴末, 20 从巴末到摩押地的谷,又到那下望旷野之毗斯迦的山顶。
击败亚摩利巴珊二王
21 以色列人差遣使者去见亚摩利人的王西宏,说: 22 “求你容我们从你的地经过。我们不偏入田间和葡萄园,也不喝井里的水,只走大道[c],直到过了你的境界。” 23 西宏不容以色列人从他的境界经过,就招聚他的众民出到旷野,要攻击以色列人,到了雅杂与以色列人争战。 24 以色列人用刀杀了他,得了他的地,从亚嫩河到雅博河,直到亚扪人的境界,因为亚扪人的境界多有坚垒。 25 以色列人夺取这一切的城邑,也住亚摩利人的城邑,就是希实本与希实本的一切乡村。 26 这希实本是亚摩利王西宏的京城,西宏曾与摩押的先王争战,从他手中夺取了全地,直到亚嫩河。 27 所以那些作诗歌的说:“你们来到希实本,愿西宏的城被修造,被建立! 28 因为有火从希实本发出,有火焰出于西宏的城,烧尽摩押的亚珥和亚嫩河丘坛的祭司[d]。 29 摩押啊,你有祸了!基抹的民哪,你们灭亡了!基抹的男子逃奔,女子被掳,交付亚摩利的王西宏。 30 我们射了他们,希实本直到底本尽皆毁灭。我们使地变成荒场,直到挪法。这挪法直延到米底巴。” 31 这样,以色列人就住在亚摩利人之地。 32 摩西打发人去窥探雅谢,以色列人就占了雅谢的镇市,赶出那里的亚摩利人。
33 以色列人转回,向巴珊去。巴珊王噩和他的众民都出来,在以得来与他们交战。 34 耶和华对摩西说:“不要怕他。因我已将他和他的众民,并他的地,都交在你手中。你要待他像从前待住希实本的亚摩利王西宏一般。” 35 于是他们杀了他和他的众子,并他的众民,没有留下一个,就得了他的地。
Numbers 21
New International Version
Arad Destroyed
21 When the Canaanite king of Arad,(A) who lived in the Negev,(B) heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked the Israelites and captured some of them. 2 Then Israel made this vow(C) to the Lord: “If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy[a](D) their cities.” 3 The Lord listened to Israel’s plea and gave the Canaanites(E) over to them. They completely destroyed them(F) and their towns; so the place was named Hormah.[b](G)
The Bronze Snake
4 They traveled from Mount Hor(H) along the route to the Red Sea,[c](I) to go around Edom.(J) But the people grew impatient on the way;(K) 5 they spoke against God(L) and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt(M) to die in the wilderness?(N) There is no bread! There is no water!(O) And we detest this miserable food!”(P)
6 Then the Lord sent venomous snakes(Q) among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.(R) 7 The people came to Moses(S) and said, “We sinned(T) when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord(U) will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed(V) for the people.
8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole;(W) anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake(X) and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.(Y)
The Journey to Moab
10 The Israelites moved on and camped at Oboth.(Z) 11 Then they set out from Oboth and camped in Iye Abarim, in the wilderness that faces Moab(AA) toward the sunrise. 12 From there they moved on and camped in the Zered Valley.(AB) 13 They set out from there and camped alongside the Arnon(AC), which is in the wilderness extending into Amorite territory. The Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.(AD) 14 That is why the Book of the Wars(AE) of the Lord says:
“. . . Zahab[d] in Suphah and the ravines,
the Arnon 15 and[e] the slopes of the ravines
that lead to the settlement of Ar(AF)
and lie along the border of Moab.”
16 From there they continued on to Beer,(AG) the well where the Lord said to Moses, “Gather the people together and I will give them water.”
17 Then Israel sang this song:(AH)
“Spring up, O well!
Sing about it,
18 about the well that the princes dug,
that the nobles of the people sank—
the nobles with scepters and staffs.”
Then they went from the wilderness to Mattanah, 19 from Mattanah to Nahaliel, from Nahaliel to Bamoth, 20 and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah(AI) overlooks the wasteland.
Defeat of Sihon and Og
21 Israel sent messengers(AJ) to say to Sihon(AK) king of the Amorites:(AL)
22 “Let us pass through your country. We will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.(AM)”
23 But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory.(AN) He mustered his entire army and marched out into the wilderness against Israel. When he reached Jahaz,(AO) he fought with Israel.(AP) 24 Israel, however, put him to the sword(AQ) and took over his land(AR) from the Arnon to the Jabbok,(AS) but only as far as the Ammonites,(AT) because their border was fortified. 25 Israel captured all the cities of the Amorites(AU) and occupied them,(AV) including Heshbon(AW) and all its surrounding settlements. 26 Heshbon was the city of Sihon(AX) king of the Amorites,(AY) who had fought against the former king of Moab(AZ) and had taken from him all his land as far as the Arnon.(BA)
27 That is why the poets say:
“Come to Heshbon and let it be rebuilt;
let Sihon’s city be restored.
28 “Fire went out from Heshbon,
a blaze from the city of Sihon.(BB)
It consumed(BC) Ar(BD) of Moab,
the citizens of Arnon’s heights.(BE)
29 Woe to you, Moab!(BF)
You are destroyed, people of Chemosh!(BG)
He has given up his sons as fugitives(BH)
and his daughters as captives(BI)
to Sihon king of the Amorites.
30 “But we have overthrown them;
Heshbon’s dominion has been destroyed all the way to Dibon.(BJ)
We have demolished them as far as Nophah,
which extends to Medeba.(BK)”
31 So Israel settled in the land of the Amorites.(BL)
32 After Moses had sent spies(BM) to Jazer,(BN) the Israelites captured its surrounding settlements and drove out the Amorites who were there. 33 Then they turned and went up along the road toward Bashan(BO),(BP) and Og king of Bashan and his whole army marched out to meet them in battle at Edrei.(BQ)
34 The Lord said to Moses, “Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon.(BR)”
35 So they struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army, leaving them no survivors.(BS) And they took possession of his land.(BT)
Footnotes
- Numbers 21:2 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them; also in verse 3.
- Numbers 21:3 Hormah means destruction.
- Numbers 21:4 Or the Sea of Reeds
- Numbers 21:14 Septuagint; Hebrew Waheb
- Numbers 21:15 Or “I have been given from Suphah and the ravines / of the Arnon 15 to
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