Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Numbers 21

Num 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.

If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand

Gen 28:20; Jdg 11:30.

Num 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

i.e. utter destruction.

Num 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.

the people spake against God

Psa 78:19.

Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?

Cf. Exo 16:3; 17:3.

our soul loatheth

Cf. Num 11:4-6.

this light bread

Cf. John 6:48-52, 60-64.

Num 21:6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

the LORD sent fiery serpents

1Co 10:9; Deu 8:15.

Num 21:8 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.

Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole

John 3:14, 15.

Num 21:9 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.

serpent of brass

See Scofield Genesis 3:14, note. The serpent is a symbol of sin judged; brass speaks of the divine judgment, as in the brazen altar (Scofield Exodus 27:2, refs. and note), and self-judgment, as in the laver of brass. The brazen serpent is a type of Christ "made sin for us" (John 3:14, 15; 2 Corinthians 5:21) in bearing our judgment. Historically, the moment is indicated in the cry: "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46).

2Ki 18:4.

when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived

Bible prayers (O.T.). vs. 8, 9; Jos 3:14-17. (Gen 15:2; Hab 3:1-16.)

Num 21:11 And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ijeabarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrising.

Ijeabarim

i.e. ruins of Abarim.

Num 21:17 Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:

The spiritual order here is beautiful:

1. atonement (Numbers 21:8, 9; John 3:14, 15);
2. water, symbol of the Spirit bestowed (Numbers 21:16; John 7:37-39);
3. joy (Numbers 21:17, 18; Romans 14:17);
4. power (Numbers 21:21-24).

Num 21:20 And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon.

Pisgah

i.e. the hill.

Jeshimon

i.e. wilderness.

Num 21:33 And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.

they turned and went up by the way of Bashan

Deu 3:1; 29:7.

Num 21:34 And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.

the LORD said unto Moses

Deu 3:2.