Numbers 21

Notes

[Ver. 1. The word translated 'spies' is in the Syriac and other ancient versions rendered 'places.' The Septuagint and other authorities consider it a proper name, and render it 'the way of Atharim.' There seems, however, no good reason for departing from our English version. For if, contrary to the ordinary opinion of geographers, it be incorrect—an opinion, be it observed, of no more than conjectural authority—and if Kadesh and Kadesh-barnea be but two names for one place, see note ch. xx., then Israel, now at Kadesh, would naturally enter Canaan 'by the way of the spies.' C.—When the people were encamped at Kadesh it would seem that the warlike inhabitants of the Negeb and southern Canaan had established an army of observation in the mountains near them, prepared to defend the passes, and to make an attack on any favourable opportunity. The opportunity offered when the Israelites turned southward. Then the enemy attacked them in the rear, and took some prisoners. But they paid dearly for a temporary advantage. P.]

Ver. 5. [The line of march from Mount Hor was down the great valley to Ezion-gaber at the northern end of the Gulf of Akabah; then eastward across the mountain ridge to the plateau of Arabia. Here they encountered their greatest difficulties. The plateau is destitute of verdure and water. It is a dreary undulating expanse, covered with flints and debris of limestone, exposed to the parching heat of an unclouded sun. The Israelites traversed it at the very worst season, about the end of August. P.]

Ver. 9. [It signifies such a pole as was the banner-staff of the tribes, to which they were accustomed to look in decamping and marching.—He lived. The sending of the serpents was an acknowledged judgment, the cure an evident miracle. There seems no good reason for denying the serpent to be a type of Christ, Jn. 3.14, on the alleged ground of its being a name of Satan. Christ was made sin and a curse for us, 2 Co. 5.21; Ga. 3.13, and appeared, not a sinner, yet in the very 'likeness of sinful flesh,' Ro. 8.3. The sight of this serpent healed—so, says our Lord, 'Look unto me, and be ye saved,' Is. 45.22; He. 12.2. C.]

Ver. 10. [It ought to be observed that only a very few of the stations are here mentioned. A pretty full list is given in Nu. xxxiii. On reaching Oboth the worst of the journey was passed: they were on the borders of the rich pasture-land of Moab, east of the Dead Sea. P.]

Ver. 14. [Book or narrative. There is no necessity for translating it book, and then conjecturing whether the passage be a quotation from a Moabitish poem, or Mosaic book of directions to Joshua, and now lost.—Wars of the Lord, that is, wars directed by his providence and word, for punishment of wicked nations.—Red Sea, or as some think 'at Suph,' which they suppose the name of a place in the neighbourhood. Does it not more likely mean the Red Sea as in the text, and particularize it as the place where the wars of the Lord began, and closing with Pisgah, from which Moses viewed the full extent of the promised land? C.]

Ver. 16, 18. [They went is supplied by the translators. The correctness of the insertion is questionable, as the passage seems rather to commemorate the progress of the wars of the Lord than the journeyings of Israel. The words, 'by direction of the lawgiver, with their staves,' are rendered by some high authorities, 'by a decree upon their borders.' The authorized version is, however, admitted to be literal; and the mention of staves perfectly intelligible, as intimating the providential ease with which the work of digging was accomplished, and abundance of water obtained. C.—Ver. 18. This spirited ode was sung by the people, and appears to have been inspired by some signal act of divine power and mercy on the banks of the Arnon.

Perhaps it was the discovery of a copious spring by which the thirst of the fainting multitudes was assuaged. The Hebrew words may be thus rendered:—

'Spring up, O well! Sing ye unto it!

The well, the princes digged it.

The nobles of the people excavated it;

With the sceptre—with their staves.' P.]

Reflections.—Continued courage and dependence upon God are highly necessary, that at last we may prove more than conquerors. Religious vows, when properly conducted, are likewise sometimes profitable. But upon what inconsiderable temptations, prevailing lusts, formerly punished, again break forth! Often the long continuance of God's mercies with men render them cheap in their eyes. But let us remember it is hazardous to offend God, who hath so many instruments of justice at his beck; and that sufferings for sin should lead us to repentance for it; especially since God is so ready to forgive the penitent, and to turn away his wrath. But, oh unspeakable mercy! as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so Jesus Christ, the Son of man, was lifted up on the cross, and is now lifted up in the gospel, for the cure of all those deadly maladies contracted from the seduction of the old serpent the devil—when we look to him by faith! In all our wanderings on earth God can grant us wells of comfort, and fill our mouths with his praise: he can bestow noted victories in favour of his people, even on this side death. And what easy work it is to conquer the strongest enemies when God's time is come, and he helps us by his grace! Yet in these victories let me observe, that they who intend mischief to others, often fall into the pit which themselves have digged; that worldly possessions are changeable and frail; and especially that ill-gotten gain is seldom long enjoyed.