Add parallel Print Page Options

Chapter 21

Victory over Arad. When the Canaanite, the king of Arad,[a] who ruled over the Negeb,(A) heard that the Israelites were coming along the way of Atharim, he engaged Israel in battle and took some of them captive. Israel then made this vow to the Lord: “If you deliver this people into my hand, I will put their cities under the ban.”(B) The Lord paid attention to Israel and delivered up the Canaanites,(C) and they put them and their cities under the ban. Hence that place was named Hormah.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 21:1–3 The account of this episode seems to be a later insertion here, since logically v. 4 belongs immediately after 20:29. Perhaps this is the same event as that mentioned in Jgs 1:16–17.
  2. 21:3 Hormah: related to the Hebrew word herem, meaning “put under the ban.” See notes on 14:45; 18:14.

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. 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.” 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)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 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.
  2. Numbers 21:3 Hormah means destruction.