Numbers 21:6

And the Lord sent forth burning serpents among the people, and much people of Israel died.

Targum Onkelos

In The King James Version

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

In Context

5And the people murmured (or, growled) against the Word of the Lord, and contended with Mosheh, (saying) Why have you brought us up out of Mizraim to die in the desert? For there is neither bread nor water, and our soul is weary of manna, this light food.

7And the people came to Mosheh, and said: We have sinned, for we have murmured before the Lord, and have contended with thee. Intercede before the Lord, that He may remove the serpents from among us. And Mosheh prayed for the people.

Read all of Numbers 21

Cross References

Deuteronomy 8:15Who led thee through the great and terrible desert, the place of burning serpents and scorpions, the place of thirsting, where there is no water, who brought out water for thee from the hard rock;

Matthew Henry on Numbers 21:5-10

The Brazen Serpent. ( b. c. 1452.) 4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. 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. 6 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Numbers 21:6