King James Version
Numbers 21:2 in the King James Version says “And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterl...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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.”
Numbers 21:2 · KJV
And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners.
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.
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: that is, Utter destruction
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. discouraged: or, grieved: Heb. shortened
KJV Study — Public Domain
“And Israel”
H3478he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
“unto the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
“If thou wilt indeed”
H5414to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
“If thou wilt indeed”
H5414to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“this people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
“into my hand”
H3027a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
“then I will utterly destroy”
H2763to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“their cities”
H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Numbers 21:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
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