King James Version

What Does Numbers 21:20 Mean?

Numbers 21:20 in the King James Version says “And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon. coun...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon. country: Heb. field Pisgah: or, the hill Jeshimon: or, the wilderness”

Numbers 21:20 · KJV

Context

18

The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah:

19

And from Mattanah to Nahaliel: and from Nahaliel to Bamoth:

20

And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon. country: Heb. field Pisgah: or, the hill Jeshimon: or, the wilderness

21

And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

22

Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king's high way, until we be past thy borders.

Read Numbers 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
From Bamoth in the valley...to the top of Pisgah (פִּסְגָּה, Pisgah)—This mountain ridge overlooking the Dead Sea and Jordan Valley would become Moses' viewpoint for surveying the Promised Land before his death (Deuteronomy 34:1). Which looketh toward Jeshimon (הַיְשִׁימֹן, ha-yeshimon, "the wasteland") identifies the barren desert stretching toward Jericho.

Pisgah represents threshold vision—seeing the promise without yet possessing it. Israel camped where Moses would later stand and die. The geography prefigures coming transition: one generation's end, another's beginning. From Pisgah, faith sees what obedience will inherit.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Pisgah is part of the Abarim mountain range, with peaks rising over 2,600 feet above the Dead Sea. From this vantage, the Jordan Valley, Jericho, and Canaan's hill country were visible. Moses died on nearby Mount Nebo, making this region sacred to Israel's memory.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'Pisgah moments' has God given you—glimpses of promises not yet fully realized?
  2. How does seeing God's purposes from a distance prepare you for the obedience required to possess them?
  3. What transition is God preparing you for that requires faith to see before sight possesses?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וּמִבָּמ֗וֹת1 of 11

“And from Bamoth”

H1120

bamoth or bamoth-baal, a place east of the jordan

הַגַּיְא֙2 of 11

“in the valley”

H1516

a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)

אֲשֶׁר֙3 of 11
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בִּשְׂדֵ֣ה4 of 11

“that is in the country”

H7704

a field (as flat)

מוֹאָ֔ב5 of 11

“of Moab”

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

רֹ֖אשׁ6 of 11

“to the top”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הַפִּסְגָּ֑ה7 of 11

“of Pisgah”

H6449

pisgah, a mountain east of jordan

וְנִשְׁקָ֖פָה8 of 11

“which looketh”

H8259

properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e., (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle)

עַל9 of 11
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֥י10 of 11

“toward”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַיְשִׁימֹֽן׃11 of 11

“Jeshimon”

H3452

a desolation

Study Guide

Historical Context

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.

Theological Significance

Numbers 21:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 21:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 23:28Deuteronomy 34:1Numbers 33:49-50Numbers 22:1Deuteronomy 3:27Deuteronomy 4:49

Places in This Verse

BamothSettlement · Modern: Khirbet el Quweiqiyeh · 31.73°N, 35.74°E2 verses across 1 book
JeshimonRegion · Modern: Zahrat al Kula · 31.47°N, 35.22°E6 verses across 2 books
Moab 1Region · Modern: Kerak · 31.18°N, 35.70°E162 verses across 22 books
PisgahMountain · Modern: Rujm Siyaghah · 31.77°N, 35.73°E8 verses across 3 books
View all places in Numbers 21 →

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