King James Version

What Does Numbers 21:7 Mean?

Numbers 21:7 in the King James Version says “Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pra... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

Numbers 21:7 · KJV


Context

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 died.

7

Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

8

And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

9

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Israel confessed 'We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee' to Moses, requesting his intercession. This acknowledgment of sin against both God and His servant demonstrated genuine repentance. Their request 'pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents' sought removal of consequences, yet God's answer provided healing while serpents remained, teaching that forgiveness doesn't always eliminate earthly consequences.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This confession marked a more mature response than earlier rebellions, where Israel blamed Moses rather than acknowledging sin. Moses' immediate intercession demonstrated faithful shepherd-heart despite decades of complaints against him.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does genuine repentance acknowledge sin against both God and people we've wronged?
  2. Why might God forgive sin while allowing consequences to remain as ongoing lessons?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיָּבֹא֩1 of 21

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הָעָֽם׃2 of 21

Therefore the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֶל3 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֖ה4 of 21

from us And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ5 of 21

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

חָטָ֗אנוּ6 of 21

We have sinned

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

כִּֽי7 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

דִבַּ֤רְנוּ8 of 21

for we have spoken

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָ֔ה9 of 21

against the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וָבָ֔ךְ10 of 21
H0
וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל11 of 21

and against thee pray

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

אֶל12 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֔ה13 of 21

against the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְיָסֵ֥ר14 of 21

that he take away

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מֵֽעָלֵ֖ינוּ15 of 21
H5921

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

אֶת16 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַנָּחָ֑שׁ17 of 21

the serpents

H5175

a snake (from its hiss)

וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל18 of 21

and against thee pray

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

מֹשֶׁ֖ה19 of 21

from us And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

בְּעַ֥ד20 of 21
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

הָעָֽם׃21 of 21

Therefore the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock


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 21:7 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 21:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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