King James Version
What Does Numbers 21:9 Mean?
“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.”
Numbers 21:9 · KJV
Context
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.
10
And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth.
11
And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ijeabarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrising . Ijeabarim: or, heaps of Abarim
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryMoses' obedience to God's command creates one of the Old Testament's most powerful types of Christ's atoning work. The bronze serpent (Hebrew: 'nachash nechoshet', נְחַשׁ נְחֹשֶׁת) represents sin itself—the very thing killing the people—fashioned in bronze (a metal suggesting judgment) and lifted up for all to see. The simplicity of the cure is striking: 'when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.' The verb 'beheld' (Hebrew: 'nabat', נָבַט) means more than casual glancing—it suggests intentional, faith-filled looking. Those bitten by serpents had to look in faith to God's appointed means of salvation; the bronze serpent possessed no magical properties but represented God's promise. The healing was immediate and complete—'he lived'—demonstrating salvation by grace through faith alone. Jesus explicitly connects this event to His crucifixion: 'And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life' (John 3:14-15). The bronze serpent beautifully illustrates: (1) sin's deadly nature, (2) God's provision of a substitute, (3) the simplicity of faith, and (4) immediate salvation through looking to God's appointed means.
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Historical & Cultural Context
This miracle occurred during Israel's final approach to Canaan as they journeyed from Mount Hor around Edom's territory (Numbers 21:4). The people's impatient complaining against God and Moses (21:5) provoked judgment through 'fiery serpents' (21:6)—likely venomous snakes whose bites caused burning inflammation. The Hebrew 'seraphim' (שְׂרָפִים) can mean 'burning ones,' the same word used for angelic beings in Isaiah 6:2. Many died before the people confessed sin and asked Moses to intercede (21:7). God's prescribed cure—looking at a bronze serpent lifted on a pole—must have seemed strange, but obedience brought healing. Centuries later, this bronze serpent became an idol that King Hezekiah had to destroy (2 Kings 18:4), showing how easily God's gifts become idols when we worship the means rather than the Giver. The bronze serpent incident became a central type of Christ's atonement throughout Christian history.
Reflection Questions
- How does the requirement to 'look and live' illustrate salvation by faith alone without works?
- What does it mean that Christ became 'sin for us' (2 Corinthians 5:21) like the serpent representing sin?
- Why is it significant that healing required looking at the very image of what was killing them?
- How does the simplicity of the cure challenge our tendency to complicate the gospel?
- In what ways might we be tempted to make an idol of the bronze serpent—valuing religious means over God Himself?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 18 wordsהַנְּחֹ֖שֶׁת4 of 18
“of brass”
H5178copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
וַיְשִׂמֵ֖הוּ5 of 18
“and put”
H7760to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עַל6 of 18
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַנֵּ֑ס7 of 18
“it upon a pole”
H5251a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token
וְהָיָ֗ה8 of 18
H1961to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אִם9 of 18
H518used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
נָשַׁ֤ךְ10 of 18
“had bitten”
H5391to strike with a sting (as a serpent); figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan
אֶת12 of 18
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אִ֔ישׁ13 of 18
“any man”
H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וְהִבִּ֛יט14 of 18
“when he beheld”
H5027to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
הַנְּחֹ֖שֶׁת17 of 18
“of brass”
H5178copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
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 21:9 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 21:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge