Journeys in the Wilderness
Numbers 21:10-20
Num.21.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויחנו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- באבת: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 21:11 (structural): Immediate continuation of the travel narrative: from Oboth they next journeyed to Iye-abarim—same sequence of encampments.
- Numbers 33:43 (structural): The list of stations repeats Oboth and records the move from Oboth to the next encampment (Iye-abarim), linking this specific site to the itinerary tradition.
- Numbers 10:11 (verbal): Uses the recurring formula about Israel's departure—'the children of Israel journeyed'—showing this verse fits the book’s repeated travel motif.
- Exodus 16:1 (thematic): Another wilderness movement and encampment narrative (from Elim to the wilderness of Sin), illustrating the broader pattern of Israel’s episodic journeys and camps in the desert.
Alternative generated candidates
- The people of Israel set out and camped at Oboth.
- The Israelites set out and camped at Oboth.
Num.21.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מאבת: PREP
- ויחנו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בעיי: PREP
- העברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- על: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מואב: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ממזרח: PREP
- השמש: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Numbers 33:40-41 (quotation): The travel itinerary in Numbers 33 repeats the same stage: from Oboth to Ije-abarim (the wilderness before Moab toward the rising of the sun), a near-verbatim recounting of this encampment.
- Numbers 21:10-12 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the surrounding verses list successive encampments and movements of Israel in the same region, showing this verse as one stage in the route toward Moab and subsequent stops (Beer, etc.).
- Deuteronomy 2:1-2 (thematic): Deuteronomy recounts Israel’s circuitous journey through the wilderness under divine direction — thematically parallel in describing the people’s movement and God’s guidance as they approach the lands east of the Jordan (including Moab).
- Deuteronomy 2:8-9 (allusion): These verses instruct Israel about passing along the borders of the people of Esau and not harassing Moab, presupposing the same geographic approach ‘by the way of’ the wilderness before Moab that Numbers 21:11 describes.
Alternative generated candidates
- They set out from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim in the wilderness that lies before Moab, toward the rising of the sun.
- From Oboth they set out and camped at Iye-abarim in the wilderness that faces Moab, toward the sunrise.
Num.21.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- משם: PREP
- נסעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ויחנו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בנחל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,const
- זרד: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 21:10 (structural): An immediately preceding stage in the same wilderness itinerary—both verses use the common travel/camp formula (‘they set out and camped’) and locate successive encampments (Oboth → Ijje-abarim → Zered).
- Numbers 21:13 (structural): The next stage after 21:12 in the itinerary narrative (‘from thence they removed…’)—shows the same pattern of movement and naming of places in the plains of Moab (Zered → Arnon).
- Numbers 33:46–49 (structural): The summary list of Israel’s stages in Numbers 33 retells the same sequence of marches and camps in the Moab region, echoing the place-names and the formulaic movements found in Num 21:12.
- Deuteronomy 2:1–3 (thematic): Deuteronomy retells Israel’s wanderings and turning points in the same territory (wilderness of Moab), echoing the theme of successive encampments and divinely guided marches that frames Num 21:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- From there they set out and camped by the brook Zered.
- From there they journeyed and camped by the brook Zered.
Num.21.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- משם: PREP
- נסעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ויחנו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- מעבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארנון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- מגבול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האמרי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- ארנון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גבול: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- מואב: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בין: PREP
- מואב: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- האמרי: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 2:24 (verbal): Direct retelling of the same episode: Israel commanded to 'pass over the Arnon' and given Sihon's land — repeats the Arnon as the boundary between the Amorites and Moab.
- Numbers 21:14 (allusion): Immediate literary parallel in the same narrative: cites the 'Book of the Wars of the LORD' and a traditional song concerning Arnon, reinforcing the Arnon as a noteworthy boundary feature.
- Joshua 12:2 (thematic): Catalogue of conquered kings (Sihon of Heshbon) whose territory included the Arnon valley — connects the conquest associated with the Arnon-border in Num 21:13.
- Joshua 13:16–19 (structural): Description of the tribal allotments east of the Jordan (Reuben, Gad, half-Manasseh) using Arnon/Aroer as a boundary marker — echoes Num 21:13's identification of Arnon as the border of Moab.
Alternative generated candidates
- From there they set out and camped beyond the Arnon — the wilderness that issues from the border of the Amorite; for the Arnon is the border of Moab between Moab and the Amorite.
- From there they moved on and camped beyond the Arnon, in the wilderness that issues from the border of the Amorites; for the Arnon is the border of Moab between Moab and the Amorites.
Num.21.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- יאמר: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- בספר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלחמת: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- והב: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בסופה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff3f
- ואת: CONJ
- הנחלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ארנון: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 21:15 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same citation: repeats the geographic name 'Arnon' and continues the quotation attributed to the 'Book of the Wars of the LORD.'
- Deuteronomy 2:24–36 (thematic): Narrative of Israel's military movement and conquest of Sihon with Arnon presented as the border—same geography and conquest theme found in the Numbers citation.
- Deuteronomy 3:8–11 (thematic): Account of Og king of Bashan whose territory is described with reference to the Arnon and surrounding valleys, echoing the Arnon-centered boundary language.
- Joshua 12:2–3 (structural): List of defeated Transjordanian kings (Sihon and Og) that uses the Arnon/valley boundary language to delimit enemy territory, paralleling the Numbers reference to Arnon as a territorial marker.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the LORD, “Waheb in Suphah, and the brooks of Arnon.”
- Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the LORD: “Waheb in Suphah, and the valleys, the Arnon.”
Num.21.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואשד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנחלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נטה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לשבת: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- ער: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ונשען: CONJ+VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- לגבול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מואב: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- Numbers 21:13-18 (structural): Immediate context — the larger "Song of the Well" in which v.15 occurs; the passage repeatedly names Arnon and the Moab border and explains the route and place-names referenced in v.15.
- Deuteronomy 2:24-36 (verbal): Retells Israel’s march past the Arnon and interactions with the peoples east of the Jordan; uses the same geographic landmarks (Arnon, border of Moab) as markers of the route.
- Deuteronomy 3:8-10 (verbal): Describes Israel’s conquest of the lands beyond the Jordan 'from the river Arnon to Mount Hermon,' echoing the Arnon-to-border-of-Moab territorial language found in Num 21:15.
- Joshua 12:2-3 (verbal): Lists the territory of Og king of Bashan, locating it 'from Aroer, by the edge of the river Arnon' — another use of Arnon as a defining boundary in Israel’s east-Jordan geography and border descriptions.
Alternative generated candidates
- A torrent of the streams flowed — it turned to lie by Ar, and reached to the border of Moab.
- The stream of the ravines that turned toward the settlement of Ar and leaned on the border of Moab.
Num.21.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומשם: CONJ+PREP
- בארה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- הבאר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- למשה: PREP+NOUN,prop,sg,m
- אסף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואתנה: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 20:2-13 (structural): Another wilderness water episode where God instructs Moses concerning the people's lack of water (gathering the assembly and providing water through Moses/striking the rock); closely parallels function and setting of Num 21:16.
- Exodus 17:1-7 (thematic): Early Israelite complaint about lack of water at Massah and Meribah and God's provision from the rock—shares the theme of testing, complaint, and divine supply in the wilderness.
- Genesis 26:18-22 (verbal): Narrative of Isaac digging and naming wells (be'er) and disputes over them; connects by the recurring motif and terminology of wells as sources of life and covenantal provision.
- John 4:7-14 (thematic): Jesus' offer of 'living water' to the Samaritan woman echoes the promise 'I will give them water'—the well as locus of divine provision and revelation is thematically continued and reinterpreted in the New Testament.
- Psalm 78:15-16 (thematic): Liturgical recollection of God opening the rock and causing waters to flow for Israel in the wilderness; echoes Num 21:16's note of divine provision of water for the people.
Alternative generated candidates
- And from there is Beer — the well; it is the well of which the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people, and I will give them water.”
- And from there is the well—this is the well of which the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people, and I will give them water.”
Num.21.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אז: ADV
- ישיר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- השירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- באר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ענו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Exod.15:1 (verbal): Formulaic close parallel — both introduce a communal victory song with the same verb and structure (“Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song…” / “Then Israel sang this song…”), situating Num 21:17 in the tradition of post-victory canticles (Song of the Sea).
- 2 Sam.22:1 (verbal): Uses the identical formula “Then David sang this song” (וַיָּשַׁר…אֶת־הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת), a close verbal parallel that links Num 21:17 to the biblical formula introducing sung poetic compositions commemorating deliverance.
- Judg.5:1 (structural): Like Num 21:17, Judges 5 begins a communal victory song (the Song of Deborah) immediately after military deliverance. The parallel is structural/thematic: song as a liturgical response to triumph and divine aid.
- Ps.98:1 (thematic): “Sing to the LORD a new song…for he has done marvelous things” — thematically parallels Num 21:17’s motive for singing: praise and commemoration of God’s saving acts (springing up of the well and victory).
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well; sing to it!”
- Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well! Sing to it!”
Num.21.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- באר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חפרוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כרוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- נדיבי: NOUN,m,pl,cns
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- במחקק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במשענתם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m,pl
- וממדבר: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מתנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 21:25-31 (thematic): Dispute and reopening of wells (Abraham and Abimelech); both passages concern wells as contested/secured resources and leaders’ involvement in their possession.
- Genesis 26:18 (verbal): Isaac’s servants 'digged' the wells which had been stopped up—same verb/act of digging wells and reestablishing access to water.
- 2 Samuel 23:13-17 (thematic): Leaders and their companions risking themselves to obtain water for their lord; parallels the link between leadership, noble action, and procuring water.
- Isaiah 12:3 (thematic): Uses well/water imagery for salvation and provision—connects the well motif in Numbers 21 (provision in the wilderness) with broader symbolic use of wells.
Alternative generated candidates
- The princes dug the well; the nobles of the people dug it; by the direction of the leaders, with their staves — from the wilderness they brought a present.
- The princes dug the well; the nobles of the people dug it—at the direction of the lawgiver, with their staffs; from the wilderness they supplied a gift.
Num.21.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וממתנה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נחליאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומנחליאל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במות: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 21:10-20 (structural): Immediate narrative context: an itinerary of Israel's encampments after conflict with Sihon; verses 18–20 list Mattanah, Nahaliel and Bamoth as successive stations.
- Numbers 33:1-49 (structural): The fuller ‘stations of the Exodus’ list; parallels Num 21's short itinerary by giving a systematic catalogue of Israel's journey and encampments in the same region.
- Deuteronomy 2:24-37 (thematic): Retells Israel's demand of passage and the defeat of Sihon with reference to taking his land east of the Jordan — background for the encampments named in Num 21.
- Joshua 12:2-6 (thematic): Summarizes kings and territory conquered east of Jordan (including Sihon and Og), providing a later summary of the conquests tied to the same geographic sequence of camps.
Alternative generated candidates
- From Mattanah, Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth.
- From Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth.
Num.21.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומבמות: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- הגיא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בשדה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מואב: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הפסגה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ונשקפה: CONJ+VERB,nip,perf,3,f,sg
- על: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הישימן: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Numbers 21:17-19 (structural): Immediate context — the same victory-song/itinerary listing springs, heights and place-names; v.20 continues the same topographical survey.
- Psalm 121:1 (thematic): Both verses use the imagery of looking from hills/high places as a vantage point — Psalm 121:1 ('I lift up my eyes to the hills') echoes the motif of surveying the land from heights.
- Habakkuk 2:1 (thematic): Habakkuk’s language of standing at a watchtower to look out (’I will take my stand at my watchpost…’) parallels the lookout/observation function of high peaks in Num 21:20.
- Isaiah 2:2 (cf. Micah 4:1) (thematic): Isaiah/Micah depict the mountain as an elevated, visionary place where peoples gather or look, resonating with the theme of high places as vantage points and with later 'daughter of Zion' traditions.
- Psalm 48:2 (thematic): Describes Zion’s lofty, conspicuous position ('beautiful in elevation… Mount Zion'), comparable to Num 21:20’s emphasis on hilltops and visible sites in the landscape.
Alternative generated candidates
- And from Bamoth in the valley that is in the field of Moab, to the head of the summit that looks toward the Wilderness (Jeshimon).
- And from Bamoth in the valley that is in the plain of Moab to the head of the summit that looks out over the wilderness.
The Israelites moved on and encamped at Oboth.
They moved on from Oboth and camped at Iye‑Abarim in the wilderness that faces Moab to the east.
From there they journeyed and camped by the brook Zered.
From there they set out and camped beyond the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that comes out of the border of the Amorite; for Arnon is the border of Moab between Moab and the Amorite.
Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the LORD, “Waheb in Suphah, and the ravines—the Arnon.”
The torrent of the ravines that flow down to the settlement of Ar and that reach to the border of Moab.
From there is Beer—that well which the LORD spoke of to Moses, saying, “Gather the people, and I will give them water.”
Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well! Sing to it!”
The princes dug the well; the nobles of the people dug it— with their scepters and with their staffs.
From Mattan came Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel came Bamoth. And from Bamoth in the valley, which is in the field of Moab, the top of the heights that look toward the desert.