Numbers 14:45
Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּ֤רֶד
came down
H3381
וַיֵּ֤רֶד
came down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
1 of 10
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
הָעֲמָֽלֵקִי֙
Then the Amalekites
H6003
הָעֲמָֽלֵקִי֙
Then the Amalekites
Strong's:
H6003
Word #:
2 of 10
an amalekite (or collectively the amalekites) or descendants of amalek
וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י
and the Canaanites
H3669
וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י
and the Canaanites
Strong's:
H3669
Word #:
3 of 10
a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c
הַיֹּשֵׁ֖ב
which dwelt
H3427
הַיֹּשֵׁ֖ב
which dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בָּהָ֣ר
in that hill
H2022
בָּהָ֣ר
in that hill
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
5 of 10
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
הַה֑וּא
H1931
הַה֑וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
6 of 10
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וַיַּכּ֥וּם
and smote
H5221
וַיַּכּ֥וּם
and smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
7 of 10
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Numbers 21:3And 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.Deuteronomy 1:44And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.Judges 1:17And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah.Numbers 14:43For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the LORD, therefore the LORD will not be with you.
Historical Context
Hormah (likely modern Tell el-Meshash, 7 miles east of Beersheba) became a landmark for Israel's presumptuous defeat. The site's name commemorated both this disaster and later victory (Numbers 21:3), teaching successive generations the difference between God-blessed and self-willed warfare.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'Hormah moments' (public failures from presumption) has God used to teach you about dependence on His timing?
- How does the later conquest of Hormah under divine blessing (Numbers 21:3) illustrate God's redemption of past failures?
- What ministry initiatives should be abandoned or postponed until God's clear presence and timing are confirmed?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them—The coalition attack (וַיֵּרֶד... וַיַּכּוּם vayered... vayakum, came down... struck them) fulfilled Moses' prophecy (14:42-43). The verb smote (נָכָה nakah, to strike/defeat) describes comprehensive military disaster—not merely tactical defeat but rout demonstrating divine disfavor.
Discomfited them, even unto Hormah—The verb discomfited (וַיַּכְּתוּם vayaktum, crushed/pulverized) intensifies the defeat description, while the place name Hormah (חָרְמָה Chormah, 'destruction/devotion to destruction') became permanent memorial to presumptuous failure. Later, after 40 years wandering, Israel would legitimately conquer this same region under God's blessing (Numbers 21:1-3), demonstrating that divine timing and presence determine success, not human initiative.