Numbers 21:1
And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁמַ֞ע
heard
H8085
וַיִּשְׁמַ֞ע
heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 16
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
הַכְּנַֽעֲנִ֤י
the Canaanite
H3669
הַכְּנַֽעֲנִ֤י
the Canaanite
Strong's:
H3669
Word #:
2 of 16
a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c
יֹשֵׁ֣ב
which dwelt
H3427
יֹשֵׁ֣ב
which dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
הַנֶּ֔גֶב
in the south
H5045
הַנֶּ֔גֶב
in the south
Strong's:
H5045
Word #:
6 of 16
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
against Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
against Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
9 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
דֶּ֖רֶךְ
by the way
H1870
דֶּ֖רֶךְ
by the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
10 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
against Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
against Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
13 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Cross References
Numbers 33:40And king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.Judges 1:16And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.Joshua 12:14The king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one;
Historical Context
This incident occurred as Israel journeyed toward Canaan from the south. After years of wandering, they were again approaching the Promised Land, now facing resistance from its inhabitants. Arad's attack tested whether this generation had learned faith that the previous generation lacked.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond to opposition when pursuing what God has promised?
- What 'vows' or commitments help you seek God's intervention rather than rely solely on human resources?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
King Arad attacked Israel and took prisoners. This unprovoked assault demonstrated that Israel faced genuine military threats requiring divine intervention. God's people experience real opposition; faith doesn't eliminate conflict but provides divine resource for victory. Israel's vow (verse 2) showed they learned to seek God's help rather than trust human strength.