Numbers 21:18
The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah:
Original Language Analysis
חֲפָר֣וּהָ
digged
H2658
חֲפָר֣וּהָ
digged
Strong's:
H2658
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore
כָּר֙וּהָ֙
digged
H3738
כָּר֙וּהָ֙
digged
Strong's:
H3738
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot; generally, to bore or open
נְדִיבֵ֣י
the nobles
H5081
נְדִיבֵ֣י
the nobles
Strong's:
H5081
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, voluntary, i.e., generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)
הָעָ֔ם
of the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
6 of 10
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בִּמְחֹקֵ֖ק
it by the direction of the lawgiver
H2710
בִּמְחֹקֵ֖ק
it by the direction of the lawgiver
Strong's:
H2710
Word #:
7 of 10
properly, to hack, i.e., engrave (judges 5:14, to be a scribe simply); by implication, to enact (laws being cut in stone or metal tablets in primitive
בְּמִשְׁעֲנֹתָ֑ם
with their staves
H4938
בְּמִשְׁעֲנֹתָ֑ם
with their staves
Strong's:
H4938
Word #:
8 of 10
support (abstractly), i.e., (figuratively) sustenance or (concretely) a walking-stick
Historical Context
This incident at Beer ('well') provides positive contrast to earlier water complaints. The well's location 'in the wilderness' where no natural water existed emphasizes God's miraculous provision. The 'scepter' and 'staves' were symbols of authority, making their use for digging significant—leaders served rather than merely commanded. This prefigures Christ who came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God combine sovereign provision with calling His people to active participation in obtaining His blessings?
- What does leaders using their authority symbols for servant-work teach about Christian leadership?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The song celebrating the well 'which the princes digged, which the nobles of the people digged, with the scepter, and with their staves' shows joyful cooperation in obtaining God's provision. The imagery of leaders digging with their official staffs (normally not used for manual labor) suggests that even those in authority humble themselves for the community's benefit. The well represents God's provision through human instrumentality—God provides water, but people must dig to access it. This balances divine sovereignty with human responsibility.