Numbers 21:24
And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּכֵּ֥הוּ
smote
H5221
וַיַּכֵּ֥הוּ
smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
1 of 18
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
And Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
And Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
2 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לְפִי
him with the edge
H6310
לְפִי
him with the edge
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
3 of 18
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
חָ֑רֶב
of the sword
H2719
חָ֑רֶב
of the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
4 of 18
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וַיִּירַ֨שׁ
and possessed
H3423
וַיִּירַ֨שׁ
and possessed
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
5 of 18
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מֵֽאַרְנֹ֗ן
from Arnon
H769
מֵֽאַרְנֹ֗ן
from Arnon
Strong's:
H769
Word #:
8 of 18
the arnon, a river east of the jordan, also its territory
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
9 of 18
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
11 of 18
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בְּנֵ֥י
even unto the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
even unto the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
12 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַמּֽוֹן׃
of Ammon
H5983
עַמּֽוֹן׃
of Ammon
Strong's:
H5983
Word #:
13 of 18
ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
גְּב֖וּל
for the border
H1366
גְּב֖וּל
for the border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
Cross References
Amos 2:9Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath.Psalms 136:19Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:Nehemiah 9:22Moreover thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.Genesis 32:22And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.Joshua 24:8And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you.
Historical Context
The Arnon-to-Jabbok territory encompassed the Moabite plateau and Gilead's southern portion. Archaeological evidence shows late Bronze Age destruction layers at several sites in this region, consistent with conquest dating. This land remained Israelite until the Assyrian invasions (8th century BC).
Questions for Reflection
- How does combining full obedience in conquest with restraint at boundaries shape your understanding of spiritual warfare?
- What areas of your life require aggressive faith, and what boundaries require respectful restraint?
- How does God's specific direction prevent spiritual conquest from becoming mere human ambition?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Israel smote him with the edge of the sword (לְפִי־חָרֶב, le-fi-charev, literally "by the mouth of the sword")—Israel's first major conquest fulfilled God's promise to give them victory. And possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok—This territory, roughly 60 miles north-south, became the inheritance of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh (Numbers 32). Even unto the children of Ammon marks Israel's restraint—they took only what God designated, respecting Ammon's boundary (Deuteronomy 2:19).
Conquest with limits demonstrates that Israel's warfare wasn't ethnic cleansing but covenantal obedience. They fought where God commanded, stopped where He restricted. This sets biblical holy war apart from human imperialism—God's boundaries, not human ambition, defined the campaign.