Numbers 21:30
We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which reacheth unto Medeba.
Original Language Analysis
וַנִּירָ֛ם
We have shot
H3384
וַנִּירָ֛ם
We have shot
Strong's:
H3384
Word #:
1 of 11
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
אָבַ֥ד
is perished
H6
אָבַ֥ד
is perished
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
4 of 11
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
דִּיבֹ֑ן
even unto Dibon
H1769
דִּיבֹ֑ן
even unto Dibon
Strong's:
H1769
Word #:
5 of 11
dibon, the name of three places in palestine
וַנַּשִּׁ֣ים
and we have laid them waste
H8074
וַנַּשִּׁ֣ים
and we have laid them waste
Strong's:
H8074
Word #:
6 of 11
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
7 of 11
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אֲשֶׁ֖רׄ
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖רׄ
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Isaiah 15:2He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.Jeremiah 48:18Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.Jeremiah 48:22And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth-diblathaim,Joshua 13:17Heshbon, and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon, and Bamoth-baal, and Beth-baal-meon,Numbers 32:34And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,Numbers 32:3Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon,
Historical Context
Dibon (modern Dhiban) was a major Moabite city where the Mesha Stele was discovered. Medeba appears in later biblical history (Isaiah 15:2) and became a significant city in the Nabatean and Roman periods. These place names create a geographical chain marking the scope of Amorite (then Israelite) control.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God call you to appropriate and redeem cultural elements from defeated 'enemies' (sin, worldliness) for His glory?
- What 'cities' or strongholds in your life mark the extent of God's victories on your behalf?
- How can you bear witness to comprehensive transformation without triumphalism or cultural imperialism?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
We have shot at them—The victory song continues with graphic battle imagery. Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon—These cities marked the extent of Sihon's (and now Israel's) conquest. And we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which reacheth unto Medeba—Each place-name testifies to comprehensive defeat. The litany of conquered cities demonstrates totality of victory.
Israel's recitation of enemy poetry becomes appropriation—they inherit not just land but the very songs celebrating conquest of that land. This demonstrates cultural transformation through military victory: Israel doesn't just defeat enemies, they inherit and redeem enemy culture for covenantal purposes.