Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” New Living Translation Then the LORD told him, “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!” English Standard Version And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” Berean Standard Bible Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” King James Bible And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. New King James Version Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” New American Standard Bible Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and put it on a flag pole; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, and looks at it, will live.” NASB 1995 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live.” NASB 1977 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he shall live.” Legacy Standard Bible Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a standard; and it will be that everyone who is bitten and looks at it, will live.” Amplified Bible Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent [of bronze] and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten will live when he looks at it.” Christian Standard Bible Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake image and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will recover.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake image and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will recover.” American Standard Version And Jehovah said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a standard: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live. Contemporary English Version and the LORD answered, "Make a snake out of bronze and place it on top of a pole. Anyone who gets bitten can look at the snake and be saved from death." English Revised Version And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a standard: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live. GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake, and put it on a pole. Anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." Good News Translation Then the LORD told Moses to make a metal snake and put it on a pole, so that anyone who was bitten could look at it and be healed. International Standard Version Then the LORD instructed Moses, "Make a poisonous serpent out of brass and fasten it to a pole. Anyone who has been bitten and who looks at it will live." Majority Standard Bible Then the LORD said to Moses, ?Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.? NET Bible The LORD said to Moses, "Make a poisonous snake and set it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live." New Heart English Bible The LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard: and it shall happen, that everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live." Webster's Bible Translation And the LORD said to Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. World English Bible Yahweh said to Moses, “Make a venomous snake, and set it on a pole. It shall happen that everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd YHWH says to Moses, “Make a burning [serpent] for yourself, and set it on an ensign; and it has been, everyone who is bitten and has seen it—he has lived.” Young's Literal Translation And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Make for thee a burning serpent, and set it on an ensign; and it hath been, every one who is bitten and hath seen it -- he hath lived. Smith's Literal Translation And Jehovah will say to Moses, Make to thee a burning, and put it up for a signal: and it was every one being bitten, and he saw it and lived. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Lord said to him: Make brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: whosoever being struck shall look on it, shall live. Catholic Public Domain Version And the Lord said to him: “Make a bronze serpent, and place it as a sign. Whoever, having been struck, gazes upon it, shall live.” New American Bible and the LORD said to Moses: Make a seraph and mount it on a pole, and everyone who has been bitten will look at it and recover. New Revised Standard Version And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the LORD said to Moses, Make a fiery serpent of brass, and set it upon a pole; and it shall come to pass that every one who is bitten by a serpent, when he looks upon it, shall live. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And LORD JEHOVAH said to Moshe: “Make for yourself a destructive serpent of brass, and set it for a sign, and everyone whom a Serpent will bite shall look at it and he shall live.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole; and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Moses prayed to the Lord for the people; and the Lord said to Moses, Make thee a serpent, and put it on a signal-staff; and it shall come to pass that whenever a serpent shall bite a man, every one so bitten that looks upon it shall live. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Bronze Serpent…7Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people. 8Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” 9So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live.… Cross References John 3:14-15 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, / that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. 2 Kings 18:4 He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it. Isaiah 45:22 Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. John 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.” 1 Corinthians 10:9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. Isaiah 11:10 On that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him, and His place of rest will be glorious. John 6:40 For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 8:28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me. Isaiah 53:5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. 2 Corinthians 5:21 God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Psalm 107:20 He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit. Isaiah 52:13 Behold, My Servant will prosper; He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Romans 8:3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Treasury of Scripture And the LORD said to Moses, Make you a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looks on it, shall live. Psalm 106:43-45 Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity… Psalm 145:8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. Jump to Previous Bitten Burning Ensign Image Live Moses Pole Rod Serpent Snake Snakes Standard WoundedJump to Next Bitten Burning Ensign Image Live Moses Pole Rod Serpent Snake Snakes Standard WoundedNumbers 21 1. Israel destroys the Canaanites at Hormah4. The people murmuring are plagued with fiery serpents 7. They repenting are healed by a bronze serpent 10. Various journeys of the Israelites 21. Sihon is overcome 33. And Og Then the LORD said to Moses This phrase indicates direct divine communication, a common occurrence in the Pentateuch where God speaks to Moses as the leader of Israel. It underscores Moses' role as a mediator between God and the Israelites. This divine instruction follows a period of rebellion and complaint by the Israelites, highlighting God's continued guidance despite their disobedience. Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole When anyone who is bitten looks at it he will live Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who provides a solution to the Israelites' plight. 2. Moses The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to mediate His instructions and lead the people. 3. Fiery Serpent A bronze serpent created by Moses as instructed by God, symbolizing both judgment and healing. 4. The Israelites The people of God, who were suffering from snake bites due to their complaints and rebellion. 5. The Wilderness The setting of this event, where the Israelites wandered and faced various trials. Teaching Points Faith and ObedienceThe act of looking at the bronze serpent required faith and obedience. It was not the serpent itself that healed, but the trust in God's promise. Similarly, our faith in Christ's work on the cross is what brings spiritual healing. God's Provision in Judgment Even in judgment, God provides a means of salvation. The bronze serpent was a symbol of the very thing that caused their suffering, yet it became the means of their healing. This points to Christ, who became sin for us to provide salvation. The Danger of Idolatry The bronze serpent later became an idol for the Israelites, showing how easily we can turn God's provisions into objects of worship. We must guard against allowing symbols of faith to replace our faith in God Himself. The Simplicity of Salvation The instruction to simply "look" and live underscores the simplicity of the gospel message. Salvation is not about complex rituals but about faith in God's provision through Christ. The Necessity of Repentance The Israelites' need to look at the serpent was a call to acknowledge their sin and turn back to God. Repentance is a crucial step in experiencing God's healing and restoration.(8) Make thee a fiery serpent.--The single Hebrew word which is here employed is saraph (a seraph), or burning one, as in Numbers 21:6, where the word nehashim--serpents--occurs also. The meaning is explained in the following verse, in which it is said that Moses made "a serpent of brass." Set it upon a pole.--Better, a standard. The LXX. have ???????, the Vulgate signum. The Hebrew word (nes) is the same which occurs in Exodus 17:15, "Jehovah-nissi"--i.e., Jehovah is my standard or banner. Verse 8. - Make thee a fiery serpent. A saraph. The Septuagint, not understanding the meaning of saraph, has simply ὄφιν (cf. John 3:14). Set it upon a pole. גֵם Septuagint σήμειον. Vulgate, signum. The same word is better translated "ensign" in such passages as Isaiah 11:10; "banner" in such as Psalm 60:4; "standard" in such as Jeremiah 51:27. The "pole" may have been the tallest and most conspicuous of those military standards which were planted (probably on some elevation) as rallying points for the various camps; or it may have been one loftier still, made for the occasion.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then the LORDיְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel said וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Moses, מֹשֶׁ֗ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver “Make עֲשֵׂ֤ה (‘ă·śêh) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make a snake שָׂרָ֔ף (śā·rāp̄) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8314: Burning, poisonous, a saraph, symbolical creature and mount וְשִׂ֥ים (wə·śîm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set it אֹת֖וֹ (’ō·ṯōw) Direct object marker | third person masculine singular Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against a pole. נֵ֑ס (nês) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5251: A flag, a sail, a flagstaff, a signal, a token When anyone כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every who is bitten הַנָּשׁ֔וּךְ (han·nā·šūḵ) Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular Strong's 5391: To strike with a, sting, to oppress with usury looks at it, וְרָאָ֥ה (wə·rā·’āh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see he will live.” וָחָֽי׃ (wā·ḥāy) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2425: To live, to revive Links Numbers 21:8 NIVNumbers 21:8 NLT Numbers 21:8 ESV Numbers 21:8 NASB Numbers 21:8 KJV Numbers 21:8 BibleApps.com Numbers 21:8 Biblia Paralela Numbers 21:8 Chinese Bible Numbers 21:8 French Bible Numbers 21:8 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 21:8 Yahweh said to Moses Make you (Nu Num.) |
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