Bible Strands
Numbers 21:1
When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked Israel and captured some prisoners.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Canaanite king of Arad, residing in the Negev, learns of Israel’s approach along the Atharim road and launches a preemptive strike, taking captives. This occurs as Israel travels through the wilderness, prompting the subsequent vow in Numbers 21:2.
The words — The verb וַ/יִּשְמַ֞ע (va/i.yish.Ma') translates literally as "and he heard," marking the catalyst for the king’s hostile response. The phrase יֹשֵׁב הַ/נֶּ֔גֶב (yo.Shev ha./Ne.gev) identifies the monarch’s base as "who dwelt in the Negev."
The thread — The king’s awareness of Israel’s movement reappears in Numbers 33:40, while Joshua 12:14 records his later defeat as the king of Arad. Judges 1:16 provides geographic context for the region’s inhabitants.
Why it lands — The verse establishes that human hostility arises from awareness of divine movement, requiring a decisive response rather than passive observation. It demands recognition that spiritual progress provokes opposition and necessitates concrete action.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Numbers 33:40 Now the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev in the land of Canaan, heard that the Israelites were coming.
- Judges 1:16 Now the descendants of Moses’ father-in-law, the Kenite, went up with the men of Judah from the City of Palms to the Wilderness of Judah in the Negev near Arad. They went to live among the people.
- Joshua 12:14 the king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one;
- Numbers 13:21 So they went up and spied out the land from the Wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo-hamath.
- Numbers 14:45 Then the Amalekites and Canaanites who lived in that part of the hill country came down, attacked them, and routed them all the way to Hormah.
- Deuteronomy 2:32 So Sihon and his whole army came out for battle against us at Jahaz.
- Joshua 7:5 And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them, chasing them from the gate as far as the quarries and striking them down on the slopes. So the hearts of the people melted and became like water.
- Joshua 11:19 No city made peace with the Israelites except the Hivites living in Gibeon; all others were taken in battle.
- Psalms 44:3 For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.