Bible Strands
Numbers 21:27
That is why the poets say: “Come to Heshbon, let it be rebuilt; let the city of Sihon be restored.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator reports a proverb quoted by unnamed poets immediately after detailing Israel's defeat of Sihon and his prior seizure of Moabite lands.
The words — The Hebrew מֹשְׁלִים (moshelim) means "those who speak proverbs," while the verbs בֹּאוּ (bo'u) and תִּבָּנֶה (tibbanah) literally command "come" and declare "let it be rebuilt."
The thread — This taunt functions like the mockery songs in Isaiah 14:4 and Habakkuk 2:6, while the surrounding narrative previously cited the Book of the Wars of the LORD in Numbers 21:14 for a different geographical record.
Why it lands — The passage records a victorious proclamation demanding the reconstruction of a captured capital, showing how ancient military campaigns used poetic taunts to announce territorial control.
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
Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared:
Cross-references
- Numbers 21:14 Therefore it is stated in the Book of the Wars of the LORD: “Waheb in Suphah and the wadis of the Arnon,
- Isaiah 14:4 you will sing this song of contempt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, and how his fury has ended!
- Habakkuk 2:6 Will not all of these take up a taunt against him, speaking with mockery and derision: ‘Woe to him who amasses what is not his and makes himself rich with many loans! How long will this go on?’