The Meaning of Numbers 21:16 Explained

Numbers 21:16

KJV: And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.

YLT: And from thence they journeyed to Beer; it is the well concerning which Jehovah said to Moses, 'Gather the people, and I give to them -- water.'

Darby: And from thence to Beer: that is the well of which Jehovah spoke to Moses, Assemble the people, and I will give them water.

ASV: And from thence they journeyed to Beer: that is the well whereof Jehovah said unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And from thence [they went] to Beer:  that [is] the well  whereof the LORD  spake  unto Moses,  Gather  the people  together,  and I will give  them water. 

What does Numbers 21:16 Mean?

Context Summary

Numbers 21:1-20 - The Brazen Serpent Journeying To Pisgah
It often falls to our lot to compass the land of Edom! It is bad enough to have to fight the desert tribes, but it is harder to traverse the long circuitous route, which a little kindness on our brother's part might have rendered needless. What discouragement, heart-break and fainting we cause one another!
The story of the brazen serpent was quoted by our Lord to Nicodemus, John 3:14. It exemplifies the law that like cures like. Our Lord came in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, and as such was nailed to the tree, that the progress of sin and death might be arrested. Whosoever directs to Him the look of faith shall have everlasting life.
Near the pole-foot sprang up the brook, Numbers 21:17-18. We are reminded of the connection between the Cross and Pentecost. Spring up, O well of the Holy Spirit, in our hearts, and churches, and schools! The living water is within; summon it! [source]

Chapter Summary: Numbers 21

1  Israel destroys the Canaanites at Hormah
4  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

What do the individual words in Numbers 21:16 mean?

And from there [they went] to Beer it [is] the well where said Yahweh to Moses Gather together - the people and I will give them water -
וּמִשָּׁ֖ם בְּאֵ֑רָה הִ֣וא הַבְּאֵ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָמַ֤ר יְהוָה֙ לְמֹשֶׁ֔ה אֱסֹף֙ אֶת־ הָעָ֔ם וְאֶתְּנָ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם מָֽיִם ס

וּמִשָּׁ֖ם  And  from  there 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m, Adverb
Root: שָׁם  
Sense: there, thither.
בְּאֵ֑רָה  [they  went]  to  Beer 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: בְּאֵר  
Sense: an oasis rest in desert during the Exodus.
הִ֣וא  it  [is] 
Parse: Pronoun, third person feminine singular
Root: הוּא 
Sense: he, she, it.
הַבְּאֵ֗ר  the  well 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: בְּאֵר  
Sense: well, pit, spring.
אֲשֶׁ֨ר  where 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
אָמַ֤ר  said 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
יְהוָה֙  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
לְמֹשֶׁ֔ה  to  Moses 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֹשֶׁה  
Sense: the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus.
אֱסֹף֙  Gather  together 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: אָסַף 
Sense: to gather, receive, remove, gather in.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הָעָ֔ם  the  people 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
וְאֶתְּנָ֥ה  and  I  will  give 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
מָֽיִם  water 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.
ס  - 
Parse: Punctuation