The Meaning of Numbers 21:15 Explained

Numbers 21:15

KJV: And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab.

YLT: And the spring of the brooks, Which turned aside to the dwelling of Ar, And hath leaned to the border of Moab.'

Darby: And the stream of the brooks which turneth to the dwelling of Ar, And inclineth toward the border of Moab.

ASV: And the slope of the valleys That inclineth toward the dwelling of Ar, And leaneth upon the border of Moab.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And at the stream  of the brooks  that goeth down  to the dwelling  of Ar,  and lieth  upon the border  of Moab. 

What does Numbers 21:15 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 21:15 mean?

and the slope of the brooks that reaches to the dwelling of Ar and lies on the border of Moab
וְאֶ֙שֶׁד֙ הַנְּחָלִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָטָ֖ה לְשֶׁ֣בֶת עָ֑ר וְנִשְׁעַ֖ן לִגְב֥וּל מוֹאָֽב

וְאֶ֙שֶׁד֙  and  the  slope 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, common singular construct
Root: אֶשֶׁד  
Sense: bottom, slope, foundation, lower part.
הַנְּחָלִ֔ים  of  the  brooks 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: נַחַל 
Sense: torrent, valley, wadi, torrent-valley.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
נָטָ֖ה  reaches 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָטָה 
Sense: to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow.
לְשֶׁ֣בֶת  to  the  dwelling 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
עָ֑ר  of  Ar 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: עָר  
Sense: a city of Moab located south of the Arnon river; perhaps the capital.
וְנִשְׁעַ֖ן  and  lies 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Nifal, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁעַן  
Sense: to lean on, trust in, support.
לִגְב֥וּל  on  the  border 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: גְּבוּל  
Sense: border, territory.
מוֹאָֽב  of  Moab 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: מֹואָב 
Sense: a son of Lot by his eldest daughter.