The Meaning of Numbers 21:9 Explained

Numbers 21:9

KJV: And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

YLT: And Moses maketh a serpent of brass, and setteth it on the ensign, and it hath been, if the serpent hath bitten any man, and he hath looked expectingly unto the serpent of brass -- he hath lived.

Darby: And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole; and it came to pass, if a serpent had bitten any man, and he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

ASV: And Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it upon the standard: and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived.

Discover Numbers 21:9

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Numbers 21:9?

MEANING: What does Numbers 21:9 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Numbers 21:9 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Numbers 21:9?

What is the context of Numbers 21:9?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

What does Numbers 21:9 Mean?

Study Notes

serpent
. The serpent is a symbol of sin judged; brass speaks of the divine judgment, as in the brazen altar See Scofield " Exodus 27:1 ", note (2) and self-judgment, as in the laver of brass. The brazen serpent is a type of Christ "made sin for us"; John 3:14 ; John 3:15 ; 2 Corinthians 5:21 in bearing our judgment. Historically, the moment is indicated in the cry: "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" Matthew 27:46 .

And the Lord God said

The Adamic Covenant conditions the life of fallen man--conditions which must remain till, in the kingdom age, "the creation also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God" Romans 8:21 . The elements of the Adamic Covenant are:

(1) The serpent, Satan's tool, is cursed ( Genesis 3:14 ), and becomes God's illustration in nature of the effects of sin--from the most beautiful and subtle of creatures to a loathsome reptile! The deepest mystery of the atonement is intimated here. Christ, "made sin for us," in bearing our judgment, is typified by the brazen serpent; Numbers 21:5-9 ; John 3:14 ; 2 Corinthians 5:21 . Brass speaks of judgment--in the brazen altar, of God's judgment, and in the laver, of self-judgment.

(2) The first promise of a Redeemer ( Genesis 3:15 ). Here begins the "Highway of the Seed," Abel, Seth, Noah Genesis 6:8-10 , Shem Genesis 9:26 ; Genesis 9:27 Abraham Genesis 12:1-4 , Isaac Genesis 17:19-21 Jacob Genesis 28:10-14 , Judah Genesis 49:10 , David 2 Samuel 7:5-17 Immanuel-Christ; Isaiah 7:9-14 ; Matthew 1:1 ; Matthew 1:20-23 ; 1 John 3:8 ; John 12:31 .

(3) The changed state of the woman ( Genesis 3:16 ). In three particulars:

(a) Multiplied conception; (b) motherhood linked with sorrow; (c) the headship of the man (cf) Genesis 1:26 ; Genesis 1:27 The entrance of sin, which is disorder, makes necessary a headship, and it is vested in man; 1 Timothy 2:11-14 ; Ephesians 5:22-25 ; 1 Corinthians 11:7-9 .

(4) The earth cursed ( Genesis 3:17 ) for man's sake. It is better for fallen man to battle with a reluctant earth than to live without toil.

(5) The inevitable sorrow of life ( Genesis 3:17 ).

(6) The light occupation of Eden Genesis 2:15 changed to burdensome labour Genesis 3:18 ; Genesis 3:19 .

(7) Physical death Genesis 3:19 ; Romans 5:12-21 , See "Death (spiritual)" Genesis 2:17 . (See Scofield " Ephesians 2:5 ") .

See for the other covenants:

EDENIC (See Scofield " Genesis 1:28 ")

NOAHIC (See Scofield " Genesis 9:1 ")

ABRAHAMIC (See Scofield " Genesis 15:18 ")

MOSAIC (See Scofield " Exodus 19:25 ")

PALESTINIAN (See Scofield " Deuteronomy 30:3 ")

DAVIDIC (See Scofield " 2 Samuel 7:16 ")

NEW (See Scofield " Hebrews 8:8 ")

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 21:9 mean?

So made Moses a serpent bronze and put it on a pole so it was if had bitten a serpent - anyone and when he looked at unto the serpent bronze and he lived

וַיַּ֤עַשׂ מֹשֶׁה֙ נְחַ֣שׁ נְחֹ֔שֶׁת וַיְשִׂמֵ֖הוּ עַל־ הַנֵּ֑ס וְהָיָ֗ה אִם־ נָשַׁ֤ךְ הַנָּחָשׁ֙ אֶת־ אִ֔ישׁ וְהִבִּ֛יט אֶל־ נְחַ֥שׁ הַנְּחֹ֖שֶׁת וָחָֽי

וַיַּ֤עַשׂ	So made
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular Root: עָשָׂה Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
מֹשֶׁה֙	Moses
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular Root: מֹשֶׁה Sense: the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus.
נְחַ֣שׁ	a serpent
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct Root: נָחָשׁ Sense: serpent, snake.
נְחֹ֔שֶׁת	bronze
Parse: Noun, feminine singular Root: נְחֹשֶׁת Sense: copper, bronze.
וַיְשִׂמֵ֖הוּ	and put it
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine singular Root: שׂוּמָה Sense: to put, place, set, appoint, make.
הַנֵּ֑ס	a pole
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular Root: נֵס Sense: something lifted up, standard, signal, signal pole, ensign, banner, sign, sail.
וְהָיָ֗ה	so it was
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular Root: אֶהְיֶה Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
נָשַׁ֤ךְ	had bitten
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular Root: נָשַׁךְ Sense: to bite.
הַנָּחָשׁ֙	a serpent
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular Root: נָחָשׁ Sense: serpent, snake.
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.
אִ֔ישׁ	anyone
Parse: Noun, masculine singular Root: אִישׁ Sense: man.
וְהִבִּ֛יט	and when he looked at
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular Root: נָבַט Sense: to look, regard.
אֶל־	unto
Parse: Preposition Root: אֶל Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
נְחַ֥שׁ	the serpent
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct Root: נָחָשׁ Sense: serpent, snake.
הַנְּחֹ֖שֶׁת	bronze
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular Root: נְחֹשֶׁת Sense: copper, bronze.
וָחָֽי	and he lived
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular Root: חָיָה Sense: to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health.

What are the major concepts related to Numbers 21:9?

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Similar Scriptures for Numbers 21:9

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