Numbers 21:15 (KJV)

What does Numbers 21:15 mean?

Numbers 21:15 describes a stream or brook that flows down toward the city of Ar and runs along the border of Moab. The verse is part of a description of the Israelites’ journey and the land features they encountered as they traveled near Moab.

This verse is found in a section where Moses is recounting the route the Israelites took as they moved through the wilderness. The mention of the stream, the city of Ar, and the border of Moab helps to pinpoint their location and the boundaries they were approaching. It gives a sense of the geography and the specific places important to the Israelites’ journey.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 21:15

• "stream" (נַחַל, nachal): This word often means a wadi or seasonal brook, not a large river. It suggests a watercourse that might only flow during certain times of the year, which fits the dry landscape of the region.
• "brooks" (נַחַל, nachal): The same word is used again, emphasizing the presence of these water channels in the area.
• "Ar" (עָר, Ar): This is the name of a Moabite city. Mentioning it helps identify the specific border area being described.
• "border" (גְּבוּל, gevul): This word refers to a boundary or limit, marking the edge of Moab’s territory, which was significant for the Israelites as they traveled.

Why Numbers 21:15 matters

• This verse helps clarify the physical route the Israelites took and the natural boundaries they encountered, which is important for understanding their journey and the challenges they faced.
• By mentioning Ar and the border of Moab, the verse sets up the context for later interactions between Israel and Moab, which become significant in the following chapters.
• The detail about the stream and brooks shows the importance of water sources in the wilderness and how these features shaped the Israelites’ path.