Numbers 21:6 (KJV)

What does Numbers 21:6 mean?

Numbers 21:6 says that the LORD sent poisonous, burning snakes among the Israelites, and many people were bitten and died as a result. This happened as a direct response to the people's complaints and lack of trust during their journey in the wilderness.

The verse comes at a moment when the Israelites, led by Moses, were traveling through the desert and had spoken against God and Moses. In response, God (referred to here as the LORD) sent these "fiery serpents" as a form of judgment or consequence. The word "fiery" points to the burning pain of the bites, and the event sets up the story of the bronze serpent in the following verses.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 21:6

• "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that it is God Himself acting in this situation, not just a general force or fate.
• "fiery" (שָּׂרָף, saraph): This word means "burning" and is used here to describe the serpents, likely referring to the intense burning sensation caused by their venom rather than their appearance.
• "serpents" (נָחָשׁ, nachash): This is the general Hebrew word for snakes, making it clear that real, physical snakes are meant, not a metaphor.
• "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach): This verb means to send out or dispatch, showing that the arrival of the snakes was a deliberate act by God.

Why Numbers 21:6 matters

• Numbers 21:6 clarifies that the suffering of the Israelites was not random but was a direct result of their actions and attitudes, showing a cause-and-effect relationship in the narrative.
• The verse sets the stage for the story of the bronze serpent, which becomes a significant symbol later in the Bible, especially in the New Testament.
• Understanding the specific words used, like "fiery" and "sent," helps readers see the seriousness of the event and the intentionality behind it, rather than viewing it as just an accident or natural disaster.