And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

NUMBERS 21:8KJV
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Numbers 21:8 (KJV)

What does Numbers 21:8 mean?

Numbers 21:8 describes God instructing Moses to make a "fiery serpent" and place it on a pole so that anyone bitten by a snake could look at it and be healed. This verse shows a specific way God provided for the Israelites to be saved from deadly snake bites during their journey in the wilderness.

In this scene, the LORD speaks directly to Moses after many Israelites have been bitten by poisonous snakes as a consequence of their complaints. God tells Moses to create a serpent—often understood as made of bronze—and set it high on a pole. Anyone who had been bitten could look at this serpent and would not die, showing a moment where looking in faith brought physical healing.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 21:8

  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, emphasizing that the command comes directly from Israel’s covenant God.
  • "Serpent" (שָּׂרָף, saraph): This word means "fiery serpent" or "burning one," likely referring to the burning sensation of the bite or the vivid appearance of the snake.
  • "Pole" (נֵס, nes): This term means a "banner" or "signal pole," suggesting the serpent was lifted high for all to see, making the act of looking at it a public and deliberate choice.
  • "Looketh" (רָאָה, ra’ah): This word means "to see" or "to look at," but in this context, it carries the sense of looking with intent or trust, not just a casual glance.

Why Numbers 21:8 matters

  • Numbers 21:8 clarifies that healing came not from the serpent itself, but from obeying God’s specific instruction to look at it, highlighting the importance of trust in God’s word.
  • The verse connects to the wider story of the Israelites’ journey, showing both the consequences of their actions and God’s willingness to provide a way of rescue.
  • This moment is referenced later in the Bible (such as in John 3:14), giving it lasting significance as a symbol of faith and deliverance.

Where else these words appear

“serpent” Hebrew H8314 · used in 7 verses

  • Numbers 21:6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
  • Isaiah 6:2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
  • Isaiah 14:29 Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.

“bitten” Hebrew H5391 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 49:17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
  • Deuteronomy 23:20 Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
  • Jeremiah 8:17 For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.

“pole” Hebrew H5251 · used in 20 verses

  • Numbers 21:9 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.
  • Isaiah 13:2 Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
  • Isaiah 62:10 Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.

“live” Hebrew H2425 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
  • Leviticus 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
  • Nehemiah 6:11 And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.