Numbers 21:10-20

Why does the itinerary include remembered words and a well song?

Berean Standard Bible

10 Then the Israelites set out and camped at Oboth. 11 They journeyed from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim in the wilderness opposite Moab to the east. 12 From there they set out and camped in the Valley of Zered. 13 From there they moved on and camped on the other side of the Arnon, in the wilderness that extends into the Amorite territory. Now the Arnon is the border between the Moabites and the Amorites. 14 Therefore it is stated in the Book of the Wars of the LORD: “Waheb in Suphah and the wadis of the Arnon, 15 even the slopes of the wadis that extend to the site of Ar and lie along the border of Moab.” 16 From there they went on to Beer, the well where the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people so that I may give them water.” 17 Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well, all of you sing to it! 18 The princes dug the well; the nobles of the people hollowed it out with their scepters and with their staffs.” From the wilderness the Israelites went on to Mattanah, 19 and from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth, 20 and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland.

What is the context?

The journey moves through named camps and borders toward Moab. A passage from the Book of the Wars of the Lord is quoted in connection with the Arnon region.

At Beer the Lord tells Moses to assemble the people so He may give water, and Israel sings of the well dug by its leaders. The itinerary preserves remembrance and praise alongside movement from place to place. Water is now received in a scene of song rather than the complaints just narrated.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley understands the cited book as a separate poem or account of the Lord’s victories. The USCCB notes also discuss the remembered collection and acknowledge uncertainty about some of its place names. The quotation is part of Numbers; a reconstruction of the entire collection or every modern location is not supplied by this brief excerpt.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

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