Numbers 21:28 - for a fire has gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon. It has devoured Ar of Moab, The lords of the high places of the Arnon.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Numbers 21:28" mean?
Numbers 21:28 is part of a song celebrating the Israelite victory over the Amorite king Sihon. To understand the meaning, let's break it down:
"For a fire has gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon..." Heshbon was Sihon's capital city. "Fire" and "flame" are metaphors for warfare and destruction. This line suggests that Sihon's military power, once strong and radiating from his capital, has now become destructive to others. It's an ironic image: the power meant to protect is now causing devastation.
"It has devoured Ar of Moab..." Ar was a major city in Moab. Moab was a kingdom neighboring the Amorites (and later the Israelites). This line indicates that Sihon's military campaigns had extended to Moab, specifically to the city of Ar, which was "devoured" (conquered or severely damaged) by Sihon.
"The lords of the high places of the Arnon..." The Arnon was a river that formed the border between the Amorites and Moabites. "High places" were often sites of pagan worship. "Lords of the high places" likely refers to important people or even deities associated with Moabite religion or leadership in the region along the Arnon. Sihon had defeated these leaders or taken control of these religiously significant sites.
Overall Meaning:
The verse is a boastful poetic statement about the power and conquests of King Sihon before the Israelites defeated him. It's saying:
"Sihon's military might (the 'fire' from Heshbon) has been so powerful that it has conquered Moabite territory, even threatening their important cities (like Ar) and subjugating their leaders or religious figures along the Arnon River."
Significance in the Context of Numbers 21:
The Israelites were about to engage Sihon in battle. This song, or poem, emphasizes Sihon's previous victories to illustrate the formidable enemy the Israelites were facing. By defeating Sihon, the Israelites would be conquering a king who had previously been successful in war, thus highlighting the power of God in granting the Israelites victory. The song is therefore a prelude to a greater demonstration of God's power on behalf of the Israelites.
Numbers 21:28 - for a fire has gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon. It has devoured Ar of Moab, The lords of the high places of the Arnon.
What does "Numbers 21:28" mean?
Numbers 21:28 is part of a song celebrating the Israelite victory over the Amorite king Sihon. To understand the meaning, let's break it down:
"For a fire has gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon..." Heshbon was Sihon's capital city. "Fire" and "flame" are metaphors for warfare and destruction. This line suggests that Sihon's military power, once strong and radiating from his capital, has now become destructive to others. It's an ironic image: the power meant to protect is now causing devastation.
"It has devoured Ar of Moab..." Ar was a major city in Moab. Moab was a kingdom neighboring the Amorites (and later the Israelites). This line indicates that Sihon's military campaigns had extended to Moab, specifically to the city of Ar, which was "devoured" (conquered or severely damaged) by Sihon.
"The lords of the high places of the Arnon..." The Arnon was a river that formed the border between the Amorites and Moabites. "High places" were often sites of pagan worship. "Lords of the high places" likely refers to important people or even deities associated with Moabite religion or leadership in the region along the Arnon. Sihon had defeated these leaders or taken control of these religiously significant sites.
Overall Meaning:
The verse is a boastful poetic statement about the power and conquests of King Sihon before the Israelites defeated him. It's saying:
"Sihon's military might (the 'fire' from Heshbon) has been so powerful that it has conquered Moabite territory, even threatening their important cities (like Ar) and subjugating their leaders or religious figures along the Arnon River."
Significance in the Context of Numbers 21:
The Israelites were about to engage Sihon in battle. This song, or poem, emphasizes Sihon's previous victories to illustrate the formidable enemy the Israelites were facing. By defeating Sihon, the Israelites would be conquering a king who had previously been successful in war, thus highlighting the power of God in granting the Israelites victory. The song is therefore a prelude to a greater demonstration of God's power on behalf of the Israelites.