Numbers 21:3 - Yahweh listened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities. The name of the place was called Hormah.
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What does "Numbers 21:3" mean?
This verse from Numbers 21:3 describes a significant event in the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, carrying several key meanings:
Yahweh's Response to Prayer: The verse begins by stating that "Yahweh listened to the voice of Israel." This highlights the Israelites' reliance on God and their belief that He would intervene on their behalf when they were in distress. It emphasizes the power of prayer and the covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people.
Divine Deliverance: The phrase "delivered up the Canaanites" indicates that God granted the Israelites victory over their enemies. It wasn't through their own strength alone, but through divine intervention that they were able to overcome the Canaanites.
Complete Destruction: The words "they utterly destroyed them and their cities" signify a complete and decisive victory. The Hebrew word translated as "utterly destroyed" is often associated with the concept of "devoting to destruction" as an offering to God, indicating that everything associated with the Canaanites was to be completely eliminated. This was not merely a military conquest, but a religious act aimed at removing any potential source of idolatry or corruption from among the Israelites.
Naming of Hormah: The renaming of the place to "Hormah" (meaning "devoted to destruction" or "destruction") serves as a memorial to this event. It acted as a reminder of God's power, the Israelites' obedience, and the consequence of encountering God's judgment.
In summary, Numbers 21:3 tells a story of faith, answered prayer, divine intervention, and the consequences of disobedience. It highlights the Israelites' dependence on God for victory, the importance of following His commands, and the potential consequences of failing to do so. It also sets the stage for future conflicts and conquests as they continued their journey towards the Promised Land.
Numbers 21:3 - Yahweh listened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities. The name of the place was called Hormah.
What does "Numbers 21:3" mean?
This verse from Numbers 21:3 describes a significant event in the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, carrying several key meanings:
Yahweh's Response to Prayer: The verse begins by stating that "Yahweh listened to the voice of Israel." This highlights the Israelites' reliance on God and their belief that He would intervene on their behalf when they were in distress. It emphasizes the power of prayer and the covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people.
Divine Deliverance: The phrase "delivered up the Canaanites" indicates that God granted the Israelites victory over their enemies. It wasn't through their own strength alone, but through divine intervention that they were able to overcome the Canaanites.
Complete Destruction: The words "they utterly destroyed them and their cities" signify a complete and decisive victory. The Hebrew word translated as "utterly destroyed" is often associated with the concept of "devoting to destruction" as an offering to God, indicating that everything associated with the Canaanites was to be completely eliminated. This was not merely a military conquest, but a religious act aimed at removing any potential source of idolatry or corruption from among the Israelites.
Naming of Hormah: The renaming of the place to "Hormah" (meaning "devoted to destruction" or "destruction") serves as a memorial to this event. It acted as a reminder of God's power, the Israelites' obedience, and the consequence of encountering God's judgment.
In summary, Numbers 21:3 tells a story of faith, answered prayer, divine intervention, and the consequences of disobedience. It highlights the Israelites' dependence on God for victory, the importance of following His commands, and the potential consequences of failing to do so. It also sets the stage for future conflicts and conquests as they continued their journey towards the Promised Land.