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Today's Bible Reading :: Numbers 21 - 22 (ESV)

Numbers 21Listen to the passage

Numbers 22Listen to the passage

Numbers 21

Arad Destroyed

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:1

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:1 - When the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negeb, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim, he fought against Israel, and took some of them captive.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:2

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:2 - And Israel vowed a vow to the LORD and said, “If you will indeed give this people into my hand, then I will devote their cities to destruction.”[fn]

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:3

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:3 - And the LORD heeded the voice of Israel and gave over the Canaanites, and they devoted them and their cities to destruction. So the name of the place was called Hormah.[fn]

The Bronze Serpent

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:4

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:4 - From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:5

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:5 - And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:6

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:6 - Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:7

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:7 - And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:8

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:8 - And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:9

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:9 - So Moses made a bronze[fn] serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

The Song of the Well

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:10

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:10 - And the people of Israel set out and camped in Oboth.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:11

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:11 - And they set out from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim, in the wilderness that is opposite Moab, toward the sunrise.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:12

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:12 - From there they set out and camped in the Valley of Zered.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:13

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:13 - From there they set out and camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that extends from the border of the Amorites, for the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:14

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:14 - Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the LORD,
“Waheb in Suphah, and the valleys of the Arnon,

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:15

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:15 - and the slope of the valleys
that extends to the seat of Ar,
and leans to the border of Moab.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:16

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:16 - And from there they continued to Beer;[fn] that is the well of which the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people together, so that I may give them water.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:17

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:17 - Then Israel sang this song:
“Spring up, O well!—Sing to it!—

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:18

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:18 - the well that the princes made,
that the nobles of the people dug,
with the scepter and with their staffs.” And from the wilderness they went on to Mattanah,

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:19

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:19 - and from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth,

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:20

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:20 - and from Bamoth to the valley lying in the region of Moab by the top of Pisgah that looks down on the desert.[fn]

King Sihon Defeated

(Deu 2:26–37 )

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:21

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:21 - Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:22

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:22 - “Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into field or vineyard. We will not drink the water of a well. We will go by the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:23

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:23 - But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. He gathered all his people together and went out against Israel to the wilderness and came to Jahaz and fought against Israel.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:24

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:24 - And Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as to the Ammonites, for the border of the Ammonites was strong.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:25

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:25 - And Israel took all these cities, and Israel settled in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all its villages.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:26

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:26 - For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and taken all his land out of his hand, as far as the Arnon.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:27

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:27 - Therefore the ballad singers say,
“Come to Heshbon, let it be built;
let the city of Sihon be established.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:28

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:28 - For fire came out from Heshbon,
flame from the city of Sihon.
It devoured Ar of Moab,
and swallowed[fn] the heights of the Arnon.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:29

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:29 - Woe to you, O Moab!
You are undone, O people of Chemosh!
He has made his sons fugitives,
and his daughters captives,
to an Amorite king, Sihon.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:30

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:30 - So we overthrew them;
Heshbon, as far as Dibon, perished;
and we laid waste as far as Nophah;
fire spread as far as Medeba.”[fn]

King Og Defeated

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:31

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:31 - Thus Israel lived in the land of the Amorites.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:32

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:32 - And Moses sent to spy out Jazer, and they captured its villages and dispossessed the Amorites who were there.
(Deu 3:1–22 )

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:33

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:33 - Then they turned and went up by the way to Bashan. And Og the king of Bashan came out against them, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:34

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:34 - But the LORD said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people, and his land. And you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 21:35

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 21:35 - So they defeated him and his sons and all his people, until he had no survivor left. And they possessed his land.
ESV Footnotes
That is, set apart (devote) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction); also verse 3
Hormah means destruction
Or copper
Beer means well
Or Jeshimon
Septuagint; Hebrew the lords of
Compare Samaritan and Septuagint; Hebrew and we laid waste as far as Nophah, which is as far as Medeba

Numbers 22

Balak Summons Balaam

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:1

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:1 - Then the people of Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:2

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:2 - And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:3

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:3 - And Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:4

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:4 - And Moab said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time,

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:5

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:5 - sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River[fn] in the land of the people of Amaw,[fn] to call him, saying, “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:6

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:6 - Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:7

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:7 - So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand. And they came to Balaam and gave him Balak’s message.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:8

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:8 - And he said to them, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the LORD speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:9

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:9 - And God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:10

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:10 - And Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying,

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:11

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:11 - ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Now come, curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.’”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:12

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:12 - God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:13

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:13 - So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your own land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:14

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:14 - So the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:15

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:15 - Once again Balak sent princes, more in number and more honorable than these.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:16

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:16 - And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ‘Let nothing hinder you from coming to me,

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:17

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:17 - for I will surely do you great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Come, curse this people for me.’”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:18

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:18 - But Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the LORD my God to do less or more.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:19

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:19 - So you, too, please stay here tonight, that I may know what more the LORD will say to me.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:20

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:20 - And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:21

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:21 - So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab.

Balaam’s Donkey and the Angel

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:22

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:22 - But God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:23

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:23 - And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:24

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:24 - Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:25

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:25 - And when the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So he struck her again.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:26

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:26 - Then the angel of the LORD went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:27

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:27 - When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:28

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:28 - Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:29

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:29 - And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:30

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:30 - And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?” And he said, “No.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:31

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:31 - Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:32

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:32 - And the angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse[fn] before me.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:33

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:33 - The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let her live.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:34

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:34 - Then Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:35

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:35 - And the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only the word that I tell you.” So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:36

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:36 - When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, on the border formed by the Arnon, at the extremity of the border.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:37

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:37 - And Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:38

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:38 - Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you! Have I now any power of my own to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak.”

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:39

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:39 - Then Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:40

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:40 - And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent for Balaam and for the princes who were with him.

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Unchecked Copy Box Num 22:41

Unchecked Copy BoxNum 22:41 - And in the morning Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal, and from there he saw a fraction of the people.
See the ESV Preface
ESV Footnotes
That is, the Euphrates
Or the people of his kindred
Or reckless
ESV

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016, 2025 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

See detailed copyright information.

For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.

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