Numbers 21:17
Numbers 21:17 in Multiple Translations
Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well, all of you sing to it!
¶ Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:
Then sang Israel this song: Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:
Then Israel gave voice to this song: Come up, O water-spring, let us make a song to it:
Then the Israelites sang this song: “Pour out water, well! Everyone of you sing to it!
Then Israel sang this song, Rise vp well, sing ye vnto it.
Then singeth Israel this song, concerning the well — they have answered to it:
Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, well! Sing to it,
Then Israel sung this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye to it:
Then Israel sung this song: Let the well spring up. They sung thereto:
There the Israelis sang this song: “O well, give us water! Sing about this well!
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 21:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 21:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אָ֚ז
יָשִׁ֣יר
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
אֶת
הַ/שִּׁירָ֖ה
הַ/זֹּ֑את
עֲלִ֥י
בְאֵ֖ר
עֱנוּ
לָֽ/הּ
אָ֚ז
ʼâz
H227
then
Adv
יָשִׁ֣יר
shîyr
H7891
to sing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/שִּׁירָ֖ה
shîyr
H7892
song
Art | N-cs
הַ/זֹּ֑את
zôʼth
H2063
this
Art | Pron
עֲלִ֥י
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
V-Qal-Impv-2fs
בְאֵ֖ר
bᵉʼêr
H875
well
N-fs
עֱנוּ
ʻânâh
H6030
to dwell
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
לָֽ/הּ
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 21:17
אָ֚ז
ʼâz
H227
"then"
Adv
This Hebrew word refers to a past time or place, often used to describe something that happened earlier. It can also be used as a conjunction to show a cause-and-effect relationship. In the Bible, it appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) then, at that time 1a) temporal expressions 1a1) then (past) 1a2) then, if...then (future) 1a3) earlier 1b) logical expressions 1b1) in that case 1b2) that (being so)
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: beginning, for, from, hitherto, now, of old, once, since, then, at which time, yet. See also: Genesis 4:26; 1 Chronicles 22:13; Psalms 2:5.
יָשִׁ֣יר
shîyr
H7891
"to sing"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to sing, and it is used in the Bible to describe the act of singing, like when the Israelites sang after crossing the Red Sea in Exodus 15. It can also refer to a singer or songstress. The Bible often mentions singing as a way to praise God.
Definition: 1) to sing 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sing 1a2) singer, songstresses (participle) 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to sing 1b2) singer, songstress (participle) 1c) (Hophal) to be sung
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: behold (by mistake for H7789 (שׁוּר)), sing(-er, -ing man, -ing woman). See also: Exodus 15:1; Nehemiah 12:45; Psalms 7:1.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/שִּׁירָ֖ה
shîyr
H7892
"song"
Art | N-cs
This word refers to a song or singing, and it is used in the Bible to describe musical expressions of praise and worship, like the songs of David in the book of Psalms. It can also be used to describe a specific song or ode.
Definition: 1) song 1a) lyric song 1b) religious song 1c) song of Levitical choirs Also means: shi.rah (שִׁירָה "song" H7892B)
Usage: Occurs in 87 OT verses. KJV: musical(-ick), [idiom] sing(-er, -ing), song. See also: Genesis 31:27; Psalms 76:1; Psalms 18:1.
הַ/זֹּ֑את
zôʼth
H2063
"this"
Art | Pron
This Hebrew word means this or that, often used to point out something specific. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 570 OT verses. KJV: hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she, so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing), thus. See also: Genesis 2:23; Numbers 7:88; Judges 1:27.
עֲלִ֥י
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
V-Qal-Impv-2fs
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
בְאֵ֖ר
bᵉʼêr
H875
"well"
N-fs
A well or pit, like a water source, is what this word refers to. It can also mean a spring, and is often translated as a well or pit in the Bible.
Definition: well, pit, spring
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: pit, well. See also: Genesis 14:10; Genesis 29:3; Psalms 55:24.
עֱנוּ
ʻânâh
H6030
"to dwell"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Definition: (Qal) to dwell
Usage: Occurs in 316 OT verses. KJV: give account, afflict (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also H1042 (בֵּית עֲנוֹת), H1043 (בֵּית עֲנָת). See also: Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 14:19; Job 40:2.
לָֽ/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Numbers 21:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 21:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 21:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 21:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 21:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 21:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 21:17
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 21:17
- Barnes' Notes on Numbers 21:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 21:17
- Sermons on Numbers 21:17
Context — The Journey to Moab
15even the slopes of the wadis that extend to the site of Ar and lie along the border of Moab.”
16From there they went on to Beer, the well where the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people so that I may give them water.”
17Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well, all of you sing to it!
18The 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, 19and from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | James 5:13 | Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. |
| 2 | Exodus 15:1–2 | Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. |
| 3 | Psalms 106:12 | Then they believed His promises and sang His praise. |
| 4 | Judges 5:1 | On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song: |
| 5 | Isaiah 12:1–2 | In that day you will say: “O LORD, I will praise You. Although You were angry with me, Your anger has turned away, and You have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.” |
| 6 | Isaiah 12:5 | Sing to the LORD, for He has done glorious things. Let this be known in all the earth. |
| 7 | Psalms 105:2 | Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders. |
Numbers 21:17 Summary
[This verse is about the Israelites singing a happy song about a well that God provided for them. They were thankful for the water, which is necessary for life, just like we need Jesus to have spiritual life, as seen in John 4:14. The Israelites' song is an example of how we can express our gratitude to God for His provision and care in our lives. We can apply this verse by recognizing God's goodness and singing our own songs of praise to Him, just like in Psalm 100:4-5.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Israelites singing a song about a well?
The Israelites sang this song as an expression of gratitude and joy for the provision of water, which is a symbol of spiritual nourishment, as seen in Isaiah 55:1 and John 4:14.
Is this well a real, physical well or a metaphorical one?
The well in Numbers 21:17 is a real, physical well that was dug by the princes and nobles of the people, as mentioned in Numbers 21:18, but it also serves as a reminder of God's provision and care for His people, much like the well in John 4:6.
What is the significance of the Israelites' song in this context?
The Israelites' song is an expression of worship and praise to God for His provision and care, as seen in Exodus 15:1-21, where they sang a song after being rescued from the Egyptians.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives?
We can apply this verse by recognizing God's provision and care in our own lives, and responding with gratitude and worship, just as the Israelites did, as encouraged in Psalm 100:4-5.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God has provided for me, and how can I express my gratitude to Him?
- How can I, like the Israelites, sing a song of praise and worship to God in the midst of challenging circumstances?
- What are some 'wells' in my life that God has provided, and how can I use them to nourish and sustain myself and others?
- How can I, like the Israelites, trust in God's provision and care, even when I don't see it immediately?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 21:17
Then Israel sang this song,.... Being affected with the free favour and good will of God towards them: spring up, O well; for the springing up of which they prayed in faith, believing in the promise
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 21:17
Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it: Then Israel sang.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 21:17
Israel sang this song, to praise God for giving them such a seasonable blessing, before they asked it, or complained for the want of it. Spring up; give forth thy waters that we may drink. Heb. Ascend, i.e. let thy waters, which now lie hid below in the earth, ascend for thy use. It is either a prediction that it should spring up, or a prayer that it might, or a command in the name of God directed to the well, by a usual prosopopaeia, as when God bids the heavens hear, and the earth give ear, . Any of these ways it shows their faith. Sing ye unto it; or, sing ye of it; or, answer to it or concerning it; it being the manner of the Jewish singers that one should answer to another, of which see .
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 21:17
Numbers 21:17 Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:Ver. 17. Then Israel sang this soug.] A sign of that Christian joy.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 21:17
Verse 17. Spring up, O well, &c.] This is one of the most ancient war songs in the world, but is not easily understood, which is commonly the case with all very ancient compositions, especially the poetic. See Clarke on Exodus 15:1, &c.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 21:17
Numbers 21:12-20. J E The Israelites arrived at a spot on the S.E. border of Moab, and then, having travelled northwards along its eastern boundary, penetrated westward till they reached the cliffs which fall to the Dead Sea. Notice that the formula used in the itinerary has changed; in Numbers 21:10-11 it is ‘and they journeyed from —— and encamped in ——,’ as throughout ch. 33; but here it is ‘from thence they journeyed, and encamped in ——,’ or some shorter expression. On the whole of this section see G. A. Smith, Hist. Geogr. 557–66, and his article ‘Moab’ in Enc. Bibl. [Note: nc. Bibl. Encyclopaedia Biblica.]
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 21:17
This song, recognized by all authorities as dating from the earliest times, and suggested apparently by the fact that God in this place gave the people water not from the rock, but by commanding
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 21:17
17. Israel sang this song —“Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it; The well which the princes digged, Which the nobles of the people delved With the sceptre and with their staves.”“The arrival in Moab
Sermons on Numbers 21:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Praise in Advance by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches on the story of the Israelites in the desert, where God miraculously provided water from a well after they sang and dug in faith. This serves as a powerf |
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God's Order in Wilderness Disorders by H.J. Vine | H.J. Vine preaches on the Book of Numbers, highlighting the journey of the redeemed towards heaven and the divine order and grace of God in the midst of murmurings and disorders. T |
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Don't Lose Your Song by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not losing one's song, referring to the joy and praise that comes from having a strong faith in God. The speaker reads from |
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A Life of Victory in the Midst of Troubles by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's faith and not compromising with the world. He warns against trying to win people over by conforming |
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Why Do the Righteous Suffer by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker begins by sharing a personal story about a doctor friend who gained sympathy for those in pain after experiencing kidney stones himself. The speaker the |
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James 5 Expositional by Chuck Smith | This sermon by James focuses on various important topics such as the warning to the rich about the dangers of setting their hearts on riches, the importance of patience in waiting |
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Bring Back the Glory by Manley Beasley | In this sermon, the preacher, Brian, discusses the importance of bringing back the glory of God. He shares that he recently preached a message on worship and got carried away with |