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Numbers 21:17
Verse
Context
The Journey to 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,
Sermons
H.J. Vine
Charles E. CowmanSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Spring up, O well, etc. - 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 the remarks Exo 15:1 (note), etc.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Then Israel sang--This beautiful little song was in accordance with the wants and feelings of travelling caravans in the East, where water is an occasion both of prayer and thanksgiving. From the princes using their official rods only, and not spades, it seems probable that this well was concealed by the brushwood or the sand, as is the case with many wells in Idumea still. The discovery of it was seasonable, and owing to the special interposition of God.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The princes digged the well,.... The princes and heads of the several tribes: the nobles of the people digged it; the seventy elders, according to the Targum of Jonathan: by the direction of the lawgiver; either the Lord himself, the lawgiver of his people, who pointed out the spot, and directed the princes where to dig, that is, be did this by Moses; and who, as Jarchi thinks, is the lawgiver, and not amiss: the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem render the word by Scribes, in the plural number, and interpret them of Moses and Aaron: and this the princes and nobles "dug with their staves"; either their walking sticks, or their rods, the ensigns of their authority; with these they smote the ground, or stuck them in a soft and sandy place, upon which the waters bubbled up and flowed out. Dr. Shaw (n) chooses to render the words, "with their united applause", or "clapping of hands", as the word in Chaldee signifies; or it may be expressed, as by Dr. Hunt, quoted by him, "by describing" or "marking out" the figure or fashion of the well "with staves". Mr. Ainsworth thinks that this well signified Christ, the fountain of gardens, and well of living waters; and the waters of it the Spirit and his graces, which are a well of living water springing up unto everlasting life; the means of which are the labours of the governors of the church, the ministers of Christ,by preaching the word, and opening the Scriptures; and such grace is worthy of a song, and to be had with joy out of the wells of salvation, Isa 12:3, and from the wilderness they went to Mattanah; from the wilderness near Arnon, which came out of the coasts of the Amorites, Num 21:13 to a place which signifies a gift. The Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem render it,"and from the wilderness it was given to them for a gift''that is, the well; and so the people of God, that are called out of the wilderness of this world, and come up from it, are called to partake of the gifts and blessings of grace, which are freely given unto them of God. (n) Travels, p. 67. Ed. 2.
Numbers 21:17
The Journey to 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,
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
God's Order in Wilderness Disorders
By H.J. Vine0NUM 14:18NUM 21:17JHN 3:14JHN 6:35HEB 1:2H.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. The book typifies the triumph of God in Christ Jesus, emphasizing the importance of faith, wisdom, and beauty in divine order. Through wilderness schooling, believers learn deeper lessons, growing in the knowledge of God and experiencing His faithfulness and consistency.
Praise in Advance
By Charles E. Cowman0NUM 21:17PSA 147:1EPH 5:20PHP 4:61TH 5:18Charles 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 powerful illustration of how our praise and faith can unlock blessings even in the most barren times of our lives. The act of praising God opens up fountains of blessings, while murmuring and lack of gratitude can hinder us from experiencing His provision. The message emphasizes the importance of praising God not only for our current blessings but also for the trials that ultimately lead to blessings, and even for the future blessings we have yet to receive.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Spring up, O well, etc. - 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 the remarks Exo 15:1 (note), etc.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Then Israel sang--This beautiful little song was in accordance with the wants and feelings of travelling caravans in the East, where water is an occasion both of prayer and thanksgiving. From the princes using their official rods only, and not spades, it seems probable that this well was concealed by the brushwood or the sand, as is the case with many wells in Idumea still. The discovery of it was seasonable, and owing to the special interposition of God.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The princes digged the well,.... The princes and heads of the several tribes: the nobles of the people digged it; the seventy elders, according to the Targum of Jonathan: by the direction of the lawgiver; either the Lord himself, the lawgiver of his people, who pointed out the spot, and directed the princes where to dig, that is, be did this by Moses; and who, as Jarchi thinks, is the lawgiver, and not amiss: the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem render the word by Scribes, in the plural number, and interpret them of Moses and Aaron: and this the princes and nobles "dug with their staves"; either their walking sticks, or their rods, the ensigns of their authority; with these they smote the ground, or stuck them in a soft and sandy place, upon which the waters bubbled up and flowed out. Dr. Shaw (n) chooses to render the words, "with their united applause", or "clapping of hands", as the word in Chaldee signifies; or it may be expressed, as by Dr. Hunt, quoted by him, "by describing" or "marking out" the figure or fashion of the well "with staves". Mr. Ainsworth thinks that this well signified Christ, the fountain of gardens, and well of living waters; and the waters of it the Spirit and his graces, which are a well of living water springing up unto everlasting life; the means of which are the labours of the governors of the church, the ministers of Christ,by preaching the word, and opening the Scriptures; and such grace is worthy of a song, and to be had with joy out of the wells of salvation, Isa 12:3, and from the wilderness they went to Mattanah; from the wilderness near Arnon, which came out of the coasts of the Amorites, Num 21:13 to a place which signifies a gift. The Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem render it,"and from the wilderness it was given to them for a gift''that is, the well; and so the people of God, that are called out of the wilderness of this world, and come up from it, are called to partake of the gifts and blessings of grace, which are freely given unto them of God. (n) Travels, p. 67. Ed. 2.