Numbers 21:29
Numbers 21:29 in Multiple Translations
Woe to you, O Moab! You are destroyed, O people of Chemosh! He gave up his sons as refugees, and his daughters into captivity to Sihon king of the Amorites.
Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.
Woe to thee, Moab! Thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: He hath given his sons as fugitives, And his daughters into captivity, Unto Sihon king of the Amorites.
Sorrow is yours, O Moab! Destruction is your fate, O people of Chemosh: his sons have gone in flight, and his daughters are prisoners, in the hands of Sihon, king of the Amorites.
What a disaster you face, Moab! You are all going to die, people of Chemosh! You handed over your sons as exiles and your daughters as prisoners to Sihon, king of the Amorites.
Wo be to thee, Moab: O people of Chemosh, thou art vndone: he hath suffered his sonnes to be pursued, and his daughters to be in captiuitie to Sihon the king of the Amorites.
Woe to thee, O Moab, Thou hast perished, O people of Chemosh, He hath given his sons who escape — Also his daughters — Into captivity, to a king of the Amorite — Sihon!
Woe to you, Moab! You are undone, people of Chemosh! He has given his sons as fugitives, and his daughters into captivity, to Sihon king of the Amorites.
Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity to Sihon king of the Amorites.
Woe to thee Moab: thou art undone, O people of Chamos. He hath given his sons to flight, and his daughters into captivity to Sehon the king of the Amorrhites.
You people of Moab, terrible things have happened to you! You people who worship your god Chemosh have been ◄annihilated/wiped out►! The men who worshiped [MET] Chemosh have run away and are now refugees, and the women who worshiped him have been captured by the army of Sihon, the king of the Amor people-group.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 21:29
BAB
Word Study
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Numbers 21:29 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אוֹי
לְ/ךָ֣
מוֹאָ֔ב
אָבַ֖דְתָּ
עַם
כְּמ֑וֹשׁ
נָתַ֨ן
בָּנָ֤י/ו
פְּלֵיטִם֙
וּ/בְנֹתָ֣י/ו
בַּ/שְּׁבִ֔ית
לְ/מֶ֥לֶךְ
אֱמֹרִ֖י
סִיחֽוֹן
אוֹי
ʼôwy
H188
woe!
Part
לְ/ךָ֣
Prep | Suff
מוֹאָ֔ב
Môwʼâb
H4124
Moab
N-proper
אָבַ֖דְתָּ
ʼâbad
H6
to perish
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
עַם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-ms
כְּמ֑וֹשׁ
Kᵉmôwsh
H3645
Chemosh
N-proper
נָתַ֨ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
בָּנָ֤י/ו
bên
H1121
son
N-mp | Suff
פְּלֵיטִם֙
pâlîyṭ
H6412
survivor
N-mp
וּ/בְנֹתָ֣י/ו
bath
H1323
Bath (Shua)
Conj | N-fp | Suff
בַּ/שְּׁבִ֔ית
shᵉbîy
H7628
captivity
Prep | N-cs
לְ/מֶ֥לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Prep | N-ms
אֱמֹרִ֖י
ʼĔmôrîy
H567
Amorite
Ngmsa
סִיחֽוֹן
Çîychôwn
H5511
Sihon
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 21:29
אוֹי
ʼôwy
H188
"woe!"
Part
This word is an expression of sorrow or grief, like a cry of 'Oh no!' or 'Alas!' It's used in Isaiah and Jeremiah to lament the fate of God's people. The prophets use it to express deep emotional pain.
Definition: 1) woe! alas! oh! 1a) passionate cry of grief or despair
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: alas, woe. See also: Numbers 21:29; Jeremiah 6:4; Proverbs 23:29.
לְ/ךָ֣
""
Prep | Suff
מוֹאָ֔ב
Môwʼâb
H4124
"Moab"
N-proper
Moab refers to the land and descendants of the son of Lot, who was born out of an incestuous relationship. The land of Moab is mentioned in the book of Numbers and the book of Ruth.
Definition: Combined with a.ra.vah (עֲרָבָה " Plains" H6160I) § Moab = "of his father" the land inhabited by the descendants of the son of Lot
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: Moab. See also: Genesis 19:37; 2 Kings 3:21; Psalms 60:10.
אָבַ֖דְתָּ
ʼâbad
H6
"to perish"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
To perish means to be destroyed or lost, whether it's a person, animal, or thing, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.
Definition: 1) perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) perish, die, be exterminated 1a2) perish, vanish (fig.) 1a3) be lost, strayed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to destroy, kill, cause to perish, to give up (as lost), exterminate 1b2) to blot out, do away with, cause to vanish, (fig.) 1b3) cause to stray, lose 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to destroy, put to death 1c1a) of divine judgment 1c2) object name of kings (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (אֲבַד "to destroy" H0007)
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee. See also: Exodus 10:7; Psalms 112:10; Psalms 1:6.
עַם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
כְּמ֑וֹשׁ
Kᵉmôwsh
H3645
"Chemosh"
N-proper
Chemosh was the god of the Moabites, their national deity. The Israelites were warned against worshiping Chemosh, and King Josiah later abolished its worship in Jerusalem.
Definition: § Chemosh = "subduer" the national deity of the Moabites and a god of the Ammonites also identified with 'Baal-peor', 'Baal-zebub', 'Mars' and 'Saturn' 1b) worship of this god was introduced into Jerusalem by Solomon and abolished by king Josiah of Judah
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: Chemosh. See also: Numbers 21:29; 2 Kings 23:13; Jeremiah 48:7.
נָתַ֨ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
בָּנָ֤י/ו
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
פְּלֵיטִם֙
pâlîyṭ
H6412
"survivor"
N-mp
A survivor refers to a refugee or fugitive who has escaped, as seen in the stories of those who fled from danger in the Bible.
Definition: refugee, fugitive, escaped one Also means: pa.let (פָּלֵיט "survivor" H6412B)
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: (that have) escape(-d, -th), fugitive. See also: Genesis 14:13; Jeremiah 50:28; Isaiah 45:20.
וּ/בְנֹתָ֣י/ו
bath
H1323
"Bath (Shua)"
Conj | N-fp | Suff
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
בַּ/שְּׁבִ֔ית
shᵉbîy
H7628
"captivity"
Prep | N-cs
This word describes someone who has been captured or taken away, like the Israelites who were exiled to Babylon. It can also refer to the act of taking someone or something away, or to the state of being a captive.
Definition: 1) captivity, captives 1a) (state of) captivity 1b) (act of) capture 1c) captives
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: captive(-ity), prisoners, [idiom] take away, that was taken. See also: Exodus 12:29; Isaiah 49:24; Psalms 68:19.
לְ/מֶ֥לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
אֱמֹרִ֖י
ʼĔmôrîy
H567
"Amorite"
Ngmsa
An Amorite is a member of a Canaanite tribe, first mentioned in Genesis 10:16, descended from Canaan. The Israelites displaced them as they entered the Promised Land.
Definition: Someone descended from Amor(?), first mentioned at Gen.10.16; descended from Canaan (H3667); along with Sidon (H6721), Heth (H2845), Jebusite (H2983), Girgashite (H1622), Hivite (H2340), Arkite (H6208), Sinite (H5513), Arvadite (H0721), Zemarite (H6786) and Hamathite (H2577) § Amorite = "a sayer" one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan, dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: Amorite. See also: Genesis 10:16; Joshua 9:1; Psalms 135:11.
סִיחֽוֹן
Çîychôwn
H5511
"Sihon"
N-proper
Sihon was an Amorite king who lived during the time of the Israelites' wilderness journey. He was defeated by Moses in Transjordan, as recorded in Numbers 21:21. His name means warrior.
Definition: A king of Amorites living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.21.21 § Sihon = "warrior" king of the Amorites at the time of the conquest and defeated by Moses in Transjordan
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: Sihon. See also: Numbers 21:21; Deuteronomy 29:6; Psalms 135:11.
Study Notes — Numbers 21:29
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 21:29 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 21:29
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 21:29
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 21:29
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 21:29
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 21:29
- Barnes' Notes on Numbers 21:29
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 21:29
- Sermons on Numbers 21:29
Context — The Defeat of Sihon
27That is why the poets say: “Come to Heshbon, let it be rebuilt; let the city of Sihon be restored.
28For a fire went out from Heshbon, a blaze from the city of Sihon. It consumed Ar of Moab, the rulers of Arnon’s heights.
29Woe to you, O Moab! You are destroyed, O people of Chemosh! He gave up his sons as refugees, and his daughters into captivity to Sihon king of the Amorites.
30But we have overthrown them; Heshbon is destroyed as far as Dibon. We demolished them as far as Nophah, which reaches to Medeba. ” 31So Israel lived in the land of the Amorites.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 11:24 | Do you not possess whatever your god Chemosh grants you? So also, we possess whatever the LORD our God has granted us. |
| 2 | 2 Kings 23:13 | The king also desecrated the high places east of Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Corruption, which King Solomon of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 48:46 | Woe to you, O Moab! The people of Chemosh have perished; for your sons have been taken into exile and your daughters have gone into captivity. |
| 4 | 1 Kings 11:7 | At that time on a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 48:7 | Because you trust in your works and treasures, you too will be captured, and Chemosh will go into exile with his priests and officials. |
| 6 | 1 Kings 11:33 | For they have forsaken Me to worship Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in My ways, nor done what is right in My eyes, nor kept My statutes and judgments, as Solomon’s father David did. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 48:13 | Then Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh, just as the house of Israel was ashamed when they trusted in Bethel. |
| 8 | 1 Corinthians 8:4–5 | So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), |
| 9 | Isaiah 16:2 | Like fluttering birds pushed out of the nest, so are the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon: |
| 10 | Isaiah 15:5 | My heart cries out over Moab; her fugitives flee as far as Zoar, as far as Eglath-shelishiyah. With weeping they ascend the slope of Luhith; they lament their destruction on the road to Horonaim. |
Numbers 21:29 Summary
This verse is saying that the people of Moab, who worshiped a false god named Chemosh, are being judged by God and will be destroyed. This is because they chose to follow a false god instead of the one true God, as seen in verses like Deuteronomy 6:14-15. Just like the Israelites were warned not to worship other gods in Exodus 20:3-6, the Moabites are facing the consequences of their actions. God is a loving God, but He is also a just God who will not tolerate false worship, as seen in Psalm 96:4-5, and this verse reminds us to worship Him alone and trust in His love and mercy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Moab being destroyed in Numbers 21:29?
The destruction of Moab is a judgment from God, as seen in other verses like Isaiah 15:1, where God pronounces woe upon Moab for their wickedness and idolatry, specifically their worship of Chemosh, a false god.
Who is Chemosh and why is he mentioned in this verse?
Chemosh was the national god of the Moabites, as mentioned in 1 Kings 11:7 and 2 Kings 13:6, and the people of Moab are being held accountable for their devotion to this false deity, which led to their downfall.
What does it mean that the sons and daughters of Moab were given up as refugees and captives?
This refers to the conquest of Moab by Sihon king of the Amorites, where the Moabites were displaced and their children were taken away, much like what happened to Israel in Exodus 1:22, where the Egyptians afflicted the Israelites and took their children.
How does this verse relate to God's plan of redemption?
Although this verse speaks of judgment, it also points to God's sovereignty and His plan to redeem His people, as seen in verses like Romans 11:25-26, where God's plan to redeem Israel is revealed, and Isaiah 43:1-7, where God promises to redeem and restore His people.
Reflection Questions
- What are the consequences of worshiping false gods, and how can we apply this lesson to our own lives?
- How does God's judgment on Moab relate to His love and mercy, as seen in verses like Psalm 103:8-12?
- What does it mean to be a 'refugee' or 'captive' spiritually, and how can we find freedom in Christ, as seen in Galatians 5:1?
- How can we balance the idea of God's judgment with His promise to 'not leave or forsake' us, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of worshiping the one true God, as commanded in Exodus 20:3-6?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 21:29
Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone,.... The whole country ruined, or likely to be so: O people of Chemosh; which was the name of their idol, who is called the abomination of the Moabites, 1 Kings
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 21:29
Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared: Wherefore they that speak in proverbs , [ hamoshªliym (H4911)] - parables, sententious
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 21:29
Alas, poor Moab! thou couldst not save thyself from Sihon’ s sword. People of Chemosh, i.e. the worshippers of Chemosh: so the god of the Moabites was called, ,33 . He, i.e. their god, hath delivered up his own people to his and their enemies; he could not defend them, but suffered many of them to be killed; nor could be secure even those that had escaped the sword, but suffered them to fall into their enemies’ hands, and by them to be carried into captivity. Unto Sihon king of the Amorites. Now the words of this and the following verse seem to be not a part of that triumphant song or poem made, as I suppose, by some Amoritish bard or poet, which seems to be concluded, ; but of the Israelites making their observation upon it. And here they scoff at the impotency not only of the Moabites, but of their god also, who could not save his people from the sword of Sihon and the Amorites.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 21:29
(27-30) Come into Heshbon.—These verses appear to commemorate first the victory of the Amorites over the Moabites, and then that of the Israelites over the Amorites. They may be rendered thus:— “Come ye to Heshbon! Let the city of Sihon be built up and restored! For a fire went out from Heshbon— A flame from the city of Sihon: It devoured Ar (or, the city) of Moab— The lords of the high places of Arnon. Woe to thee, Moab!Thou art perished, O people of Chemosh: He (i.e., Chemosh) gave up his sons as fugitives,And his daughters into captivity,Unto Sihon, the King of the Amorites. We cast them down; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon: Yea, we laid them waste even unto Nophah, Which (reacheth) even unto Medcba.” Or, if we read esh (fire) instead of asher (which), a reading which derives some support from the Masoretic point over the last letter and from the context (Numbers 21:28), as well as from the LXX., the last words may be rendered, “With fire, even unto Medeba.” The Targum understands by “the lords of the high places of Arnon” the priests and worshippers in the temples and at the altars of the idols in Moab. Medeba, now Medaba, was situated at the south of Heshbon. The position of Nophah is unknown. It has been supposed that it may be the same as Nebo, which is mentioned in connection with Dibon and Medeba in Isaiah 15:2, or with Arneibah, which lies to the east of Medeba.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 21:29
29. The verse is still ironical; the Israelites express their pity for Moab in her destruction by the Amorites. He hath given] He gave. Chemosh, the god of the Moabites, delivered his people into the hands of their enemies. Cf. Jeremiah 48:13. Unto Sihon king of the Amorites] Unto an Amorite king Sihon. The clause may be a late gloss; the expression is unusual, and the quotation in Jeremiah 48:46 ends at the word ‘captivity.’
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 21:29
Chemosh - The national God of the Moabites (compare the marginal references). The name probably means “Vanquisher,” or “Master.” The worship of Chemosh was introduced into Israel by Solomon 1 Kings 11:7; 2 Kings 23:13.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 21:29
29. Chemosh was the chief god of the Moabites and of the Ammonites, akin to Milcom, Baal, and Moloch.
Sermons on Numbers 21:29
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Christian View of Life by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of viewing knowledge, liberty, and responsibility in the right way as a Christian. He highlights the need for knowledge to be |
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Homily 10 by Clement of Rome | Clement of Rome preaches in Tripolis about the dangers of ignorance and error, highlighting the difference between those who worship idols and those who worship the one true God. H |
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Against the Heathen by St. Athanasius | Athanasius preaches against idolatry, highlighting the inconsistency and godlessness of worshipping images and false gods. He questions the rationale behind attributing divine attr |
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The Triunity of God by Keith Malcomson | Keith Malcomson addresses the confusion surrounding the nature of God, particularly focusing on the denial of the trinity by various religious groups throughout history. He delves |
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Exposition on Psalm 136 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches on the importance of giving thanks to the Lord for His enduring mercy, emphasizing that His mercy is eternal and bestowed upon His saints and faithful ones. |
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1 Corinthians 8:1 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches about the importance of considering the impact of our actions on others, especially the weak in faith, emphasizing the need to prioritize love over knowled |
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The Food Question by T. Austin-Sparks | The preacher delves into the spiritual significance of idols, primarily derived from the Septuagint, where idols are considered products of fantasy and human hands, lacking any rea |