Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. New Living Translation Then the people came to Moses and cried out, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take away the snakes.” So Moses prayed for the people. English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people. Berean Literal Bible And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against YHWH and against you. Pray to YHWH, that He take away from us the serpents.” And Moses prayed for the people. King James Bible Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. New King James Version Therefore 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. New American Standard Bible So the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and against you; intercede with the LORD, that He will remove the serpents from us.” And Moses interceded for the people. NASB 1995 So the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you; intercede with the LORD, that He may remove the serpents from us.” And Moses interceded for the people. NASB 1977 So the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you; intercede with the LORD, that He may remove the serpents from us.” And Moses interceded for the people. Legacy Standard Bible Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned because we have spoken against Yahweh and against you; pray to Yahweh, that He may remove the serpents from us.” And Moses prayed for the people. Amplified Bible So the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD, so that He will remove the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. Berean Annotated Bible Then the people came to Moses (drawn out) and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD {YHWH} and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us. So Moses interceded for the people. Christian Standard Bible The people then came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so that he will take the snakes away from us.” And Moses interceded for the people. Holman Christian Standard Bible The people then came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so that He will take the snakes away from us.” And Moses interceded for the people. American Standard Version And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, because we have spoken against Jehovah, and against thee; pray unto Jehovah, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. Contemporary English Version Some of the people went to Moses and admitted, "It was wrong of us to insult you and the LORD. Now please ask him to make these snakes go away." Moses prayed, English Revised Version And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. GOD'S WORD® Translation The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we criticized the LORD and you. Pray to the LORD so that he will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people. Good News Translation The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Now pray to the LORD to take these snakes away." So Moses prayed for the people. International Standard Version Then the people approached Moses and admitted, "We've sinned by speaking against the LORD and you. Pray to the LORD, that he'll remove the serpents from us." So Moses prayed in behalf of the people. NET Bible Then 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 would take away the snakes from us." So Moses prayed for the people. New Heart English Bible The people came to Moses, and said, "We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD, and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us." Moses prayed for the people. Webster's Bible Translation Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people. World English Bible The people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against Yahweh and against you. Pray to Yahweh, that he take away the serpents from us.” Moses prayed for the people. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the people come to Moses and say, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against YHWH and against you; pray to YHWH that He turns the serpent aside from us”; and Moses prays in behalf of the people. Berean Literal Bible And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against YHWH and against you. Pray to YHWH, that He take away from us the serpents.” And Moses prayed for the people. Young's Literal Translation and the people come in unto Moses and say, 'We have sinned, for we have spoken against Jehovah, and against thee; pray unto Jehovah, and He doth turn aside from us the serpent;' and Moses prayeth in behalf of the people. Smith's Literal Translation And the people will come to Moses, and they will say, We sinned, for we spake against Jehovah and against thee; wilt thou pray to Jehovah and he will remove the serpent from us? And Moses will pray for the people. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleUpon which they came to Moses, and said: We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and thee: pray that he may take away these serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. Catholic Public Domain Version And so they went to Moses, and they said: “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray, so that he may take away these serpents from us.” And Moses prayed for the people. New American Bible Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. Pray to the LORD to take the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people, New Revised Standard Version The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTherefore the people came to Moses and said to him, We have sinned, for we have murmured against the LORD and against you; pray before the LORD, that he take the serpents away from us. And Moses prayed for the people. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the people came to Moshe and they said to him: “We have sinned, for we have complained against LORD JEHOVAH, also against you; pray before LORD JEHOVAH and he will remove the snakes from us.” And Moshe prayed for the people. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the people came to Moses, and said: 'We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that He take away the serpents from us.' And Moses prayed for the people. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the people came to Moses and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee: pray therefore to the Lord, and let him take away the serpent from us. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Bronze Serpent…6So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died. 7Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people. 8Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.”… Cross References Then the people came to Moses and said, Jeremiah 42:1-3 Then all the commanders of the forces, along with Johanan son of Kareah, Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest, approached / Jeremiah the prophet and said, “May our petition come before you; pray to the LORD your God on behalf of this entire remnant. For few of us remain of the many, as you can see with your own eyes. / Pray that the LORD your God will tell us the way we should walk and the thing we should do.” 1 Samuel 12:19 They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.” “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Exodus 10:16 Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you. 1 Samuel 15:24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Numbers 14:40-41 Early the next morning they got up and went up toward the ridge of the hill country. “We have indeed sinned,” they said, “but we will go to the place the LORD has promised.” / But Moses said, “Why are you transgressing the commandment of the LORD? This will not succeed! Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” Exodus 8:8 Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to the LORD to take the frogs away from me and my people. Then I will let your people go, that they may sacrifice to the LORD.” Exodus 8:28 Pharaoh answered, “I will let you go and sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness, but you must not go very far. Now pray for me.” Exodus 9:28 Pray to the LORD, for there has been enough of God’s thunder and hail. I will let you go; you do not need to stay any longer.” So Moses interceded for the people. Exodus 32:11-14 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? / Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people. / Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’” … Exodus 34:9 “O Lord,” he said, “if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, my Lord, please go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our iniquity and sin, and take us as Your inheritance.” Psalm 106:23 So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them. 2 Chronicles 7:14 and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. Jeremiah 15:1 Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My heart would not go out to this people. Send them from My presence, and let them go! Ezekiel 22:30 I searched for a man among them to repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, so that I should not destroy it. But I found no one. James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Treasury of Scripture Therefore 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. And Moses prayed for the people. we have Exodus 9:27,28 And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked… 1 Samuel 12:19 And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. 1 Samuel 15:24,30 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice… pray Exodus 8:8,28 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD… 1 Kings 13:6 And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before. Jeremiah 37:3 And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us. and Moses Numbers 11:2 And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched. Numbers 14:17-20 And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, … Genesis 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. Jump to Previous Crying Intercede Moses Prayed Prayer Remove Serpents Sinned Snakes WrongJump to Next Crying Intercede Moses Prayed Prayer Remove Serpents Sinned Snakes WrongNumbers 21 1. Israel destroys the Canaanites at Hormah4. The people murmuring are plagued with fiery serpents 7. They repenting are healed by a bronze serpent 10. Various journeys of the Israelites 21. Sihon is overcome 33. And Og Then the people came to Moses and said, This phrase indicates a moment of realization and repentance among the Israelites. The act of coming to Moses signifies acknowledgment of his leadership and their need for mediation. In the broader context of the wilderness journey, the Israelites often approached Moses when they faced dire situations, recognizing his role as God's appointed leader and mediator. “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe people of Israel, who were journeying through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. They often struggled with faith and obedience. 2. Moses The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. He served as a mediator between God and the Israelites. 3. The LORD The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who delivered the Israelites from Egypt and guided them through the wilderness. 4. The Snakes Fiery serpents sent by God as a judgment upon the Israelites for their complaints and rebellion. 5. The Wilderness The desert area where the Israelites wandered for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith. Teaching Points The Consequences of SinSin has real consequences, as seen with the fiery serpents. Our actions against God and His appointed leaders can lead to judgment. The Role of Intercession Moses' intercession for the people highlights the importance of prayer and mediation. We are called to intercede for others, following Moses' example. Repentance and Confession The Israelites' acknowledgment of their sin is a crucial step in seeking God's mercy. True repentance involves recognizing our wrongs and turning back to God. God's Mercy and Forgiveness Despite their rebellion, God provided a means of healing through Moses' intercession. This demonstrates God's readiness to forgive when we repent. Faith in God's Provision The Israelites had to look at the bronze serpent to be healed, symbolizing faith in God's provision. Similarly, we must look to Christ for our spiritual healing. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 21:7?2. How does Numbers 21:7 demonstrate the importance of seeking God's forgiveness through prayer? 3. What can we learn about God's mercy from the Israelites' plea in Numbers 21:7? 4. How does Moses' intercession in Numbers 21:7 connect to Christ's role as mediator? 5. In what ways can we apply the Israelites' repentance in Numbers 21:7 today? 6. How does Numbers 21:7 encourage us to respond when we recognize our sinfulness? 7. Why did the Israelites ask Moses to intercede with God in Numbers 21:7? 8. How does Numbers 21:7 illustrate the power of intercessory prayer? 9. What does Numbers 21:7 reveal about the Israelites' relationship with God? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 21? 11. What is the biblical perspective on snakes? 12. John 3:14–15 references Moses lifting up the serpent; is there archeological or historical evidence to verify this event and its connection to Jesus? 13. What is the story of the Bronze Serpent? 14. Does the severity of punishment in Numbers 16 align with the New Testament portrayal of a forgiving God? What Does Numbers 21:7 Mean Then the people came to Moses• Israel’s first step is movement toward God’s appointed leader rather than further retreat into complaint (Exodus 15:24; Numbers 11:2). • Their approach signals humility; the community recognizes Moses’ God-given authority. • Genuine repentance always includes turning back toward the one we have wronged, whether human or divine (Matthew 5:23-24). “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you” • The confession is specific: “speaking against” points to grumbling that questioned God’s character and Moses’ leadership (Numbers 14:2-4). • Admitting sin against both God and His servant reflects the double-edged nature of rebellion—vertical and horizontal (Psalm 51:4; 1 John 1:9). • This honesty contrasts with earlier episodes when blame was shifted instead of owned (Exodus 32:22-24). “Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us” • Judgment (venomous serpents) has produced a clear sense of need; discipline aims at restoration, not destruction (Hebrews 12:5-11). • They plead for a mediator—foreshadowing the greater Mediator, Jesus Christ, who stands between sinners and holy God (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25). • Their request for removal of consequence shows human instinct, yet God will answer by providing a remedy (the bronze serpent) rather than immediate removal, teaching trust (Numbers 21:8-9; John 3:14-15). So Moses interceded for the people • Without delay, Moses prays; past grievances don’t harden his heart (Exodus 32:31-32; Deuteronomy 9:18-20). • His intercession pictures Christ’s continuing advocacy for believers (Romans 8:34). • God’s answer affirms that He hears repentant people when a righteous mediator appeals (Psalm 106:23). summary Numbers 21:7 records Israel’s decisive turn from rebellion to repentance. They approach Moses, confess specific sin against God and His servant, and beg for intercession. Moses models Christ-like mediation, praying on their behalf. The verse teaches that genuine repentance involves acknowledgment of sin, appeal to God through His appointed mediator, and trust in God’s gracious provision for salvation. Verse 7. - Pray unto the Lord. This is the first and only (recorded) occasion on which the people directly asked for the intercession of Moses (cf., however, chapter Numbers 11:2), although Pharaoh had done so several times, and never in vain.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then the peopleהָעָ֨ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock came וַיָּבֹא֩ (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Moses מֹשֶׁ֜ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver and said, וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say “We have sinned חָטָ֗אנוּ (ḥā·ṭā·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn by כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction speaking דִבַּ֤רְנוּ (ḏib·bar·nū) Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue against the LORD בַֽיהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel and against you. וָבָ֔ךְ (wā·ḇāḵ) Conjunctive waw | Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew Intercede הִתְפַּלֵּל֙ (hiṯ·pal·lêl) Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray with אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the LORD יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel to take the snakes הַנָּחָ֑שׁ (han·nā·ḥāš) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5175: A serpent away וְיָסֵ֥ר (wə·yā·sêr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular Strong's 5493: To turn aside from us.” מֵעָלֵ֖ינוּ (mê·‘ā·lê·nū) Preposition-m | first person common plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against So Moses מֹשֶׁ֖ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver interceded וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל (way·yiṯ·pal·lêl) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray for בְּעַ֥ד (bə·‘aḏ) Preposition Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for the people. הָעָֽם׃ (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock Links Numbers 21:7 NIVNumbers 21:7 NLT Numbers 21:7 ESV Numbers 21:7 NASB Numbers 21:7 KJV Numbers 21:7 BibleApps.com Numbers 21:7 Biblia Paralela Numbers 21:7 Chinese Bible Numbers 21:7 French Bible Numbers 21:7 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 21:7 The people came to Moses and said (Nu Num.) |
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