Numbers 21:21
New International Version
Israel sent messengers to say to Sihon king of the Amorites:

New Living Translation
The Israelites sent ambassadors to King Sihon of the Amorites with this message:

English Standard Version
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

Berean Standard Bible
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

Berean Literal Bible
And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorite, saying,

King James Bible
And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

New King James Version
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

New American Standard Bible
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying,

NASB 1995
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying,

NASB 1977
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying,

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying,

Amplified Bible
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying,

Berean Annotated Bible
Then Israel (he wrestles with God) sent messengers to Sihon (warrior) king of the Amorites (sayers), saying,

Christian Standard Bible
Israel sent messengers to say to King Sihon of the Amorites,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Israel sent messengers to say to Sihon king of the Amorites: “

American Standard Version
And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

Contemporary English Version
The Israelites sent this message to King Sihon of the Amorites:

English Revised Version
And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Israel sent messengers to say to King Sihon of the Amorites,

Good News Translation
Then the people of Israel sent messengers to the Amorite king Sihon to say:

International Standard Version
Later, Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who conveyed this request:

NET Bible
Then Israel sent messengers to King Sihon of the Amorites, saying,

New Heart English Bible
Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

Webster's Bible Translation
And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

World English Bible
Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Israel sends messengers to Sihon king of the Amorite, saying,

Berean Literal Bible
And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorite, saying,

Young's Literal Translation
And Israel sendeth messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorite, saying,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Israel will send messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Israel sent messengers to Sehon king of the Amorrhites, saying:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon, the king of the Amorites, saying:

New American Bible
Now Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, with the message,

New Revised Standard Version
Then Israel sent messengers to King Sihon of the Amorites, saying,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Israel sent Messengers to Sihon the King of the Amorites and said to him:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
We will pass through thy land, we will go by the road; we will not turn aside to the field or to the vineyard.

Additional Translations ...



Context
The Defeat of Sihon
21Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, 22“Let us pass through your land. We will not cut through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.”…

Cross References
Then Israel sent messengers

Deuteronomy 2:26
So from the Wilderness of Kedemoth I sent messengers with an offer of peace to Sihon king of Heshbon, saying,

Judges 11:19
And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon, and said to him, ‘Please let us pass through your land into our own place.’
to Sihon king of the Amorites,

Joshua 12:2
Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon. He ruled from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along the middle of the valley, up to the Jabbok River (the border of the Ammonites), that is, half of Gilead,

Psalm 136:19
Sihon king of the Amorites His loving devotion endures forever.

Psalm 135:11
Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan.
saying,

Deuteronomy 2:27-29
“Let us pass through your land; we will stay on the main road. We will not turn to the right or to the left. / You can sell us food to eat and water to drink in exchange for silver. Only let us pass through on foot, / just as the descendants of Esau who live in Seir and the Moabites who live in Ar did for us, until we cross the Jordan into the land that the LORD our God is giving us.”

Deuteronomy 20:10
When you approach a city to fight against it, you are to make an offer of peace.
Joshua 13:10-12
and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the border of the Ammonites; / also Gilead and the territory of the Geshurites and Maacathites, all of Mount Hermon, and all Bashan as far as Salecah— / the whole kingdom of Og in Bashan, who had reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei and had remained as a remnant of the Rephaim. Moses had struck them down and dispossessed them,

Psalm 135:10-12
He struck down many nations and slaughtered mighty kings: / Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan. / He gave their land as an inheritance, as a heritage to His people Israel.

Psalm 136:17-22
He struck down great kings His loving devotion endures forever. / and slaughtered mighty kings—His loving devotion endures forever. / Sihon king of the Amorites His loving devotion endures forever. …

Amos 2:9-10
Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, though his height was like that of the cedars, and he was as strong as the oaks. Yet I destroyed his fruit above and his roots below. / And I brought you up from the land of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness, that you might take possession of the land of the Amorite.

Nehemiah 9:22
You gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner of the land. So they took the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and of Og king of Bashan.

Isaiah 15:1-9
This is the burden against Moab: Ar in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! Kir in Moab is devastated, destroyed in a night! / Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off. / In its streets they wear sackcloth; on the rooftops and in the public squares they all wail, falling down weeping. …

Jeremiah 48:1-47
Concerning Moab, this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Woe to Nebo, for it will be devastated. Kiriathaim will be captured and disgraced; the fortress will be shattered and dismantled. / There is no longer praise for Moab; in Heshbon they devise evil against her: ‘Come, let us cut her off from nationhood.’ You too, O people of Madmen, will be silenced; the sword will pursue you. / A voice cries out from Horonaim: ‘Devastation and great destruction!’ …

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.


Treasury of Scripture

And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

Numbers 20:14-19
And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us: …

Deuteronomy 2:26-28
And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying, …

Judges 11:19-21
And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land into my place…

Jump to Previous
Amorite Amorites Messengers Sihon
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Amorite Amorites Messengers Sihon
Numbers 21
1. Israel destroys the Canaanites at Hormah
4. 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 Israel sent messengers

As Israel traveled toward the Promised Land, they sought peaceful passage through neighboring territory rather than immediate conflict. This followed their earlier attempt to obtain passage through Edom.

Deu 2:26 So from the Wilderness of Kedemoth I sent messengers…
Jdg 11:19 And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites…

to Sihon king of the Amorites,

Sihon ruled an Amorite kingdom centered at Heshbon, east of the Jordan River. His land stood along Israel’s route and controlled important territory that Israel would later possess.

Jos 12:2 Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.…
Psa 136:19 Sihon king of the Amorites His loving devotion…
Psa 135:11 Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan…

saying,

Israel delivered a formal request explaining their intentions and asking to travel through Sihon’s land without harming its people or taking its resources.

Deu 2:27-29 Let us pass through your land; we will stay…
Deu 20:10 When you approach a city to fight against it,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Israel
The nation chosen by God, consisting of the descendants of Jacob, who are journeying to the Promised Land.

2. Messengers
Representatives sent by Israel to communicate with Sihon, indicating a diplomatic approach.

3. Sihon
The king of the Amorites, a significant figure in the account as he controls the territory Israel seeks to pass through.

4. Amorites
A group of ancient people living in the land east of the Jordan River, often seen as adversaries to Israel.

5. Diplomatic Request
The event where Israel seeks peaceful passage through the Amorite territory, highlighting their initial desire to avoid conflict.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Seeking Peace
Israel's initial approach to Sihon demonstrates the value of seeking peaceful resolutions before resorting to conflict. As believers, we are called to pursue peace in our interactions with others.

God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs
The account shows God's control over the situation, as seen in Deuteronomy 2:30, where God hardens Sihon's heart. This reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even when human plans seem to fail.

The Role of Obedience and Faith
Israel's journey and their interactions with other nations require obedience to God's commands and faith in His promises. We are encouraged to trust God's guidance in our own journeys.

The Consequences of Rejection
Sihon's refusal to allow Israel passage leads to his downfall. This serves as a warning about the consequences of rejecting God's people and purposes.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Numbers 21:21?

2. How does Numbers 21:21 demonstrate God's guidance in Israel's diplomatic efforts?

3. What lessons on conflict resolution can we learn from Numbers 21:21?

4. How does Numbers 21:21 connect with Jesus' teachings on peace in Matthew 5:9?

5. How can believers today apply the principles of diplomacy from Numbers 21:21?

6. In what ways does Numbers 21:21 encourage trust in God's plan for leadership?

7. What historical evidence supports the events described in Numbers 21:21?

8. How does Numbers 21:21 reflect God's relationship with Israel?

9. What is the theological significance of Israel's request in Numbers 21:21?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 21?


Verse 21. - And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon. The narrative here returns to the point of time when the Israelites first reached the Upper Arnon, the boundary stream of the kingdom of Sihon (see on verse 13, and cf. Deuteronomy 2:24-37). The list of stations in the preceding verses may probably have been copied out of some official record; it may be considered as marking the movements of the tabernacle with Eleazar and the Levites and the mass of the non-combatant population. In the mean time the armies of Israel were engaged in victorious enterprises which took them far afield. King of the Amorites. The Amorites were not akin to the Hebrews, as the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites were, who all claimed descent from Terah. They were of the Canaanitish stock (Genesis 10:16), and indeed the name Amorite often appears as synonymous with Canaanite in its larger sense (Deuteronomy 1:7, 19, 27, etc.). If at one time they are mentioned side by side with five or six other tribes of the same stock (Exodus 34:11), yet at another they seem to be so much the representative race that "the Ammorite" stands for the inhabitants of Canaan in general whom Israel was commissioned to oust on account of his iniquity (Genesis 15:16). It is not, therefore, possible to draw any certain distinction between the Amorites of Sihon's kingdom and the mass of the Canaanites on the other side Jordan. Both Sihon and his people appear as intruders in this region, having come down perhaps from the northern parts of Palestine, and having but recently (it would seem) wrested from the king of Moab all his territory north of Arnon. It was the fact of the Amorites being found here which led to the conquest and settlement of the trans-Jordanic territory. That territory was not apparently included in the original gift (compare Numbers 34:2-12 with Genesis 10:19 and Genesis 15:19-21), but since the Amorite had possessed himself of it, it must pass with all the rest of his habitation to the chosen people.

Numbers 21:21 highlights Israel’s respectful diplomacy, even while standing on God’s promises. The verse portrays a nation acting honorably under divine guidance, offering peace before war, and trusting the Lord to open or close doors. Sihon’s response will reveal his heart and propel Israel toward the fulfillment of God’s covenant plan.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

messengers
מַלְאָכִ֔ים (mal·’ā·ḵîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Sihon
סִיחֹ֥ן (sî·ḥōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5511: Sihon -- a king of the Amorites

king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of the Amorites,
הָאֱמֹרִ֖י (hā·’ĕ·mō·rî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 567: Amorites -- perhaps 'mountain dwellers', a Canaanite tribe

saying,
לֵאמֹֽר׃ (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say


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OT Law: Numbers 21:21 Israel sent messengers to Sihon king (Nu Num.)

Numbers 21:20
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