Numbers 21:1-9 ▼

1 When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming on the Atharim road, he fought against Israel and captured some prisoners.

2 Then Israel made a vow to the LORD , “If You will deliver this people into our hands, we will completely destroy their cities.”

3 The LORD listened to Israel’s request, the Canaanites were defeated, and Israel completely destroyed them and their cities. So they named the place Hormah.

4 Then they set out from Mount Hor by way of the Red Sea to bypass the land of Edom, but the people became impatient because of the journey.

5 The people spoke against God and Moses: “ Why have you led us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food! ”

6 Then the LORD sent poisonous snakes among the people, and they bit them so that many Israelites died.

7 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.

8 Then the LORD said to Moses, “ Make a snake image and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will recover.”

9 So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever someone was bitten, and he looked at the bronze snake, he recovered.