Commentaries:

Adam Clarke

<< Numbers 21:17

Numbers 21:19 >>

Numbers 21:18

The princes digged the well - with their staves - This is not easily understood. Who can suppose that the princes dug this well with their staves? And is there any other idea conveyed by our translation? The word chapharu , which is translated they digged, should be rendered they searched out, which is a frequent meaning of the root; and bemishanotham , which we render with their staves, should be translated on their borders or confines, from the root shaan , to lie along. With these corrections the whole song may be read thus: -

Spring up, O well! Answer ye to it.

The well, the princes searched it out.

The nobles of the people have digged it.

By a decree, upon their own borders

This is the whole of the quotation from what is called the book of the wars of the Lord. But see Dr. Kennicott' s remarks at the end of this chapter.

 

<< Numbers 21:17

Numbers 21:19 >>

DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.

		The Berean: Daily Verse and Comment Sign up for the Berean: Daily Verse and Comment, and have Biblical truth delivered to your inbox. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. See what over 155,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. Email Address:     A Faithful VersionKing James VersionNew International VersionNew King James Version Leave this field empty
We respect your privacy. Your email address will not be sold, distributed, rented, or in any way given out to a third party. We have nothing to sell. You may easily unsubscribe at any time.