Numbers 21:8-9
And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This instruction reveals God's deliberate choice of an unconventional remedy: a serpent, the very source of their affliction, made into a symbol of healing. This highlights how God often uses the very things that seem to represent our sin or brokenness to become the means of our restoration, turning the instruments of death into instruments of life.
After a long and discouraging journey around Edom, the Israelites began complaining bitterly against God and Moses, despising the manna and wishing they had died in Egypt. In response, God sent fiery serpents that bit many, causing death, leading the people to confess their sin and ask Moses to intercede. God then instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole, promising that anyone bitten who looked at it would live.
Understand the original words
nechosheth · Hebrew Noun
A metal alloy often associated with strength and endurance in the Old Testament. Its use here points to the symbolic nature of the object—a constructed representation rather than a living creature—serving as a focal point for faith in God's provision.
nabat · Hebrew Verb
The physical act of looking toward the object God provided, which served as an outward expression of inward faith and obedience. It signifies trust in God's specific command for deliverance.
chayah · Hebrew Verb
To experience physical or spiritual existence; in a covenantal context, it often implies more than just survival, indicating vitality, restoration, and the enjoyment of the blessings of God's presence.
This event highlights God's judgment on sin but also His provision for salvation through a divinely appointed means. The bronze serpent, though seemingly irrational, served as a powerful symbol pointing towards Christ's future sacrifice on the cross for the healing of all who believe.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites Journey Around Edom
After leaving Mount Hor, the Israelites are forbidden to pass through Edom and must take a long, circuitous route. This discourages the people and leads to their rebellion against God and Moses.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Fiery Serpents Sent Among Israelites
In response to the people's grumbling and sin, God sends venomous, fiery serpents into the Israelite camp. Many people are bitten and die.
c. 1446 BC
Moses Intercedes and Obtains Divine Remedy
The people repent and ask Moses to pray for them. God instructs Moses to make a bronze serpent and place it on a pole, stating that anyone bitten who looks at it will live.
c. 1446 BC
Bronze Serpent Used for Healing
Moses makes a bronze serpent and sets it on a standard. Those bitten by the fiery serpents look at the bronze serpent and are healed, demonstrating God's power through an unlikely means.
Jesus directly references this event, explaining that just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, He Himself would be lifted up to bring salvation.
Galatians 3:13This passage explains that Christ became a curse for us, echoing the imagery of the serpent (which represented a curse to the bitten Israelites) being lifted up to remove the curse of sin.
Romans 8:3This verse states that God sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to deal with sin, paralleling how the bronze serpent, though shaped like the deadly serpents, was harmless and a means of life.
1 Corinthians 1:18This verse speaks of the message of the cross as foolishness to those who are perishing but the power of God to those who are being saved, much like the seemingly absurd remedy of looking at a bronze serpent for healing.
clarkeNumbers 21:8: "And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live."
Make thee a fiery serpent - Literally, make thee a seraph. And put it upon a pole - על נס al nes, upon a standard or ensign.
calvinNumbers 21:4-20: "And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way."
And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
Itaque loquutus est populus contra Deum et Mosen, Ut quid ascendere nos fecistis ex Aegypto, ut more…
This instruction reveals God's deliberate choice of an unconventional remedy: a serpent, the very source of their affliction, made into a symbol of healing. This highlights how God often uses the very things that seem to represent our sin or brokenness to become the means of our restoration, turning the instruments of death into instruments of life.
After a long and discouraging journey around Edom, the Israelites began complaining bitterly against God and Moses, despising the manna and wishing they had died in Egypt. In response, God sent fiery serpents that bit many, causing death, leading the people to confess their sin and ask Moses to intercede. God then instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole, promising that anyone bitten who looked at it would live.
After a long and discouraging journey around Edom, the Israelites began complaining bitterly against God and Moses, despising the manna and wishing they had died in Egypt. In response, God sent fiery serpents that bit many, causing death, leading the people to confess their sin and ask Moses to intercede. God then instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole, promising that anyone bitten who looked at it would live.
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c. 1446 BC
Israelites Continue Journey
Following this event, the Israelites continue their journey, moving through various stations in the wilderness toward the plains of Moab.
"And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze…" — This instruction reveals God's deliberate choice of an unconventional remedy: a serpent, the very source of their affliction, made into a symbol of healing. This highlights how God often uses the ver…
