16From there they traveled to Beer; that is the well of which Yahweh said to Moses, “Gather the people together, and I will give them water.”
17Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, well! Sing to it,
18the well, which the princes dug, which the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter, and with their poles.” From the wilderness they traveled to Mattanah;
16 From there they traveled to Beer; that is the well of which Yahweh said to Moses, “Gather the people together, and I will give them water.”
17 Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, well! Sing to it,
18 the well, which the princes dug, which the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter, and with their poles.” From the wilderness they traveled to Mattanah;
KJVKing James Version
16 And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.
17 Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:
18 The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah:
Show all 3 translations
JPSJPS Tanakh (1917)
16 And from thence to Beer; that is the well whereof the LORD said unto Moses: 'Gather the people together, and I will give them water.'
17 Then sang Israel this song: Spring up, O well — sing ye unto it —
18 The well, which the princes digged, which the nobles of the people delved, with the sceptre, and with their staves. And from the wilderness to Mattanah;
Numbers 20:8(v16)“Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, you, and Aaron your brother, and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it pour out its…
Isaiah 12:3(v16)Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Isaiah 41:17-18(v16)The poor and needy seek water, and there is none. Their tongue fails for thirst. I, Yahweh, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will…
Exodus 17:6(v16)Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb. You shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may…
Judges 9:21(v16)Jotham ran away and fled, and went to Beer and lived there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
Show all 30 cross-references
Isaiah 43:20(v16)The animals of the field, the jackals and the ostriches, shall honor me, because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert,…
Revelation 21:6(v16)He said to me, “I have become the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring…
Revelation 22:1(v16)He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,
Revelation 22:17(v16)The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the…
Isaiah 33:22(v18)For Yahweh is our judge. Yahweh is our lawgiver. Yahweh is our king. He will save us.
Isaiah 49:10(v16)They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun strike them: for he who has mercy on them will lead them. He will guide…
John 4:10(v16)Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would…
John 4:14(v16)but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well…
John 7:37-39(v16)Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! He who…
Exodus 15:1-2(v17)Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Yahweh, and said, “I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. He has…
Deuteronomy 5:31(v18)But as for you, stand here by me, and I will tell you all the commandments, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which you shall teach…
Deuteronomy 33:4(v18)Moses commanded us a law, an inheritance for the assembly of Jacob.
Judges 5:1(v17)Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying,
2 Chronicles 17:7-9(v18)Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities…
Psalms 105:2(v17)Sing to him, sing praises to him! Tell of all his marvelous works.
Psalms 106:12(v17)Then they believed his words. They sang his praise.
Isaiah 12:1-2(v17)In that day you will say, “I will give thanks to you, Yahweh; for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you comfort…
Isaiah 12:5(v17)Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth!
John 1:17(v18)For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 6:17-18(v18)Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the…
James 4:12(v18)Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?
James 5:13(v17)Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises.
Numbers 33:45-47(v18)They traveled from Iyim, and encamped in Dibon Gad. They traveled from Dibon Gad, and encamped in Almon Diblathaim. They traveled from…
Nehemiah 3:1(v18)Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the sheep gate. They sanctified it, and set up its…
Nehemiah 3:5(v18)Next to them, the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles didn’t put their necks to the Lord’s work.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (18 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Geneva Bible translators1599 · Public DomainOn vv17–18Ye that receive the commodity thereof, give praise for…
Ye that receive the commodity thereof, give praise for it.
Or, spring.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp1656 · Public DomainOn vv16–18Num 21:16 And from thence [they went] to Beer:…
Num 21:16 And from thence [they went] to Beer: that [is] the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.
Ver. 16. And I will give them water.] Now that they murmured not, they might have anything. {Psa 34:10} Only we must be content to wait God’s time (is it fit to send for the prince by a post?), or to want that particular mercy, if God see it meet, being content that God be glorified, though we be not gratified. Surely if God saw us thus studying his share more than our own, we might have what we would, and God even think himself beholden to us, as one phraseth it.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole1685 · Public DomainOn vv16–18Beer, and Mattanah, Nahaliel, and Bamoth named here, Num…
Beer, and Mattanah, Nahaliel, and Bamoth named here, Num 21:19, are not mentioned among those places where they pitched or encamped, Num 33. Either therefore they did not pitch or encamp in these places, but only pass by or through them, nor indeed is it here said they pitched or encamped in these places, which is said of those places, Num 33, but only that they went to them, Num 21:18; or, these are stations omitted there, and to be supplied from hence; for though it be there said they went from such a place, and pitched in such a place, yet it is not said they went immediately from the one place to the other, and therefore they might take these places in their way.
Will give them water, to wit, in a miraculous manner.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill1763 · Public DomainOn vv16–18Then Israel sang this song,.... Being affected with the…
Then Israel sang this song,.... Being affected with the free favour and good will of God towards them:
spring up, O well; for the springing up of which they prayed in faith, believing in the promise of God, that it would spring up; and so encouraged one another not only to believe it, but even to sing on account of it before it actually did:
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sing ye unto it; or on account of it praise the Lord for it; or "answer to it" (m), it being their manner to sing their songs by responses, or alternately.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley1765 · Public DomainOn vv16–18Beer - This place and Mattanah, Nahaliel, and Bamoth…
Beer - This place and Mattanah, Nahaliel, and Bamoth named here, ver. 19, are not mentioned among those places where they pitched or encamped, chap. xxxiii, 1-49. Probably they did not pitch or encamp in these places, but only pass by or through them. I will give them water - In a miraculous manner. Before they prayed, God granted, and prevented them with the blessings of goodness. And as the brasen serpent was the figure of Christ, so is this well a figure of the spirit, who is poured forth for our comfort, and from him flow rivers of living waters.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke1810 · Public DomainOn vv17–18Verse 17. Spring up, O well, &c.] This is…
Verse 17. Spring up, O well, &c.] This is one of the most ancient war songs in the world, but is not easily understood, which is commonly the case with all very ancient compositions, especially the poetic. See Clarke on Ex 15:1, &c.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson1811 · Public DomainOn v17Num 21:17-18. Spring up — Hebrew, ascend; that is,…
Num 21:17-18. Spring up — Hebrew, ascend; that is, let thy waters, which now lie hid below in the earth, ascend for our use. It is either a prediction that it should spring up, or a prayer that it might. With their staves — Probably as Moses smote the rock with his rod, so they struck the earth with their staves, as a sign that God would cause the water to flow out of the earth where they smote it, as he did before out of the rock. Or, perhaps, they made holes with their staves in the sandy ground, and God caused the water immediately to spring up.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes1834 · Public DomainOn vv16–17Beer is probably the “Well,” afterward known as Beer-elim,…
Beer is probably the “Well,” afterward known as Beer-elim, the “well of heroes” Isa 15:8.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary1859 · Public DomainOn vv16–18Well. Hebrew Beer. (Haydock) --- This station is not…
Well. Hebrew Beer. (Haydock) --- This station is not mentioned under the same name at least, chap. xxxiii. Probably the inhabitants had covered up this well with sand, and God having discovered it to Moses, he informed the princes, who pushed their staves down. Upon which the waters appearing, the people sung a hymn of thanksgiving and joy. Water is very scarce, and, of course, of course, of great value in those deserts, where even still the Arabs conceal their wells, and often fight to hinder passengers from taking any of the water. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown1871 · Public DomainOn vv16–17from thence they went to Beer--that is, a "well."…
from thence they went to Beer--that is, a "well." The name was probably given to it afterwards [see Jdg 9:21], as it is not mentioned (Num. 33:1-56).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon1874 · Public DomainOn vv16–1816. Beer, so called because of the well which…
16. Beer, so called because of the well which was there dug by the princes, is possibly the modern Beer-elim, or “well of heroes.” Isa_15:8.
Gather the people together — They were to be witnesses of the last miraculous production of water. According to Jewish tradition a spot, dry and sandy, was pointed out by Moses. The princes surrounded with their staves the place where the water was to burst forth. The parched soil was pierced by the staves and a cooling stream gushed forth. Later commentators think that there is no trace of a miracle in this account. I will give them water — According to the tradition in part adopted by St. Paul, this was one of the appearances, the last before crossing the Jordan, of the water which had “followed” the people from Rephidim through their wanderings. After Miriam’s death special acts were necessary to evoke the water. See especially 1Co_10:4, note.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1878 · Public DomainOn vv16, 1816. The journey in a westerly, or north-westerly, direction…
16. The journey in a westerly, or north-westerly, direction is here begun.
Beer] The name means a ‘well’ (R.V. marg.). It is probably an abbreviation of a compound name; cf. Beer-sheba. A place called Beer-elim in Moab is mentioned in Isa_15:8, but whether Beer is to be identified with that is not known.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers1878 · Public DomainOn v18(18) By the direction of the lawgiver.—Better, with the…
(18) By the direction of the lawgiver.—Better, with the ruler’s staff. The same word occurs in Gen_49:10, where it stands in parallelism to “the sceptre.” (See Note in loc.)
And from the wilderness they went to Mat-tanah.—The Targums interpret this and Num_21:19-20 of the well, And from the wilderness it was given to them for a gift, and from thence it was given to them in Mattanah, &c. The Targum of Onkelos is as follows: “And from the time that it was given to them, it descended with them to the rivers, &c.” The Targum of Palestine is—“And from the wilderness, &c.” (as above).
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary1880 · Public DomainOn vv16–18And from thence...to Beer. A well; so named, no…
And from thence...to Beer. A well; so named, no doubt, from the circumstance here recorded. That they were told to dig for water instead of receiving it from the rock showed the end to be at hand, and the transition shortly to be made from miraculous to natural supplies.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator1887 · Public DomainOn v16Spring up, O well.
Num_21:16-20
Spring up, O well.
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A song of the pilgrimage
I. The needs of human pilgrimage.
1. How indispensable are the things which we need.
2. How many are the things which we need.
3. How constant are our needs. We may change our place and our circumstances, but we never change our dependent condition.
II. The divine provision for the needs of human pilgrimage.
1. Promised by God.
2. Bestowed in connection with human effort.
3. Enkindled human joy, which was expressed in this song.
4. Suitably commemorated. Let us be eager to perpetuate the memory of our mercies.
III. The continuousness of human pilgrimage. The well was not the goal: a place to halt, but not to settle. (W. Jones.)
A song at the well-head
I. These people required water as we greatly need grace, and there was a promise given concerning the supply. The Lord spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. Beloved, we have a promise. A promise? nay, a thousand promises! Gods people were never in any plight whatever but what there was a promise to meet that condition.
1. The supply promised here was a Divine supply: I will give them water. Who else could satisfy those flocks and herds? By what mechanism or by what human toil could all those multitudes of people have received enough to drink? God can do it, and He will. The supply of grace that you are to receive in your time of need is a Divine supply. You are not to look to man for grace.
2. As it was a Divine supply, so also it was a suitable one. The people were thirsty, and the promise was, I will give them water. What dost thou want? Go and lay open thy needs before the Lord. Tell Him what it is thou requirest, if thou knowest, and then add to thy prayer, And what I know not that I need, yet give me, for Thou art able to do exceeding abundantly above all that I can ask or even think: not according to my apprehension of my necessities, but according to Thy perception of my needs, deal with Thy servant, O Lord, and grant me that which is most suitable to my case. Gather the people together, and I will give them water.
3. Observe, too, that the supply promised was an abundant supply. No child of God shall be left to perish for want of the necessary supplies. I will give them water.
4. As it was a Divine supply, a suitable supply, and an abundant supply, so also it was a sure supply. I will give them water. It is not, I may, perhaps, do it; possibly there shall be refreshment for them; but, I will give them water. Oh! the splendour of the Lords shalls and wills! They never fail.
II. Observe the song. These people had not been singing for years; ever since the day when they had sung at the Red Sea, Sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously, the minstrelsy of Israel had been hushed, except when they danced before the calf of gold; but for their God they had had little or no music. But now they come together to the digging of the well, and the children of Israel sing this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it.
1. This song may be looked upon as the voice of cheerfulness. There was no water, but they were still in good spirits. Supplies were short, but their courage was still great. Cheerfulness in want, cheerfulness upon the bed of pain, cheerfulness under slander, singing, like the nightingale, in the night, praising God when the thorn is at the breast, this is a high Christian attainment, which we should seek after, and not be content without.
2. I like, too, the look of these children of Israel, singing to the Lord before the water came, praising Him while they were yet thirsty, living for a little while upon the recollections of the past, believing that He who smote the rock, and the waters gushed out, and who gave them bread from heaven, would surely supply their needs. Let us pitch a tune and join with them, however low our estate may be.
3. Note, again, that this song was the voice not so much of natural cheerfulness as of cheerfulness sustained by faith. They believed the promise, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. They sang the song of expectation. I think this is one of the peculiar enjoyments of faith, to be the substance of things hoped for. The joy of hope, who shall measure it?
4. This song, also, was no doubt greatly increased in its volume, and more elevated in its tone, when the water did begin to spring. After the elders of the people had digged for awhile, the flowing crystal began to leap into the air; they saw it run over the margin of the well, the multitude pressed around to quench their thirst, and then they sang, Spring up, O well! Flow on, flow on, perennial fount! Flow on, thou wondrous stream Divinely given! Flow on, and let the praises of those who drink, flow also! Sing ye unto it, and ye that drink lift up your songs, and ye that mark your neighbours as their eyes flash with delight as they receive the needed refreshment, let your song increase as you see the joy of others. All ye who have received anything of Divine grace, sing ye unto it! Bless God by singing and praising His name while you are receiving His favours.
III. The song was a prayer. Spring up, O well, was virtually a prayer to God that He would make the well spring up, only it was faiths way of singing her prayer.
1. We would remark of this prayer, that it went at once to the work, and sought for that which was required. What was needed? Not a well, bat water; not mere digging in the sand, but the obtaining and the drinking of the water. Let me remind you that it is very easy for us to forget what it is that we want, and to be satisfied with something short of it. Now, what we need is not the means of grace, but the grace of the means. Strive after vital godliness, real soul-work, the life-giving operation of the Spirit of God in your hearts, or else you may have the well, but you will not have any springings therefrom. Remember, then, it went direct to the point.
2. Notice, also, that this prayer was the prayer of faith, like the song. Now, without faith it is impossible to please God: this is emphatically true with regard to prayer. He who pleads with God in unbelief really insults Hind, and will get no blessing.
3. Notice, further, that it was united prayer. All the people prayed, Spring up, O well! I daresay that was a prayer-meeting at which everybody prayed, for they were all thirsty, and therefore they all said, Spring up, O well! What blessed meetings those are when the souls of all present are in it!
IV. They began with a promise; they turned the promise into a song and into a prayer, and they did not stop there, but then they went to work. God helps them that help themselves, is an old proverb, and it is true with Gods people as well as true of Providence. If we want to have Gods blessing, we must not expect to receive it by lying passive.
1. When God intends to bless a people, effort is always esteemed to be honourable. The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it. They were not ashamed of the work: And when God shall bless a Church and people, they must all feel that it is a very great honour to do anything in the service of God.
2. But it was also effort which was accomplished by very feeble means. They digged the well, and they digged it with their staves--not very first-class tools. Would not the mattock and the spade have been better? Ay, but they did as they were told. They digged with their staves. These, I suppose, were simply their rods, which, like the sheiks in the East, they carried in their hands as an emblem of government, somewhat similar to the crook of the shepherd. These they used, according as they were commanded. Well, we must dig with our staves. We must dig as we can. We must use what abilities we have.
3. It was effort in Gods order. They digged the well by the direction of the lawgiver. We must not serve God according to our fancies. Let us keep close to the good old paths which are laid down in Holy Writ, and, digging the well, we shall get the water.
4. It was effort made in faith. They digged the well, but as they digged it they felt so certain that the water would come that they sang at the work, Spring up, O well! This is the true way to work if we would get a blessing. We must preach in faith, believing that the Word cannot return unto our Master void. We must teach in the Sabbath-school in faith, believing that the children will be led to seek Christ early, and to find Him. We must distribute the tract in faith, believing that if we cast our bread upon the waters, we shall find it after many days. You must take care that you have this faith. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The song at the well
I. The well of salvation choked up with rubbish of superstition and ignorance, technical theologies, dry dissertations, dogmatic controversies, &c.
II. The well of salvation cleared out. A princely and noble work.
III. The work of opening up the well of salvation to men should be done with joyfulness. (Hom. Monthly.)
The song of the well
What is celebrated with such sparkling joy in this little burst of melody is the happy union among all ranks, and the spirit of universal goodwill and co-operation in the work--giving cheerful angury for the future of the tribes in entering on the promised land, and a lively demonstration of popular confidence in their leaders.
1. There is a personal lesson respecting the spirit in which we ought to do our work. When the people were called to bore for water in a novel fashion, how inspiriting it is to read, Then Israel sang this song! This lightened their toil, and helped to prosper the issue. Thank God, He gives us songs in the very night. Let us remember how our Lord Himself, on the eve of His betrayal, and in full view of the bitter Cross, alleviated His sorrows and braced His spirit for the task--He sang a hymn. What a lesson for this work-a-day world, when nothing worth doing can be undertaken without something being endured! But a cheerful heart doeth good like a medicine. And singing is infectious. They sang the song, and they digged the well. So work, and so sing.
2. A social lesson--the blessings of united effort. We are to mark how zealously all ranks joined in the work, and how the leaders led in Israel. When Israel thus laboured, we hear of no disorder. Murmurings were stilled. High and low were full of heart and full of hope, because full of love.
3. A philanthropic lesson--dig a well. This well became a lasting blessing, celebrated in immortal song. A disciple of Mohammed, it is said, came to the prophet one day and asked, What shall I best do as a memorial to my mother who is dead? to which he replied, Dig a well, and call it by her name, and put upon it, This well is for my mother. Beautiful idea! a monument truly serviceable, and therefore sure to last. Some memories are writ in water, but here a mothers name is blissfully perpetuated in supplying the pure refreshing draught to weary wayfarers. This form of good endures like a joy for ever, trickling down from age to age. Dig a well. Whoso giveth a cup of cold water shall in no wise lose his reward.
4. A spiritual lesson. Gather the people to Me; I will give them water. The point here emphasised is the connection between promise, preparation, and prayer, if we would win the privilege of drawing water with joy from the wells of salvation. (A. H. Drysdale, M. A.)
The springing well
This rising fountain may be viewed as a beautiful emblem of the springing up of grace in the heart, when it becomes the subject of the life-giving influences of the Holy Spirit, and which Christ Himself takes occasion to illustrate by the same kind of allusion, when conversing with the Samaritan woman. The water that He will give to them that ask Him is admirably descriptive of the vitality, purity, and perpetuity of grace. The ministers of Christ, as these princes of the people, at the command of God, and under the superintendence of His providence, move the ground, where the water of life springs up and yields the purest satisfaction, and the heart becomes as if itself an inward source of good. How many hearts, through the gift of Christ, have become as wells of living water, rising fountains of spiritual thoughts, and of heavenly affections, sweet and refreshing! It was under the direction of His providence, and the influences of His Spirit, that they have become so. And now, it is only for time to bring forth His eternal purposes, and at the word of His grace the result will be, where least looked for or thought of, as when the fountain of Beer, not before known of, rose at the command, Spring up, O well! This it is that, seen amidst the barren wastes of nature, delights the eye and cheers the heart of every Christian, who not less longs and prays for the life of souls, and the communications of living streams from Christ, than those at this station longed for the cooling spring. (W. Seaton.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield1917 · Public DomainOn v17Then Israel
Then Israel
The spiritual order here is beautiful:
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(1) atonement Num 21:8; Num 21:9; Joh 3:14; Joh 3:15
(2) water, symbol of the Spirit bestowed Num 21:16; Joh 7:37-39.
(3) joy Num 21:17; Num 21:18; Rom 14:17.
(4) power Num 21:21-24.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0On vv16–17to Beer, the well
to Beer, the well
This can be stated as two sentences. AT: "to Beer. There was a well there"
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where Yahweh said to Moses, "Gather the people together for me to give them water."
This can be stated as an indirect quote. AT: "where Yahweh told Moses to gather the people together for him to give them water" (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)
Tyndale Open Study Notes2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0On vv16, 1821:16-18 The location of Beer is unknown (cp. Isa…
21:16-18 The location of Beer is unknown (cp. Isa 15:8). The poetic fragment describes the excavation of a new well and reflects the joy that this occasioned in a semiarid region. That the laborers were princes and leaders and the tools were scepters and staffs may indicate that digging the well included a festive ceremony.
GEBible — Godless Engineer's Bible App
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv17–18 Ye that receive the commodity thereof, give praise for…
Ye that receive the commodity thereof, give praise for it.
Or, spring.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv16–18 Num 21:16 And from thence [they went] to Beer:…
Num 21:16 And from thence [they went] to Beer: that [is] the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.
Ver. 16. And I will give them water.] Now that they murmured not, they might have anything. {Psa 34:10} Only we must be content to wait God’s time (is it fit to send for the prince by a post?), or to want that particular mercy, if God see it meet, being content that God be glorified, though we be not gratified. Surely if God saw us thus studying his share more than our own, we might have what we would, and God even think himself beholden to us, as one phraseth it.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv16–18 Beer, and Mattanah, Nahaliel, and Bamoth named here, Num…
Beer, and Mattanah, Nahaliel, and Bamoth named here, Num 21:19, are not mentioned among those places where they pitched or encamped, Num 33. Either therefore they did not pitch or encamp in these places, but only pass by or through them, nor indeed is it here said they pitched or encamped in these places, which is said of those places, Num 33, but only that they went to them, Num 21:18; or, these are stations omitted there, and to be supplied from hence; for though it be there said they went from such a place, and pitched in such a place, yet it is not said they went immediately from the one place to the other, and therefore they might take these places in their way.
Will give them water, to wit, in a miraculous manner.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv16–18 Then Israel sang this song,.... Being affected with the…
Then Israel sang this song,.... Being affected with the free favour and good will of God towards them:
spring up, O well; for the springing up of which they prayed in faith, believing in the promise of God, that it would spring up; and so encouraged one another not only to believe it, but even to sing on account of it before it actually did:
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sing ye unto it; or on account of it praise the Lord for it; or "answer to it" (m), it being their manner to sing their songs by responses, or alternately.
(m) "respondete ei", Montanus; "alternis canite ei", Tigurine version, Piscator.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv16–18 Beer - This place and Mattanah, Nahaliel, and Bamoth…
Beer - This place and Mattanah, Nahaliel, and Bamoth named here, ver. 19, are not mentioned among those places where they pitched or encamped, chap. xxxiii, 1-49. Probably they did not pitch or encamp in these places, but only pass by or through them. I will give them water - In a miraculous manner. Before they prayed, God granted, and prevented them with the blessings of goodness. And as the brasen serpent was the figure of Christ, so is this well a figure of the spirit, who is poured forth for our comfort, and from him flow rivers of living waters.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv17–18 Verse 17. Spring up, O well, &c.] This is…
Verse 17. Spring up, O well, &c.] This is one of the most ancient war songs in the world, but is not easily understood, which is commonly the case with all very ancient compositions, especially the poetic. See Clarke on Ex 15:1, &c.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v17 Num 21:17-18. Spring up — Hebrew, ascend; that is,…
Num 21:17-18. Spring up — Hebrew, ascend; that is, let thy waters, which now lie hid below in the earth, ascend for our use. It is either a prediction that it should spring up, or a prayer that it might. With their staves — Probably as Moses smote the rock with his rod, so they struck the earth with their staves, as a sign that God would cause the water to flow out of the earth where they smote it, as he did before out of the rock. Or, perhaps, they made holes with their staves in the sandy ground, and God caused the water immediately to spring up.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv16–17 Beer is probably the “Well,” afterward known as Beer-elim,…
Beer is probably the “Well,” afterward known as Beer-elim, the “well of heroes” Isa 15:8.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv16–18 Well. Hebrew Beer. (Haydock) --- This station is not…
Well. Hebrew Beer. (Haydock) --- This station is not mentioned under the same name at least, chap. xxxiii. Probably the inhabitants had covered up this well with sand, and God having discovered it to Moses, he informed the princes, who pushed their staves down. Upon which the waters appearing, the people sung a hymn of thanksgiving and joy. Water is very scarce, and, of course, of course, of great value in those deserts, where even still the Arabs conceal their wells, and often fight to hinder passengers from taking any of the water. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv16–17 from thence they went to Beer--that is, a "well."…
from thence they went to Beer--that is, a "well." The name was probably given to it afterwards [see Jdg 9:21], as it is not mentioned (Num. 33:1-56).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv16–18 16. Beer, so called because of the well which…
16. Beer, so called because of the well which was there dug by the princes, is possibly the modern Beer-elim, or “well of heroes.” Isa_15:8.
Gather the people together — They were to be witnesses of the last miraculous production of water. According to Jewish tradition a spot, dry and sandy, was pointed out by Moses. The princes surrounded with their staves the place where the water was to burst forth. The parched soil was pierced by the staves and a cooling stream gushed forth. Later commentators think that there is no trace of a miracle in this account. I will give them water — According to the tradition in part adopted by St. Paul, this was one of the appearances, the last before crossing the Jordan, of the water which had “followed” the people from Rephidim through their wanderings. After Miriam’s death special acts were necessary to evoke the water. See especially 1Co_10:4, note.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv16, 18 16. The journey in a westerly, or north-westerly, direction…
16. The journey in a westerly, or north-westerly, direction is here begun.
Beer] The name means a ‘well’ (R.V. marg.). It is probably an abbreviation of a compound name; cf. Beer-sheba. A place called Beer-elim in Moab is mentioned in Isa_15:8, but whether Beer is to be identified with that is not known.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On v18 (18) By the direction of the lawgiver.—Better, with the…
(18) By the direction of the lawgiver.—Better, with the ruler’s staff. The same word occurs in Gen_49:10, where it stands in parallelism to “the sceptre.” (See Note in loc.)
And from the wilderness they went to Mat-tanah.—The Targums interpret this and Num_21:19-20 of the well, And from the wilderness it was given to them for a gift, and from thence it was given to them in Mattanah, &c. The Targum of Onkelos is as follows: “And from the time that it was given to them, it descended with them to the rivers, &c.” The Targum of Palestine is—“And from the wilderness, &c.” (as above).
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv16–18 And from thence...to Beer. A well; so named, no…
And from thence...to Beer. A well; so named, no doubt, from the circumstance here recorded. That they were told to dig for water instead of receiving it from the rock showed the end to be at hand, and the transition shortly to be made from miraculous to natural supplies.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v16 Spring up, O well.
Num_21:16-20
Spring up, O well.
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A song of the pilgrimage
I. The needs of human pilgrimage.
1. How indispensable are the things which we need.
2. How many are the things which we need.
3. How constant are our needs. We may change our place and our circumstances, but we never change our dependent condition.
II. The divine provision for the needs of human pilgrimage.
1. Promised by God.
2. Bestowed in connection with human effort.
3. Enkindled human joy, which was expressed in this song.
4. Suitably commemorated. Let us be eager to perpetuate the memory of our mercies.
III. The continuousness of human pilgrimage. The well was not the goal: a place to halt, but not to settle. (W. Jones.)
A song at the well-head
I. These people required water as we greatly need grace, and there was a promise given concerning the supply. The Lord spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. Beloved, we have a promise. A promise? nay, a thousand promises! Gods people were never in any plight whatever but what there was a promise to meet that condition.
1. The supply promised here was a Divine supply: I will give them water. Who else could satisfy those flocks and herds? By what mechanism or by what human toil could all those multitudes of people have received enough to drink? God can do it, and He will. The supply of grace that you are to receive in your time of need is a Divine supply. You are not to look to man for grace.
2. As it was a Divine supply, so also it was a suitable one. The people were thirsty, and the promise was, I will give them water. What dost thou want? Go and lay open thy needs before the Lord. Tell Him what it is thou requirest, if thou knowest, and then add to thy prayer, And what I know not that I need, yet give me, for Thou art able to do exceeding abundantly above all that I can ask or even think: not according to my apprehension of my necessities, but according to Thy perception of my needs, deal with Thy servant, O Lord, and grant me that which is most suitable to my case. Gather the people together, and I will give them water.
3. Observe, too, that the supply promised was an abundant supply. No child of God shall be left to perish for want of the necessary supplies. I will give them water.
4. As it was a Divine supply, a suitable supply, and an abundant supply, so also it was a sure supply. I will give them water. It is not, I may, perhaps, do it; possibly there shall be refreshment for them; but, I will give them water. Oh! the splendour of the Lords shalls and wills! They never fail.
II. Observe the song. These people had not been singing for years; ever since the day when they had sung at the Red Sea, Sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously, the minstrelsy of Israel had been hushed, except when they danced before the calf of gold; but for their God they had had little or no music. But now they come together to the digging of the well, and the children of Israel sing this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it.
1. This song may be looked upon as the voice of cheerfulness. There was no water, but they were still in good spirits. Supplies were short, but their courage was still great. Cheerfulness in want, cheerfulness upon the bed of pain, cheerfulness under slander, singing, like the nightingale, in the night, praising God when the thorn is at the breast, this is a high Christian attainment, which we should seek after, and not be content without.
2. I like, too, the look of these children of Israel, singing to the Lord before the water came, praising Him while they were yet thirsty, living for a little while upon the recollections of the past, believing that He who smote the rock, and the waters gushed out, and who gave them bread from heaven, would surely supply their needs. Let us pitch a tune and join with them, however low our estate may be.
3. Note, again, that this song was the voice not so much of natural cheerfulness as of cheerfulness sustained by faith. They believed the promise, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. They sang the song of expectation. I think this is one of the peculiar enjoyments of faith, to be the substance of things hoped for. The joy of hope, who shall measure it?
4. This song, also, was no doubt greatly increased in its volume, and more elevated in its tone, when the water did begin to spring. After the elders of the people had digged for awhile, the flowing crystal began to leap into the air; they saw it run over the margin of the well, the multitude pressed around to quench their thirst, and then they sang, Spring up, O well! Flow on, flow on, perennial fount! Flow on, thou wondrous stream Divinely given! Flow on, and let the praises of those who drink, flow also! Sing ye unto it, and ye that drink lift up your songs, and ye that mark your neighbours as their eyes flash with delight as they receive the needed refreshment, let your song increase as you see the joy of others. All ye who have received anything of Divine grace, sing ye unto it! Bless God by singing and praising His name while you are receiving His favours.
III. The song was a prayer. Spring up, O well, was virtually a prayer to God that He would make the well spring up, only it was faiths way of singing her prayer.
1. We would remark of this prayer, that it went at once to the work, and sought for that which was required. What was needed? Not a well, bat water; not mere digging in the sand, but the obtaining and the drinking of the water. Let me remind you that it is very easy for us to forget what it is that we want, and to be satisfied with something short of it. Now, what we need is not the means of grace, but the grace of the means. Strive after vital godliness, real soul-work, the life-giving operation of the Spirit of God in your hearts, or else you may have the well, but you will not have any springings therefrom. Remember, then, it went direct to the point.
2. Notice, also, that this prayer was the prayer of faith, like the song. Now, without faith it is impossible to please God: this is emphatically true with regard to prayer. He who pleads with God in unbelief really insults Hind, and will get no blessing.
3. Notice, further, that it was united prayer. All the people prayed, Spring up, O well! I daresay that was a prayer-meeting at which everybody prayed, for they were all thirsty, and therefore they all said, Spring up, O well! What blessed meetings those are when the souls of all present are in it!
IV. They began with a promise; they turned the promise into a song and into a prayer, and they did not stop there, but then they went to work. God helps them that help themselves, is an old proverb, and it is true with Gods people as well as true of Providence. If we want to have Gods blessing, we must not expect to receive it by lying passive.
1. When God intends to bless a people, effort is always esteemed to be honourable. The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it. They were not ashamed of the work: And when God shall bless a Church and people, they must all feel that it is a very great honour to do anything in the service of God.
2. But it was also effort which was accomplished by very feeble means. They digged the well, and they digged it with their staves--not very first-class tools. Would not the mattock and the spade have been better? Ay, but they did as they were told. They digged with their staves. These, I suppose, were simply their rods, which, like the sheiks in the East, they carried in their hands as an emblem of government, somewhat similar to the crook of the shepherd. These they used, according as they were commanded. Well, we must dig with our staves. We must dig as we can. We must use what abilities we have.
3. It was effort in Gods order. They digged the well by the direction of the lawgiver. We must not serve God according to our fancies. Let us keep close to the good old paths which are laid down in Holy Writ, and, digging the well, we shall get the water.
4. It was effort made in faith. They digged the well, but as they digged it they felt so certain that the water would come that they sang at the work, Spring up, O well! This is the true way to work if we would get a blessing. We must preach in faith, believing that the Word cannot return unto our Master void. We must teach in the Sabbath-school in faith, believing that the children will be led to seek Christ early, and to find Him. We must distribute the tract in faith, believing that if we cast our bread upon the waters, we shall find it after many days. You must take care that you have this faith. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The song at the well
I. The well of salvation choked up with rubbish of superstition and ignorance, technical theologies, dry dissertations, dogmatic controversies, &c.
II. The well of salvation cleared out. A princely and noble work.
III. The work of opening up the well of salvation to men should be done with joyfulness. (Hom. Monthly.)
The song of the well
What is celebrated with such sparkling joy in this little burst of melody is the happy union among all ranks, and the spirit of universal goodwill and co-operation in the work--giving cheerful angury for the future of the tribes in entering on the promised land, and a lively demonstration of popular confidence in their leaders.
1. There is a personal lesson respecting the spirit in which we ought to do our work. When the people were called to bore for water in a novel fashion, how inspiriting it is to read, Then Israel sang this song! This lightened their toil, and helped to prosper the issue. Thank God, He gives us songs in the very night. Let us remember how our Lord Himself, on the eve of His betrayal, and in full view of the bitter Cross, alleviated His sorrows and braced His spirit for the task--He sang a hymn. What a lesson for this work-a-day world, when nothing worth doing can be undertaken without something being endured! But a cheerful heart doeth good like a medicine. And singing is infectious. They sang the song, and they digged the well. So work, and so sing.
2. A social lesson--the blessings of united effort. We are to mark how zealously all ranks joined in the work, and how the leaders led in Israel. When Israel thus laboured, we hear of no disorder. Murmurings were stilled. High and low were full of heart and full of hope, because full of love.
3. A philanthropic lesson--dig a well. This well became a lasting blessing, celebrated in immortal song. A disciple of Mohammed, it is said, came to the prophet one day and asked, What shall I best do as a memorial to my mother who is dead? to which he replied, Dig a well, and call it by her name, and put upon it, This well is for my mother. Beautiful idea! a monument truly serviceable, and therefore sure to last. Some memories are writ in water, but here a mothers name is blissfully perpetuated in supplying the pure refreshing draught to weary wayfarers. This form of good endures like a joy for ever, trickling down from age to age. Dig a well. Whoso giveth a cup of cold water shall in no wise lose his reward.
4. A spiritual lesson. Gather the people to Me; I will give them water. The point here emphasised is the connection between promise, preparation, and prayer, if we would win the privilege of drawing water with joy from the wells of salvation. (A. H. Drysdale, M. A.)
The springing well
This rising fountain may be viewed as a beautiful emblem of the springing up of grace in the heart, when it becomes the subject of the life-giving influences of the Holy Spirit, and which Christ Himself takes occasion to illustrate by the same kind of allusion, when conversing with the Samaritan woman. The water that He will give to them that ask Him is admirably descriptive of the vitality, purity, and perpetuity of grace. The ministers of Christ, as these princes of the people, at the command of God, and under the superintendence of His providence, move the ground, where the water of life springs up and yields the purest satisfaction, and the heart becomes as if itself an inward source of good. How many hearts, through the gift of Christ, have become as wells of living water, rising fountains of spiritual thoughts, and of heavenly affections, sweet and refreshing! It was under the direction of His providence, and the influences of His Spirit, that they have become so. And now, it is only for time to bring forth His eternal purposes, and at the word of His grace the result will be, where least looked for or thought of, as when the fountain of Beer, not before known of, rose at the command, Spring up, O well! This it is that, seen amidst the barren wastes of nature, delights the eye and cheers the heart of every Christian, who not less longs and prays for the life of souls, and the communications of living streams from Christ, than those at this station longed for the cooling spring. (W. Seaton.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v17 Then Israel
Then Israel
The spiritual order here is beautiful:
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(1) atonement Num 21:8; Num 21:9; Joh 3:14; Joh 3:15
(2) water, symbol of the Spirit bestowed Num 21:16; Joh 7:37-39.
(3) joy Num 21:17; Num 21:18; Rom 14:17.
(4) power Num 21:21-24.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv16–17 to Beer, the well
to Beer, the well
This can be stated as two sentences. AT: "to Beer. There was a well there"
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where Yahweh said to Moses, "Gather the people together for me to give them water."
This can be stated as an indirect quote. AT: "where Yahweh told Moses to gather the people together for him to give them water" (See: Direct and Indirect Quotations)
translationWords
cistern
Moses
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv16, 18 21:16-18 The location of Beer is unknown (cp. Isa…
21:16-18 The location of Beer is unknown (cp. Isa 15:8). The poetic fragment describes the excavation of a new well and reflects the joy that this occasioned in a semiarid region. That the laborers were princes and leaders and the tools were scepters and staffs may indicate that digging the well included a festive ceremony.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.