The Meaning of Numbers 21:6 Explained

Numbers 21:6

KJV: And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

YLT: And Jehovah sendeth among the people the burning serpents, and they bite the people, and much people of Israel die;

Darby: Then Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, which bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

ASV: And Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

What is the context of Numbers 21:6?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And the LORD  sent  fiery  serpents  among the people,  and they bit  the people;  and much  people  of Israel  died. 

What does Numbers 21:6 Mean?

Context Summary

Numbers 21:1-20 - The Brazen Serpent Journeying To Pisgah
It often falls to our lot to compass the land of Edom! It is bad enough to have to fight the desert tribes, but it is harder to traverse the long circuitous route, which a little kindness on our brother's part might have rendered needless. What discouragement, heart-break and fainting we cause one another!
The story of the brazen serpent was quoted by our Lord to Nicodemus, John 3:14. It exemplifies the law that like cures like. Our Lord came in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, and as such was nailed to the tree, that the progress of sin and death might be arrested. Whosoever directs to Him the look of faith shall have everlasting life.
Near the pole-foot sprang up the brook, Numbers 21:17-18. We are reminded of the connection between the Cross and Pentecost. Spring up, O well of the Holy Spirit, in our hearts, and churches, and schools! The living water is within; summon it! [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Numbers 21:6 mean?

So sent Yahweh among the people - serpents fiery and they bit - the people and died The people many of Israel
וַיְשַׁלַּ֨ח יְהוָ֜ה בָּעָ֗ם אֵ֚ת הַנְּחָשִׁ֣ים הַשְּׂרָפִ֔ים וַֽיְנַשְּׁכ֖וּ אֶת־ הָעָ֑ם וַיָּ֥מָת עַם־ רָ֖ב מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל

וַיְשַׁלַּ֨ח  So  sent 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁלַח  
Sense: to send, send away, let go, stretch out.
יְהוָ֜ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
בָּעָ֗ם  among  the  people 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
אֵ֚ת  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הַנְּחָשִׁ֣ים  serpents 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: נָחָשׁ  
Sense: serpent, snake.
הַשְּׂרָפִ֔ים  fiery 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: שָׂרָף  
Sense: serpent, fiery serpent.
וַֽיְנַשְּׁכ֖וּ  and  they  bit 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: נָשַׁךְ 
Sense: to bite.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הָעָ֑ם  the  people 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
וַיָּ֥מָת  and  died 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: מוּת  
Sense: to die, kill, have one executed.
עַם־  The  people 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
רָ֖ב  many 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רַב 
Sense: much, many, great.
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל  of  Israel 
Parse: Preposition-m, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יִשְׂרָאֵל  
Sense: the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel.