Old Testament
Numbers 21:9
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So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever someone was bitten by a snake, they would look at the bronze snake and survive.
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And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
What Numbers 21:9 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this passage, Moses creates a bronze snake and places it on a pole as a remedy for the Israelites who were suffering from snake bites. The people had been complaining and rebelling against God, which led to the snakes being sent as a punishment. However, God provided a way for them to be healed. When someone was bitten, they could look at the bronze snake and be healed. This act symbolizes faith and obedience; by looking at the snake, the Israelites demonstrated their trust in God's provision for their healing. The bronze snake serves as a reminder of God's mercy and the importance of turning to Him in times of trouble. This event foreshadows the New Testament, where Jesus refers to this incident, indicating that just as the Israelites looked to the bronze snake for healing, people must look to Him for salvation. It highlights the theme of faith in God's promises and the means of deliverance He provides, even in dire circumstances.
How to apply Numbers 21:9 to your life
This passage encourages us to look to God for healing and help in our lives. Just as the Israelites had to trust in the bronze snake for their physical healing, we are called to trust in God for our spiritual and emotional healing. In times of trouble, we should remember to turn to Him and seek His guidance and support.
Curated for this public verse page. Numbers Summary
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Illustrated scene from Moses's story: The Bronze Serpent (Numbers 21:4–9)
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Moses
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724987). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Hebron, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
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Hebron
Where Abraham lived and buried Sarah, and where David was first made king.
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Keep studying Numbers 21:9
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Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Numbers
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Moses
- Written
- Around 1400 BC
- Genre
- Law (Pentateuch)
- Original Audience
- The Israelites in the wilderness
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Numbers 21:9 mean?
Numbers 21:9 describes how Moses made a bronze snake and placed it on a pole as a means for the Israelites to be healed from snake bites. When bitten, they could look at the bronze snake and be healed, symbolizing faith and obedience to God's provision.
What is the significance of the bronze snake in Numbers 21:9?
The bronze snake in Numbers 21:9 serves as a symbol of God's mercy and healing. It represents the importance of faith in God's promises, as the Israelites had to trust in the snake for their physical healing.
How does Numbers 21:9 relate to faith?
In Numbers 21:9, the act of looking at the bronze snake illustrates the concept of faith, where the Israelites had to believe in God's provision for their healing. This act of looking signifies trust in God's ability to save and heal.
What does the pole represent in Numbers 21:9?
The pole in Numbers 21:9 is a means to elevate the bronze snake, making it visible to the Israelites. It symbolizes the idea of lifting up faith and the importance of looking to God for help in times of trouble.
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