Numbers 21:9

“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.”
King James Version (KJV)

Other Translations of Numbers 21:9

And Moses made a serpent of brasse, and put it vpon a pole, and it came to passe, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when hee beheld the serpent of brasse, he liued.
- King James Version (1611) - Compare to scan of original Numbers chapter 21

And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it upon the standard: and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived.
- American Standard Version (1901)

So Moses made a snake of brass and put it on a rod; and anyone who had a snakebite, after looking on the snake of brass, was made well.
- Basic English Bible

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole; and it came to pass, if a serpent had bitten any man, and he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
- Darby Bible

Moses therefore made a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: which when they that were bitten looked upon, they were healed.
- Douay Rheims Bible

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.
- Webster's Bible

Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it on the standard: and it happened, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked to the serpent of brass, he lived.
- World English Bible

And Moses maketh a serpent of brass, and setteth it on the ensign, and it hath been, if the serpent hath bitten any man, and he hath looked expectingly unto the serpent of brass -- he hath lived.
- Youngs Literal Bible

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it upon the pole; and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Chris's comment on 2020-05-02 23:16:57:

Yes, as Jesus also used this event in Numbers to speak of Himself in Jn 3:14,15. The Numbers account would make the serpent an idol, if it was worshipped. I believe worship didn't take place, only if those bitten by the physical snakes, would express faith in God's provision of a serpent on a pole, would they experience healing from the wound.

This speaks to me that there could have been some there who despised God & Moses to such an extent, that even though they got bitten, they would have refused to look upon the snake on the pole, as if to say, "I don't believe in this God of Israel or His servant Moses, so I would rather die than submit". This is the same stubbornness that grips the unsaved: they hear of God's love, they hear of the Sacrifice of His Son for sin, but refuse to look upon Him in faith for spiritual healing, simply because they don't believe in His Plan & would rather perish in hell than submit to the Holy One.

Susannah's comment on 2020-05-02 20:26:25:

It sounds a bit like a model of Jeshua to me. The Israelites who looked upon it and believed God would forgive and save them survived, even though they had sinned against and doubted Him. Sound familiar?

Afolabi Dare John's comment on 2015-09-27 23:32:20:

In this context serpent means salvation or medicine

speaker's comment on 2013-11-11 12:11:28:

it is used as a sign to us. there were hundreds of thousands of jews at that time, it says that they filled the land, not everyone would be able to see the serpent on the pole because the multitude was so great so it was by faith. faith that god said that it was there, even if they couldn't see it and faith that they would be saved if they look to it. it is through faith that you believe that Christ died on the cross and that if you look to him you will be saved.

Angel's comment on 2012-03-03 10:48:14:

Is this not a form of idol worshiping... commanded by God?

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