Числа 21:2

The armies of Israel now begin to emerge out of the wilderness, and to come into a land inhabited, to enter upon action, and take possession of the frontiers of the land of promise. A glorious campaign this chapter gives us the history of, especially in the latter part of it. Here is, I. The defeat of Arad the Canaanite (Num 21:1-3). II. The chastisement of the people with fiery serpents for their murmurings, and the relief granted them upon their submission by a brazen serpent (Num 21:4-9). III. Several marches forward, and some occurrences by the way (Num 21:10-20). IV. The celebrated conquest of Sihon king of the Amorites (Num 21:21-32), and of Og king of Bashan (Num 21:33-35), and possession taken of their land.

21:2-3 completely destroy (Hebrew kharam): Israel was instructed to completely destroy their enemies and their enemies’ property (see Lev 27:28-29; Deut 7:2; 20:17; Josh 6–7; 10:1–11:23). • This battle reflects a play on words between kharam and Hormah (Hebrew khormah, Num 21:3). It marks a turning point in Israel’s interaction with the Canaanites, who remained a formidable enemy throughout the period of the conquest.