The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 21:9

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

When he beheld the serpent ( גָחָשׁ in all three places of this verse) of brass, he lived. The record is brief and simple in the extreme, and tells nothing but the bare facts. The author of the Book of Wisdom understood the true bearing of those facts when he called the brazen serpent a σύμβολον σωτηρρίας (Numbers 16:6), and when he wrote ὁ ἐπιστραφεὶς οὐ διὰ τὸ θεωρούμενον (the thing he looked at) ἐσώζετο ἀλλὰ διὰ σὲ τὸν πάντων σωτῆρα. At an earlier day Hezekiah had estimated the σύμβολον σωτηρίας at its true value, as being in itself worthless, and under certain circumstances mischievous (see on 2 Kings 18:4).

HOMILETICS

More for Numbers 21:9

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Numbers 21:4-9Numbers 21:4-9 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe children of Israel were wearied by a long march round the land of Edom. They speak discontentedly of what God had done for them, and distrustfully of what he would do. What will they be pleased with, whom manna will…The Brazen Serpent. (b. c. 1452.)Numbers 21:4-9 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE BRAZEN SERPENT. (B. C. 1452.) Here is, I. The fatigue of Israel by a long march round the land of Edom, because they could not obtain passage through it the nearest way: The soul of the people was much discouraged b…The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 21:4-9Numbers 21:4-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION THE FIERY SERPENTS (Numbers 21:4-9).The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 21:4-9Numbers 21:4-9 · The Pulpit CommentarySIN AND THE SAVIOUR The type of the brazen serpent lifted up in the wilderness is the only one which our Lord directly claims for himself as a type of his own crucifixion. No one can doubt that many other types, hardly…The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 21:6-9Numbers 21:6-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryDESTRUCTION AND SALVATION THROUGH THE SERPENT Each time the people break into open sin there is something new in the treatment of them. Now God gives the fruition of their desires; they are surfeited with quails, and pe…The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 21:6-9Numbers 21:6-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryTHE BRAZEN SERPENT AS A TYPE OF CHRIST If this narrative was a bare record of facts, it would supply precious lessons respecting sin and salvation; but being one of the typical histories, applied by the Saviour. to hims…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Numbers 21:4-9The children of Israel were wearied by a long march round the land of Edom. They speak discontentedly of what God had done for them, and distrustfully of what he would do. What will they be pleased with, whom manna will…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Brazen Serpent. (b. c. 1452.)THE BRAZEN SERPENT. (B. C. 1452.) Here is, I. The fatigue of Israel by a long march round the land of Edom, because they could not obtain passage through it the nearest way: The soul of the people was much discouraged b…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 21:4-9EXPOSITION THE FIERY SERPENTS (Numbers 21:4-9).Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 21:4-9SIN AND THE SAVIOUR The type of the brazen serpent lifted up in the wilderness is the only one which our Lord directly claims for himself as a type of his own crucifixion. No one can doubt that many other types, hardly…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 21:6-9THE BRAZEN SERPENT AS A TYPE OF CHRIST If this narrative was a bare record of facts, it would supply precious lessons respecting sin and salvation; but being one of the typical histories, applied by the Saviour. to hims…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 21:6-9DESTRUCTION AND SALVATION THROUGH THE SERPENT Each time the people break into open sin there is something new in the treatment of them. Now God gives the fruition of their desires; they are surfeited with quails, and pe…Joseph S. Exell and contributors