Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

Numbers 21

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, Numbers 21:1-21:3. II. The chastisement of the people with fiery serpents for their murmurings, and the relief granted them upon their submission by a brazen serpent, Numbers 21:4-21:9. III. Several marches forward, and some occurrences by the way, Numbers 21:10-21:20. IV. The celebrated conquest of Sihon king of the Amorites (Numbers 21:21-21:32), and of Og king of Bashan (Numbers 21:33-21:35), and possession taken of their land. MHBCC 139.1