Numbers 21:1-3·~1 min

The Defeat of Arad

Arad attacks first, but Israel vows the captured cities to destruction if the LORD grants victory. The LORD hears, gives the Canaanites over, and the place receives the name Hormah.

W¹hen the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked Israel and captured some prisoners. ²So Israel made a vow to the LORD: “If You will deliver this people into our hands, we will devote their cities to destruction. ” ³And the LORD heard Israel’s plea and delivered up the Canaanites. Israel devoted them and their cities to destruction; so they named the place Hormah.

Verse 1The Canaanite king of Arad hears Israel is coming, attacks them in the Negev, and captures some prisoners.

This verse introduces the conflict that starts the chapter.

Verse 2Israel vows to the LORD that if He gives this people into their hand, they will devote their cities to destruction.

This verse shows Israel placing the coming battle before the LORD.

Verse 3The LORD hears Israel’s plea, gives the Canaanites over, and the place is named Hormah after the destruction of their cities.

This verse resolves the opening conflict with answered prayer and victory.

Passage shape

A quiet block diagram: each row is one authored paragraph movement, with verse numbers kept visible for scanning and deeper work.

vv. 1-3
Arad attacks first, but Israel vows the captured cities to destruction if the LORD grants victory. The LORD hears, gives the Canaanites over, and the place receives the name Hormah.
This paragraph opens the chapter by pairing enemy aggression with Israel’s vowed dependence and the LORD’s decisive answer.
1 2 3

Section summaryWhen the king of Arad attacks and takes prisoners, Israel answers not with complaint but with a vow before the LORD. The LORD gives the Canaanites into Israel’s hand, and the place is marked by the destruction Israel had vowed.

Role in the chapterThis brief opening sets a new tone of conflict and response. It shows Israel meeting opposition with dependence on the LORD and introduces the chapter’s movement from wilderness pressure toward military advance.