Ordinary Time · Exaltation of the Holy Cross · Year A
Numbers 21:4b-9
The Bronze Snake
September 14, 2026
Overview & Insights
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.’” (Numbers 21:8)
Most of the narratives up until now in Numbers are of a negative tone, filled with rebellion and sin and death. These events include the rebellion and sin of the leaders Moses and Aaron (Num. 20:2–13) and the deaths of Miriam and Aaron (Num. 21:1, 22–29). But as the old generation disappears, the tone of the narratives becomes increasingly positive. Numbers 21:1–9 shows progress, regress, and progress. The people are on the move, going around Edom (Num. 21:4), which has refused them passage (Num. 20:21–23), and will soon pass through Moab (Num. 21:10–20). There is a victory at Hormah, a place where the old, disobedient generation had been routed (Num. 14:45). But then there is one last rebellion that leads God to send vipers among them. But even this is mitigated by the people’s expressions of remorse and repentance. Thus, this section represents movement both physically and spiritually toward the promised land.
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further: Numbers 21:4b-9
Commentary
Numbers 21: On the Way to CanaanNm 21: On the Way to Canaan Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the whole of Numbers 21.
Numbers 21 CommentaryNm 21 Commentary Precept Austin
A deep gathering of word studies and cross references worked verse by verse.
Numbers 21:4 CommentariesNm 21:4 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregates classic commentaries on the bronze serpent in one place.
Gill's Exposition of Numbers 21Gill's Exposition of Nm 21 StudyLight
John Gill's verse by verse exposition of the whole chapter of Numbers 21.
Commentary on Numbers 21:4b-9Commentary on Nm 21:4b-9 Working Preacher
A preaching commentary on the bronze serpent, set for Holy Cross.
Background & Word Study
Numbers 21 in HebrewNm 21 in Hebrew Sefaria
The Hebrew text with English alongside and classical Jewish commentaries.
Numbers 21:4-9, The Bronze SerpentNm 21:4-9, The Bronze Serpent Enter the Bible
A Luther Seminary study focused on the bronze serpent passage.
Numbers 21 Hebrew InterlinearNm 21 Hebrew Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for the serpent on the pole.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What is the bronze serpent?
When Israel grumbles in the wilderness and venomous snakes bite the people, God tells Moses to lift a bronze serpent on a pole; all who look at it live (Numbers 21:4–9). Jesus makes it a picture of his own lifting up on the cross (John 3:14–15), which is why this reading anchors Holy Cross Day.
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on John 3:13-17
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.