Lent · Fourth Sunday in Lent · Year B
Numbers 21:4-9
The Bronze Snake
March 7, 2027
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.
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Commentary
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Numbers Chapter 21 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik works through the fiery serpents and the bronze serpent lifted up for healing.
Commentary on Numbers 21:4-9 Working Preacher
The RCL Lent 4B first reading, read as judgment and the strange means of healing in the wilderness.
Numbers 21:4-9 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on grumbling, the serpent on the pole, and the sign of life.
Numbers 21 Commentary Precept Austin
A deep study gathering sources on the wilderness rebellion with Hebrew notes and cross references.
Numbers 21:4 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic verse-by-verse commentaries on the fiery serpents and the bronze serpent.
Background & Word Study
Numbers | Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on Numbers, the wilderness wandering, and the book's shape.
Numbers 21 Sefaria
The Hebrew text with classical Jewish commentary on the serpent narrative.
Numbers 21:4 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew text word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for the passage.
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.
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