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Numbers 21:32 - Conquest through divine strategy

Numbers 21:32 - במדבר 21:32

Hebrew Text

וַיִּשְׁלַח מֹשֶׁה לְרַגֵּל אֶת־יַעְזֵר וַיִּלְכְּדוּ בְּנֹתֶיהָ ויירש [וַיּוֹרֶשׁ] אֶת־הָאֱמֹרִי אֲשֶׁר־שָׁם׃

English Translation

And Moshe sent to spy out Ya῾zer, and they took its hamlets, and drove out the Emori who were there.

Transliteration

Va'yishlach Moshe l'ragel et-Ya'zer va'yilk'du b'noteha va'yoresh et-ha'Emori asher-sham.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח מֹשֶׁה֙ לְרַגֵּ֣ל אֶת־יַעְזֵ֔ר וַֽיִּלְכְּד֖וּ בְּנֹתֶ֑יהָ <span class="mam-kq"><span class="mam-kq-k">(ויירש)</span> <span class="mam-kq-q">[וַיּ֖וֹרֶשׁ]</span></span> אֶת־הָאֱמֹרִ֥י אֲשֶׁר־שָֽׁם׃
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח מֹשֶׁה֙ לְרַגֵּ֣ל אֶת־יַעְזֵ֔ר וַֽיִּלְכְּד֖וּ בְּנֹתֶ֑יהָ (ויירש) [וַיּ֖וֹרֶשׁ] אֶת־הָאֱמֹרִ֥י אֲשֶׁר־שָֽׁם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

The verse (Bamidbar 21:32) describes Moshe sending spies to scout Ya῾zer before capturing its settlements and driving out the Emori. This event occurs during Bnei Yisrael's travels in the wilderness, following their victory over Sichon, king of the Emori (Bamidbar 21:21-31). The conquest of Ya῾zer was part of securing territory east of the Jordan River before entering Eretz Yisrael.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Bamidbar 21:32) explains that Moshe sent spies to Ya῾zer to assess the land before conquest, similar to the earlier mission in Yehoshua 2:1. He notes that the phrase "וַיִּלְכְּדוּ בְּנֹתֶיהָ" ("they took its hamlets") refers to the smaller towns surrounding Ya῾zer, which were captured first before the main city. This strategy mirrors the military approach used against Sichon's territory.

Rambam's Perspective on Warfare

Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 6:7) discusses the laws of permissible warfare, emphasizing that Bnei Yisrael were commanded to first offer peace before engaging in battle with the seven Canaanite nations (including the Emori). However, since Sichon had already initiated war (Bamidbar 21:23), this preemptive conquest was justified as self-defense and part of Hashem's promise to Avraham (Bereishit 15:18-21).

Midrashic Insights

  • Bamidbar Rabbah 19:25 connects this verse to the broader theme of divine assistance in battle, noting that Bnei Yisrael's victories were miraculous despite their smaller numbers.
  • Tanchuma Chukat 24 highlights that the conquest of Ya῾zer demonstrated Moshe's leadership in fulfilling Hashem's will to inherit the land, even before crossing the Jordan.

Grammatical Note

The word "ויירש" (variant spelling of "וַיּוֹרֶשׁ") means "dispossessed" or "drove out," indicating a complete removal of the Emori. Ibn Ezra (Bamidbar 21:32) clarifies that this term implies both military victory and permanent settlement, fulfilling the promise of inheritance to the tribes of Reuven and Gad (Bamidbar 32:33).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of Numbers 21:32?
A: Numbers 21:32 describes how Moshe (Moses) sent spies to scout out the city of Ya'zer before capturing it and driving out the Emori (Amorites) who lived there. According to Rashi, this was part of the Israelites' conquest of territories east of the Jordan River before entering the Promised Land.
Q: Why did Moshe send spies to Ya'zer?
A: Moshe sent spies to Ya'zer to gather information before the battle, following a common military strategy. The Talmud (Sotah 34b) explains that scouting the land was necessary to ensure a successful conquest, as seen earlier with the 12 spies sent to Canaan (Numbers 13).
Q: Who were the Emori (Amorites) mentioned in this verse?
A: The Emori were one of the seven Canaanite nations that inhabited the land. According to the Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 5:1), they were idol worshippers, and the Torah commanded the Israelites to drive them out due to their corrupt practices and to fulfill Hashem's promise to give the land to Avraham's descendants.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Numbers 21:32?
A: This verse teaches the importance of proper preparation before undertaking a mission, as Moshe did by sending spies. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 19:30) also highlights that success in battle comes from Hashem's help, even when human effort is made.
Q: How does this verse connect to the broader narrative in Numbers?
A: This verse is part of the Israelites' journey toward the Promised Land, showing their military victories with Hashem's assistance. The conquest of Ya'zer and other territories (as mentioned in later verses) was a step toward fulfilling the covenant with Avraham, as explained in the Torah and expanded upon in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 20b).