share torah logo

Numbers 21:1 - Enemies fear Israel's journey

Numbers 21:1 - במדבר 21:1

Hebrew Text

וַיִּשְׁמַע הַכְּנַעֲנִי מֶלֶךְ־עֲרָד יֹשֵׁב הַנֶּגֶב כִּי בָּא יִשְׂרָאֵל דֶּרֶךְ הָאֲתָרִים וַיִּלָּחֶם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּשְׁבְּ מִמֶּנּוּ שֶׁבִי׃

English Translation

And when the Kena῾anite, the king of ῾Arad, who dwelt in the Negev, heard tell that Yisra᾽el came by the way of Atarim; then he fought against Yisra᾽el, and took some of them prisoners.

Transliteration

Va'yishma ha'kna'ani melech Arad yoshev ha'negev ki ba Yisrael derech ha'atarim va'yilachem b'Yisrael va'yishb mimenu shevi.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּשְׁמַ֞ע הַכְּנַעֲנִ֤י מֶֽלֶךְ־עֲרָד֙ יֹשֵׁ֣ב הַנֶּ֔גֶב כִּ֚י בָּ֣א יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל דֶּ֖רֶךְ הָאֲתָרִ֑ים וַיִּלָּ֙חֶם֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיִּ֥שְׁבְּ <small>׀</small> מִמֶּ֖נּוּ שֶֽׁבִי׃
וַיִּשְׁמַ֞ע הַכְּנַעֲנִ֤י מֶֽלֶךְ־עֲרָד֙ יֹשֵׁ֣ב הַנֶּ֔גֶב כִּ֚י בָּ֣א יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל דֶּ֖רֶךְ הָאֲתָרִ֑ים וַיִּלָּ֙חֶם֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיִּ֥שְׁבְּ ׀ מִמֶּ֖נּוּ שֶֽׁבִי׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Bamidbar 21:1) describes an attack by the Kena'ani king of Arad against Bnei Yisrael as they journeyed toward Eretz Yisrael. This event occurred after the death of Aharon and the defeat of the Canaanite city of Hormah (Rashi, Bamidbar 21:1). The attack is significant because it marks one of the challenges Bnei Yisrael faced before entering the Land.

Identity of the Kena'ani King

Rashi explains that this "Kena'ani" was actually Amalek, who disguised themselves as Canaanites to avoid invoking Bnei Yisrael's prayer against Amalek (based on Shemos 17:16). The Midrash Tanchuma (Chukas 18) supports this, stating that Amalek feared Bnei Yisrael's merit and thus adopted Canaanite speech and clothing.

The Path of the Atarim

The phrase "דֶּרֶךְ הָאֲתָרִים" ("the way of the Atarim") is interpreted in several ways:

  • Rashi: It refers to the route taken by the meraglim (spies) who scouted the Land (Bamidbar 13). The Canaanites heard that Bnei Yisrael were approaching along this path and saw an opportunity to attack.
  • Ibn Ezra: Suggests it may mean "the way of the scouts" or a known trade route.
  • Ramban: Proposes that it was a path marked by signs (atarim meaning "markers"), possibly indicating a strategic military route.

Reason for the Attack

The Kena'ani king attacked because he perceived vulnerability after hearing of Bnei Yisrael's approach. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 19:16) notes that this occurred shortly after Aharon's death, when the protective "clouds of glory" had temporarily withdrawn, leaving Bnei Yisrael exposed.

Spiritual Lessons

  • Divine Justice: The attack served as a test and consequence for Bnei Yisrael's earlier lack of faith (Ramban).
  • Power of Prayer: The subsequent victory (Bamidbar 21:2-3) came only after Bnei Yisrael vowed to dedicate spoils to Hashem, showing the importance of sincere repentance and commitment (Sforno).
  • Amalek's Deception: The incident reinforces the perpetual threat of Amalek, who attack through cunning rather than direct confrontation (Malbim).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was the Kena'anite king of Arad mentioned in Numbers 21:1?
A: The Kena'anite king of Arad was a ruler in the Negev region who attacked the Israelites when he heard they were traveling through the area. According to Rashi, this was actually the same nation as Amalek, who disguised themselves as Kena'anites to avoid the Israelites' prayers against Amalek (based on Bamidbar Rabbah 19:20).
Q: Why did the Kena'anites attack the Israelites in this verse?
A: The Kena'anites (actually Amalekites in disguise) attacked because they feared the Israelites' approach. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 19:20) explains they heard Israel was coming 'by way of the spies' (derech ha'atarim), meaning the same route the spies had taken years earlier, and assumed Israel was coming to conquer the land.
Q: What is the significance of the Israelites being taken captive in this verse?
A: This was a rare instance where Israelites were captured in battle. The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 3a) connects this to the laws of vows, as the Israelites later made a vow to Hashem to utterly destroy these cities if He would deliver the enemy into their hands (Numbers 21:2-3), showing how seriously they took this attack.
Q: Where was Arad located according to Jewish sources?
A: Arad was in the southern part of Canaan (the Negev region). Rashi notes it was near the border of Edom. Archaeological evidence shows an ancient city called Arad existed in this area, and the Talmud (Megillah 6a) discusses its location in relation to other biblical sites.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this biblical episode?
A: This teaches us about the importance of unity with Hashem during challenges. The Israelites were vulnerable when they separated from Hashem's protection (as explained by the Kli Yakar), and their subsequent vow and victory (in Numbers 21:2-3) shows the power of repentance and renewed commitment to Hashem when facing enemies.