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Numbers 21:3 - Divine vengeance fulfills Israel's plea.

Numbers 21:3 - במדבר 21:3

Hebrew Text

וַיִּשְׁמַע יְהוָה בְּקוֹל יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּתֵּן אֶת־הַכְּנַעֲנִי וַיַּחֲרֵם אֶתְהֶם וְאֶת־עָרֵיהֶם וַיִּקְרָא שֵׁם־הַמָּקוֹם חָרְמָה׃

English Translation

And the Lord hearkened to the voice of Yisra᾽el, and delivered up the Kena῾ani; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Ḥorma.

Transliteration

Va'yishma Adonai b'kol Yisra'el va'yiten et ha'Kena'ani va'yacharem et'hem v'et areihem va'yikra shem ha'makom Chormah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּשְׁמַ֨ע יְהֹוָ֜ה בְּק֣וֹל יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וַיִּתֵּן֙ אֶת־הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י וַיַּחֲרֵ֥ם אֶתְהֶ֖ם וְאֶת־עָרֵיהֶ֑ם וַיִּקְרָ֥א שֵׁם־הַמָּק֖וֹם חׇרְמָֽה׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
וַיִּשְׁמַ֨ע יְהֹוָ֜ה בְּק֣וֹל יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וַיִּתֵּן֙ אֶת־הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י וַיַּחֲרֵ֥ם אֶתְהֶ֖ם וְאֶת־עָרֵיהֶ֑ם וַיִּקְרָ֥א שֵׁם־הַמָּק֖וֹם חׇרְמָֽה׃ {פ}

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Numbers 21:3) describes an event during the Israelites' journey in the wilderness, where they engaged in battle with the Canaanites after Hashem granted them victory. The name of the place, Ḥorma (חָרְמָה), meaning "destruction" or "devotion to destruction," reflects the complete annihilation of the Canaanite forces and their cities as an act of divine judgment.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "וַיִּשְׁמַע ה' בְּקוֹל יִשְׂרָאֵל" ("And the Lord hearkened to the voice of Israel") refers to the Israelites' prayer or vow to Hashem before the battle. He cites the Midrash (Tanchuma Chukat 18) that they made a neder (vow) to dedicate the spoils of war to the Mishkan (Tabernacle) if they were victorious. This demonstrates the power of sincere prayer and commitment to sanctify Hashem's name in times of conflict.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Maimonides) in Hilchot Melachim (Laws of Kings 5:1) discusses the laws of warfare and the commandment to utterly destroy the Canaanites (חֵרֶם) due to their idolatrous practices and moral corruption. This verse serves as a precedent for the mitzvah of eradicating evil influences from the Land of Israel to establish a society based on Torah values.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 19:20) connects this battle to the earlier failure of the spies (Numbers 14), suggesting that this victory was a partial rectification of that sin, demonstrating Hashem's mercy despite past mistakes.
  • Ḥorma is later mentioned in Judges 1:17 as a place conquered by the tribes of Yehudah and Shimon, showing the lasting impact of this event in Israel's settlement of the land.

Spiritual Lessons

The verse teaches:

  • The efficacy of prayer and vows in invoking divine assistance (תְּפִלָּה and נֶדֶר).
  • The severity of the Canaanites' sins necessitated their destruction to prevent moral contamination of Israel (based on Vayikra 18:24-28).
  • The naming of places in Tanach often reflects historical or spiritual truths, here memorializing Hashem's justice.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 21:3 mean when it says 'the Lord hearkened to the voice of Israel'?
A: This verse teaches that when the Jewish people sincerely prayed and repented (as Rashi explains based on the context of the previous verses), Hashem listened to their prayers. It emphasizes the power of sincere teshuvah (repentance) and tefillah (prayer) in Jewish tradition.
Q: Why did the Israelites destroy the Canaanites and their cities in this verse?
A: According to Jewish tradition, this was a specific commandment from Hashem at that time to remove the Canaanite nations from the land due to their extreme wickedness and idolatry (as discussed in various sources including Rambam's Mishneh Torah). This was not a general permission for warfare, but a unique historical situation under divine instruction.
Q: What is the significance of naming the place 'Hormah'?
A: The name Hormah comes from the Hebrew root meaning 'destruction' or 'devotion.' The Midrash explains that naming the place commemorated this significant event where the Canaanites were defeated after Israel's repentance, serving as a reminder of divine justice and the consequences of both righteousness and wickedness.
Q: How does this verse about ancient battles apply to our lives today?
A: The Sages teach that this verse reminds us of the ongoing spiritual battle against negative influences. Just as the Canaanites represented negative spiritual forces then, today we must 'destroy' negative traits and harmful influences in our lives through Torah study and mitzvot observance (as discussed in ethical works like Mesillat Yesharim).
Q: Why does the verse mention both 'the Canaanite' and 'their cities' being destroyed?
A: Rashi explains that this teaches us the Canaanites' evil was so entrenched that even their physical environment (cities) had become corrupted. In Jewish thought, this shows how negative influences can permeate both people and their surroundings, requiring complete removal to prevent further spiritual contamination.