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Numbers 21:6 - Divine punishment for complaints?

Numbers 21:6 - במדבר 21:6

Hebrew Text

וַיְשַׁלַּח יְהוָה בָּעָם אֵת הַנְּחָשִׁים הַשְּׂרָפִים וַיְנַשְּׁכוּ אֶת־הָעָם וַיָּמָת עַם־רָב מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל׃

English Translation

And the Lord sent venomous serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many people of Yisra᾽el died.

Transliteration

Vayishlach Adonai ba'am et han'chashim has'rafim vay'nashechu et ha'am vayamot am rav miYisrael.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְשַׁלַּ֨ח יְהֹוָ֜ה בָּעָ֗ם אֵ֚ת הַנְּחָשִׁ֣ים הַשְּׂרָפִ֔ים וַֽיְנַשְּׁכ֖וּ אֶת־הָעָ֑ם וַיָּ֥מׇת עַם־רָ֖ב מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
וַיְשַׁלַּ֨ח יְהֹוָ֜ה בָּעָ֗ם אֵ֚ת הַנְּחָשִׁ֣ים הַשְּׂרָפִ֔ים וַֽיְנַשְּׁכ֖וּ אֶת־הָעָ֑ם וַיָּ֥מׇת עַם־רָ֖ב מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

The verse appears in Bamidbar (Numbers) 21:6, where Bnei Yisrael complain against Hashem and Moshe due to the hardships of their journey. This incident occurs after the death of Aharon, when the protective "Clouds of Glory" temporarily depart, leaving the people vulnerable.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bamidbar 21:6) explains that the term הַנְּחָשִׁים הַשְּׂרָפִים ("venomous serpents") refers to snakes whose bite burns like fire (שרף meaning "burning"). He notes that these serpents were not newly created but were sent from the surrounding wilderness, emphasizing that Hashem uses existing elements of nature to execute judgment.

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Tanchuma (Chukat 19) connects this episode to the earlier sin of the spies, suggesting that the people's ingratitude and complaints were a recurring pattern.
  • Bamidbar Rabbah (19:22) states that the serpents specifically targeted those who spoke lashon hara (evil speech) against Hashem and Moshe, as the serpent in Gan Eden was punished for slandering Hashem to Chava.

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (3:32), Rambam interprets the serpents allegorically, suggesting that the plague was a natural consequence of the people's rebellious mindset, which made them susceptible to physical and spiritual harm.

Theological Implications

The incident teaches about the severity of speaking against Hashem and His chosen leaders. The remedy—the copper serpent (nechash nechoshet) later in the passage—emphasizes that salvation comes through recognizing Hashem's authority, not through the object itself (as later clarified in the Mishnah, Rosh Hashanah 3:8).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

The verse is referenced in a discussion about the power of repentance and how Moses interceded for the people after the incident with the serpents.
📖 Yoma 22b
Mentioned in the context of discussing divine justice and the consequences of the people's complaints against God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Hashem send venomous snakes to bite the Israelites in Numbers 21:6?
A: According to Rashi and the Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 19:22), the Israelites spoke improperly (complained against Hashem and Moshe) in the wilderness. The venomous snakes were sent as a consequence of their sinful speech, teaching that words have spiritual consequences.
Q: What is the significance of the 'seraphim' (burning) snakes in this verse?
A: The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 29a) explains that these snakes were called 'seraphim' because their venom burned like fire. The Midrash (Tanchuma Chukat 19) adds that they were specially created for this moment—showing that divine punishment matches the nature of the sin (just as the snake in Eden spoke slander, these punished slanderous speech).
Q: How does this story about the snakes apply to us today?
A: The Rambam (Hilchos Teshuvah 1:4) teaches that hardships are often wake-up calls to examine our actions. Just as the Israelites realized their mistake and repented (Numbers 21:7), we must use challenges as opportunities for self-improvement—especially guarding against harmful speech (lashon hara).
Q: Why were snakes chosen as the means of punishment in this verse?
A: The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 19:22) connects this to the serpent in Genesis that caused Adam and Chava to sin through speech. Similarly, the Israelites sinned through improper speech, and the snakes symbolized the destructive power of words. The Talmud (Arachin 15b) also compares lashon hara to a snake’s deadly bite.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the people dying from snake bites in this verse?
A: The Chofetz Chaim (in his works on guarding speech) explains that this episode teaches how severe the consequences of evil speech can be—both spiritually and physically. Just as the people needed teshuvah (repentance) and the copper serpent (Numbers 21:8-9) to heal, we must actively repair damage caused by wrongful words.