The Church Fathers on this verse

Numbers 21:28Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

A fire is gone out of Hesebon, a flame from the city of Sehon, and hath consumed Ar of the Moabites, and the inhabitants of the high places of the Arnon.

Douay-Rheims

כִּי־אֵשׁ֙ יָֽצְאָ֣ה מֵֽחֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן לֶהָבָ֖ה מִקִּרְיַ֣ת סִיחֹ֑ן אָֽכְלָה֙ עָ֣ר מוֹאָ֔ב בַּעֲלֵ֖י בָּמ֥וֹת אַרְנֹֽן׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Lopuchin A.P.

19th centuryCommentator

The passage across the Arnon and the initial discovery of the well had already ignited the creative spirit among the Israelite encampment, yet this victory provided an even richer theme for their inspiration. Consequently, the melodies of joy from the conquerors of Sihon echoed throughout the sprawling tent community of Israel as they triumphantly returned to their camp. Among these hymns is one that has been preserved in Scripture, serving as a striking example of the martial songs of the Israelites. This anthem was performed by two choirs with the following message: The first voice, seemingly mocking the Amorites, declared: "Go to Heshbon! Let the city of Sihon be built and established, For fire emerged from Heshbon, Flames from the city of Sihon, And consumed Ar-Moab, And those who dwell in the heights of Arnon!"

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.