Berean Standard Bible
BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →
8Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.”
The Pioneer Translation RenderingRendered from the original Hebrew
Numbers 21:8
The Bronze Snake on the Pole
Jehovah said to Moses, "Make for yourself a fiery serpent and set it on a pole. It will be that everyone who is bitten looks at it and lives."
The Hebrew *śārāph* (שָׂרָף) is translated "fiery serpent" — it refers to a burning or venomous creature (related to the seraphim of Isaiah 6), not a generic snake; *nēs* (נֵס) is rendered "pole" meaning a standard or elevated staff; the conditional sequence "looks at it and lives" preserves the direct cause-effect the Hebrew presents without softening.
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King James Version
BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →
8And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
Translation for Translators
T4T was designed as a tool for Bible translators, not as a devotional text. It makes implicit meaning explicit and flags figurative language with abbreviations. Gold [brackets] indicate translation notes. ◄Triangles► mark alternative renderings.Read more about how to read T4T →BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →
8Then Yahweh told him/me, “Make a model/image of a poisonous snake, and attach it to the top of a pole. If those who are bitten by the snakes look at that model, they will ◄T4T alternative rendering — the text between these markers is an alternative translation or explanatory expansion. Translators choose the option that best fits their target language.recover/get well►T4T alternative rendering — the text between these markers is an alternative translation or explanatory expansion. Translators choose the option that best fits their target language..”
Berean Standard Bible
King James Version
BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →
8
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.”
And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
Berean Standard Bible
King James Version
Translation for Translators
T4T was designed as a tool for Bible translators, not as a devotional text. It makes implicit meaning explicit and flags figurative language with abbreviations. Gold [brackets] indicate translation notes. ◄Triangles► mark alternative renderings.Read more about how to read T4T →BSB and T4T shown with Greek annotations — · Why we show the Greek →
8
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.”
And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
Then Yahweh told him/me, “Make a model/image of a poisonous snake, and attach it to the top of a pole. If those who are bitten by the snakes look at that model, they will ◄T4T alternative rendering — the text between these markers is an alternative translation or explanatory expansion. Translators choose the option that best fits their target language.recover/get well►T4T alternative rendering — the text between these markers is an alternative translation or explanatory expansion. Translators choose the option that best fits their target language..”
WLC
Hebrew, word by word
8
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר name אָמַר ʼâmar a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude) answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command( יְהוָ֜ה Jehovah יְהֹוָה Yᵉhôvâh from H1961 (הָיָה); (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). אֶל about אֵל ʼêl (but only used in the shortened constructive form אֶל ); a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, ־ מֹשֶׁ֗ה Moses מֹשֶׁה Môsheh from H4871 (מָשָׁה); drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver Moses. עֲשֵׂ֤ה accomplish עָשָׂה ʻâsâh a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruis לְךָ֙ שָׂרָ֔ף fiery שָׂרָף sârâph from H8313 (שָׂרַף); burning, i.e. (figuratively) poisonous (serpent); specifically, a saraph or symbolical creature (from their copper color) fiery (serpent), וְשִׂ֥ים appoint שׂוּם sûwm or שִׂים; a primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically) [idiom] any wise, appoint, br אֹת֖וֹ apparent contracted אֵת ʼêth apparent contracted from H226 (אוֹת) in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb עַל above עַל ʻal properly, the same as H5920 (עַל) used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, ־ נֵ֑ס pole נֵס nêç from H5264 (נָסַס); a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token banner, pole, sail, (en-) sign, standard. וְהָיָה֙ beacon הָיָה hâyâh a primitive root (compare H1933 (הָוָא)); to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary) beacon, [idiom] altoge כָּל all כֹּל kôl or (Jeremiah 33:8) כּוֹל; from H3634 (כָּלַל); properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense) (in) all (manne ־ הַנָּשׁ֔וּךְ bite נָשַׁךְ nâshak a primitive root; to strike with a sting (as a serpent); figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan bite, lend upon usury. וְרָאָ֥ה advise self רָאָה râʼâh a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative) advise self, appear, אֹת֖וֹ apparent contracted אֵת ʼêth apparent contracted from H226 (אוֹת) in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb וָחָֽי live חָיַי châyay a primitive root (compare H2421 (חָיָה)); to live; causatively to revive live, save life. ׃
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.”
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