Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 21:12
From thence they removed, and pitched in the valley of Zared.
12 . From thence they journeyed ] The last place mentioned in J E was ‘the way to the Red Sea’ ( Num 21:4); but it is probable that some stages in the journey have been lost, and that ‘thence’ originally referred to a distinct town or locality.
the wady of Zered ] The Heb. naal denotes both a small torrent and the depression through which it flows; the German ‘Bachtal’ expresses it well.
The name Zered has not been identified; if, however, the compiler was sufficiently acquainted with the geography of the district to place the names Oboth and Iye-abarim (from P ) in their right position, Zered must lie to the north of the latter town, and may be either the Seil Sa‘deh which flows into the Arnon from the S.E., or the Seil Lejjn a smaller tributary of the Seil Sa‘deh or else the Wady-el-Kerak (or the upper course of it named Wady-el-Franji) which runs north-west past Kerak into the Dead Sea.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Num 21:12-20. J E
The Israelites arrived at a spot on the S.E. border of Moab, and then, having travelled northwards along its eastern boundary, penetrated westward till they reached the cliffs which fall to the Dead Sea. Notice that the formula used in the itinerary has changed; in Num 21:10-11 it is ‘and they journeyed from and encamped in ,’ as throughout ch. 33; but here it is ‘from thence they journeyed, and encamped in ,’ or some shorter expression.
On the whole of this section see G. A. Smith, Hist. Geogr. 557 66, and his article ‘Moab’ in Enc. Bibl. [Note: nc. Bibl. Encyclopaedia Biblica.]
The valley of Zared – Rather, the brook or watercourse of Zared the willow. It is probably the present Wady Ain Franjy. Verse 12. They – pitched in the valley of Zared.] nachal zared. This should be translated the brook Zared, as it is in De 2:13-14. This stream has its origin in the mountains eastward of Moab, and runs from east to west, and discharges itself into the Dead Sea. Or rather, by the torrent or brook of Zared, as we render it, Deu 2:13; which ran into the Dead Sea, and from which the valley also might be so called. 12. pitched in the valleyliterally,the “woody brook-valley” of Zared (Deu 2:13;Isa 15:7; Amo 6:14).This torrent rises among the mountains to the east of Moab, andflowing west, empties itself into the Dead Sea. Ije-Abarim issupposed to have been its ford [CALMET]. From thence they removed, and pitched in the valley of Zered. Or the brook Zered, as in De 13:14 that is near it: this seems to be the same station with Dibongad, Nu 33:45, and which, according to the above writer, was sixteen miles from Ijeabarim.
Verses 12-16:
“Valley of Zared,” literally, “brook of Zared,” the upper part of Wadi Kerek, a stream flowing into the Dead Sea.
“Arnon,” a sizeable stream flowing to the Dead Sea through a steep ravine, known today as Wadi Mojeb. The text indicates that Israel was keeping well to the east of the territory of Moab, in keeping with the command not to fight against them, De 2:9.
Arnon was the boundary at that time between Moab and the Amorites. The latter had wrested control of part of Moab, and occupied the territory between Arnon and the Jabbok.
The “book of the Lord,” a book of which nothing today is known. It was likely a volume written to commemorate special events, historical but not inspired. The reference here appears to be to an event in the history of the people of that region.
“Ar,” the Hebrew word for city.
“Beer,” meaning “well,” where Israel was instructed to dig for water, rather than to wait for God to give them water from the rock. Here God supplied their needs by natural means, rather than by a miracle. But even this natural supply was at the command of God.
12. The valley of Zared More accurately, Zered. Deu 2:13. Literally, the willow brook. It is a boundary stream between Moab and Edom, flowing into the Dead Sea, supposed to be mentioned in Isa 15:7. It is identified by Robinson, Palmer, and Tristram as the Wady-el-Ahsa, at the very south of the Dead Sea. From this time the trials of wilderness life may be said to have ended. Crossing streams shaded by abundant vegetation, they left Edom and the desert behind them and entered on the rich uplands of Moab. To reach a region of flowing water must have put new life into the host. Memorable, indeed, was the order of the day: “Up and cross the stream Zered.” Deu 2:13. They could now dig wells and dip their pitchers in fountains.
the valley of Zared: Deu 2:13, Deu 2:14, the brook Zered
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge