Numbers 21:29 Meaning and Explanation
“Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The proverb laments Moab's defeat and the captivity of Moabite survivors under Sihon.
The Context of Numbers 21:29
The proverb mourns Moab's destruction and the captivity of its survivors.
What Does Numbers 21:29 Mean?
The proverb shifts to a lament over Moab's destruction. Moab is addressed directly—'woe to thee'—as a people undone. Chemosh was the Moabite god, and the reference shows that Moab's people understood their defeat in religious terms; their god had not protected them.
The captivity of survivors—sons and daughters—represents the human cost of Sihon's conquest. Families were separated and taken into slavery or servitude. This bitter poetic reflection captures the devastation that conquest brings to defeated peoples, even as the earlier verses celebrated Sihon's victory.
Numbers 21:29 in the Original Language
Chemosh (כְמוֹשׁ) — the national god of Moab, whose inability to defend his people emphasized their total defeat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 21:29
What does Numbers 21:29 mean?
The proverb laments Moab's defeat and the captivity of Moabite survivors under Sihon.
What is the context of Numbers 21:29?
The proverb mourns Moab's destruction and the captivity of its survivors.