There the Israelites sang this song: “Spring up, O well! Yes, sing its praises!
Parallel translations
- WEB Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, well! Sing to it,
- KJV Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:
- BSB Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well, all of you sing to it!
- NKJV Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well! All of you sing to it—
- NASB Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well! Sing to it!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Israel sang a song calling on the well to spring up. The people responded to God's gift with joyful praise.
Overview
This brief song of celebration contrasts sharply with the earlier complaints over water. Singing to the well expresses gratitude for God's provision and trust in His promise. The thankful spirit marks a hopeful note as the wilderness years end.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Judg 5:1Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying,
- Jas 5:13Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises.
- Ps 106:12Then they believed his words. They sang his praise.
- Exod 15:1–2Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Yahweh, and said, “I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
- Ps 105:2Sing to him, sing praises to him! Tell of all his marvelous works.
- Isa 12:5Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth!
- Isa 12:1–2In that day you will say, “I will give thanks to you, Yahweh; for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you comfort me.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
In the wilderness Christ is the water from the rock, the bronze serpent lifted up that the dying might look and live (John 3:14), and the star and scepter that Balaam saw rising out of Jacob.
How Numbers 21:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.