The Bronze Serpent Lifted Up
Those afflicted in the wilderness live when they look toward the bronze serpent Moses raises at God’s command.
Numbers 21:4–9
4¶ And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
5And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for [there is] no bread, neither [is there any] water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
6And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
7¶ Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
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.
9And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
The Old Testament pattern and its New Testament application
New Testament fulfillment
Jesus' passion and resurrection, commonly dated around AD 30–33
Sources & further reading
Historical facts and interpretive background are kept as structured citations so links can be checked and maintained over time.
The sources establish the historical record and provide background on the biblical passage. The conclusion that these events fulfill prophecy is the stated interpretation of Watchman 33.