1 When the Canaanite king of Arad, who ruled in the arid southern plain, heard that the Israelites were coming on the Atharim road, he fought against Israel and took some of them captive.
2 Then Israel made a solemn promise to the Lord and said, "If you give this people into our hands, we will completely destroy their city."
3 The Lord heard the voice of Israel and handed the Canaanites over. They completely destroyed them and their cities, so the name of the place is called Hormah.
4 They marched from Mount Hor on the Reed Sea road around the land of Edom. The people became impatient on the road.
5 The people spoke against God and Moses: "Why did you bring us up from Egypt to kill us in the desert, where there is no food or water. And we detest this miserable bread!"
6 So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people and they bit the people. Many of the Israelites died.
7 The people went to Moses and said, "We’ve sinned, for we spoke against the Lord and you. Pray to the Lord so that he will send the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people.