Numbers 10 35

Numbers 10:35 kjv

And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.

Numbers 10:35 nkjv

So it was, whenever the ark set out, that Moses said: "Rise up, O LORD! Let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You flee before You."

Numbers 10:35 niv

Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, "Rise up, LORD! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you."

Numbers 10:35 esv

And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, "Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you."

Numbers 10:35 nlt

And whenever the Ark set out, Moses would shout, "Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!"

Numbers 10 verses

Numbers 10 35 Meaning

Numbers 10:35 is a powerful prayer or declaration made by Moses each time the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's active presence and leadership, began to move during Israel's journey in the wilderness. It is an earnest appeal for the Lord to "rise up" – to actively manifest His power and sovereign authority against Israel's adversaries. The core meaning is a profound trust in God as the Divine Warrior who leads His people, scattering His enemies and causing all who hate Him to flee in disarray before His glorious presence, thereby securing victory for His chosen nation.

Numbers 10 35 Context

Numbers 10 marks a significant transition point for the Israelites. After spending nearly a year encamped at Mount Sinai, receiving the Law, and having the Tabernacle consecrated, they are finally commanded to break camp and resume their journey toward the Promised Land (Num 10:11-13). This departure initiates the next phase of their wilderness wanderings, a period fraught with challenges, hostility, and tests of faith. Numbers 10:35, along with the prayer in verse 36, bookends the journey of the Ark, setting a liturgical pattern for the movement of God's people. This verse is uttered when the Ark of the Covenant, carried by the Levites, sets forward from the camp, signifying the dynamic and leading presence of God. It acknowledges that the journey ahead is not merely a geographical one, but a spiritual and military one where God's intervention is paramount against both known and unseen adversaries.

Numbers 10 35 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי - vayəhī): A common Hebrew literary phrase introducing a new, significant event or the continuation of a narrative. It marks a moment of transition and importance.

• when the ark (הָאָרֹן - hāʾārōn): Refers to the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred object in Israel, representing the very throne and presence of the Lord among His people. Its movement symbolized God actively leading and going before them.

• set forward (בִּנְסֹעַ - binsōaʿ): Signifies the physical movement or breaking camp for travel. The Ark literally going forward implies God initiating the journey and leading the way.

• that Moses said (וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה - vayyōmer Mōšeh): Indicates Moses' divinely appointed role as leader, prophet, and intercessor, speaking directly to the Lord on behalf of the entire nation. His words are not merely human utterances but divinely inspired pronouncements.

• Rise up (קוּמָה - qūmāh): A strong imperative verb, literally "Stand up!" or "Arise!" This is not an instruction for God to 'wake up' or become active, but a fervent plea and a battle cry for God to display His active power, intervention, and righteous indignation against His foes. It signifies preparation for decisive action.

• LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH/Yahweh): The covenantal, personal, and proper name of God, revealing His self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. Calling upon YHWH emphasizes reliance on His unique power and personal commitment to His people.

• and let thine enemies (וְיָפֻצוּ אֹיְבֶיךָ - wəyāfūṣū ʾōyveḵā): The enemies mentioned are not merely Israel's, but fundamentally God's enemies. "Enemies" (ʾōyveḵā) denotes adversaries, those who oppose God's rule and His people. The verb "let them be scattered" (yāfūṣū) means to disperse, to be routed, or broken up in disarray.

• be scattered: Implies complete disorganization and loss of cohesion, leading to total defeat.

• and let them that hate thee (וְיָנוּסוּ מְשַׂנְאֶיךָ - wəyānūsū məśanʾeḵā): This phrase amplifies the previous one, describing the enemies not just as opponents but as those who actively bear hatred (məśanʾeḵā) towards God Himself.

• flee before thee (מִפָּנֶיךָ - mippānəḵā): The verb "flee" (yānūsū) indicates running away in terror, demonstrating absolute rout. "Before thee" or "from your face/presence" (mippānəḵā) highlights that it is God's direct, overwhelming presence and authority that causes His enemies to vanish in terror and defeat. They cannot stand against Him.

• "when the ark set forward... Moses said": This phrasing emphasizes that Moses' prayer was synchronized with and directly linked to the movement of the Ark, signifying a dependence on God's active, physical leadership of His people into potentially hostile territory.

• "Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.": This is a direct invocation, a petition, and a prophetic declaration all in one. It defines the conflicts ahead as belonging to God, against His own adversaries, ensuring His victory will be Israel's victory. The two parallel clauses (scattered enemies, fleeing haters) create a powerful poetic rhythm and reinforce the certainty and totality of God's triumph.

Numbers 10 35 Bonus section

The prayer in Numbers 10:35, often referred to as the "Prayer of the Ark," finds a striking echo in Psalm 68:1, suggesting its liturgical adoption and significance in Israel's worship long after the wilderness wanderings. This short verse highlights a crucial aspect of biblical theology: the concept of Yahweh as the Divine Warrior (YHWH Sebaoth - Lord of Hosts), actively engaged in the salvation of His people and the defeat of His foes. The concluding phrase, "flee before thee," points to the overwhelming and unendurable nature of God's presence for those who stand against Him, a theme that resonates through prophetic judgments and even New Testament depictions of the Final Judgment. The consistent practice of proclaiming this prayer whenever the Ark moved emphasizes Israel's consistent need to be led by and dependent upon God, both in their journey and in spiritual warfare.

Numbers 10 35 Commentary

Numbers 10:35 captures the heart of Israel's journey: their complete reliance on God's active presence and intervention for every step and battle. It's a foundational declaration that every conflict faced by God's people is ultimately God's conflict against His adversaries. When the Ark moved, it was not merely a ceremonial object but the visible symbol of the Living God embarking on His campaign. Moses' prayer articulated this profound truth, serving as both a military battle cry and a spiritual invocation. It reflects the truth that ultimate victory comes not through human might or strategy, but through God Himself rising up in sovereign power. This timeless prayer acknowledges that when God leads, no enemy can stand; they are utterly scattered and put to flight simply by the manifest presence of His "face." It serves as a reminder for all believers that our spiritual battles are God's battles, and His presence is our assured victory.