Numbers 15 17

Numbers 15:17 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 15:17 nkjv

Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Numbers 15:17 niv

The LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 15:17 esv

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Numbers 15:17 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 15 verses

Numbers 15 17 Meaning

Numbers 15:17 serves as a foundational declaration, signaling the direct initiation of divine revelation. It highlights that the subsequent instructions originate unequivocally from Yahweh Himself, conveyed directly through His chosen mediator, Moses, for the benefit and governance of the Israelite community. This phrase underlines the ultimate authority and divine nature of the laws that follow, affirming God's continued engagement with His covenant people.

Numbers 15 17 Context

Numbers chapter 15, immediately following the rebellion at Kadesh Barnea (Chapters 13-14) where Israel was condemned to wander for forty years due to their disbelief and refusal to enter the promised land, shifts back to providing legislative instructions. While the previous generation faced judgment, God, in His steadfast faithfulness, looks ahead to the generation that will enter Canaan. Verses 17 and onwards introduce a series of laws concerning offerings, accidental sins, and the severe penalty for high-handed, defiant sin. These instructions demonstrate God's continued commitment to His covenant and His people, ensuring they understand the requirements for holy living once they inherit the land. The direct speech "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying" marks the divine initiative in reminding and equipping His people with what is needed for life in His presence and within His promised land, despite their prior failings.

Numbers 15 17 Word analysis

• And the Lord spake (וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה - Wayyəḏabēr Yahweh):
  • וַיְדַבֵּר (Wayyəḏabēr): "And He spoke." This is the waw-consecutive imperfect of the verb דָּבַר (dabar), meaning "to speak," "to command," or "to declare." The "waw-consecutive" indicates a sequential action, emphasizing that this divine communication follows naturally from the previous narrative flow or prior divine action. It signifies a definitive, intentional, and authoritative pronouncement rather than casual talk. God initiates the discourse.
  • יְהוָה (Yahweh): The sacred, personal, and covenantal name of God. This distinct name (often rendered as "the LORD" in English Bibles) signifies God's self-existence, eternal presence, and His faithful commitment to His covenant with Israel, revealed supremely through His acts of redemption and law-giving. It differentiates Him from other deities and highlights His unique relationship with His chosen people, to whom He continually speaks and provides guidance.
• unto Moses (אֶל־מֹשֶׁה - ʾel-Mōšeh):
  • אֶל־ (ʾel): "To" or "unto." This preposition clearly designates Moses as the specific recipient of this divine message.
  • מֹשֶׁה (Mōšeh): Moses, the uniquely chosen prophet and mediator of the Old Covenant. He is consistently portrayed as the one to whom God reveals His laws and purposes directly, to be then communicated to the Israelites. His unique role as God's "mouthpiece" lends unparalleled authority to the commands he transmits, validating them as divinely inspired and ordained. This highlights a foundational biblical pattern of God choosing a human instrument to convey His truth.
• saying, (לֵּאמֹר - lēʾmōr):
  • לֵּאמֹר (lēʾmōr): "Saying" or "to say." This infinitive construct, often found at the end of such introductory phrases, prepares the listener for the direct quote that follows. It acts as a verbal placeholder indicating that the exact words of the Lord are about to be presented. It ensures that the subsequent text is understood not as an interpretation or summary, but as a direct transcript of divine utterance, reinforcing the truthfulness and precise nature of the forthcoming commandments.

Numbers 15 17 Bonus section

• The phrase "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying," or slight variations, appears hundreds of times throughout the Pentateuch, making it one of the most common and fundamental preambles in the Old Testament. Its repetitive use establishes a clear literary pattern and serves as a continuous reminder of the divine source and unchallengeable authority behind the Mosaic Law.
• The transition from a period of judgment (as seen in Numbers 11-14) directly into a segment of law-giving (Numbers 15) underlines a crucial theological point: God's covenant relationship and His word are immutable, enduring even through His people's unfaithfulness. The continued revelation of laws, particularly those concerning entering the land, serves as an anchor of hope and assurance for the future generation of Israelites who would eventually fulfill the promise.
• In the broader biblical narrative, this formula serves as a crucial bridge between God's sovereign will and human responsibility. It highlights the divine initiative in communicating standards for life and worship, framing obedience not merely as a set of rules, but as a response to the direct voice of their covenant God.

Numbers 15 17 Commentary

Numbers 15:17, while seemingly a mere transitional phrase, is profoundly significant as a bedrock declaration of divine authority and grace. It reiterates a consistent theme throughout the Pentateuch: that the law originates from Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God, and is faithfully communicated through Moses, His chosen mediator. This pattern authenticates the commands that follow as truly God's own, not human invention, requiring obedience based on His supreme sovereignty and wisdom. Furthermore, its placement after Israel's profound rebellion at Kadesh Barnea subtly emphasizes God's enduring patience and commitment to His covenant. Even though the rebellious generation faced judgment, God does not abandon His ultimate purpose; He continues to provide guidance and laws for the future generation, demonstrating His grace in looking beyond immediate failure to ultimate restoration and the fulfillment of His promises in the land. This verse thus stands as a testament to God's initiative in maintaining relationship and providing instruction for His people to walk in holiness, foreshadowing His continuous self-revelation for salvation and guidance.