Numbers 15 37

Numbers 15:37 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 15:37 nkjv

Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Numbers 15:37 niv

The LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 15:37 esv

The LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 15:37 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 15 verses

Numbers 15 37 Meaning

Numbers 15:37 records the direct address of Yahweh to Moses, initiating a new set of instructions. This verse, though brief, serves as a crucial preface to the commandment regarding the wearing of fringes (tzitzit), emphasizing the divine origin and authoritative nature of the subsequent law. It underscores God's active involvement in the daily lives and spiritual practices of His people, transmitting His will through His chosen mediator, Moses.

Numbers 15 37 Context

Numbers chapter 15 occurs chronologically after the major rebellion of Israel due to the spies' report, which resulted in God's judgment that the generation over twenty years old would die in the wilderness. Despite this severe judgment, God graciously continues to provide laws for life in the wilderness and the future land of Canaan, emphasizing His unwavering covenant commitment. The chapter includes regulations for various offerings, the atonement for unintentional sin by the community or individuals, and a severe punishment for presumptuous sin, immediately illustrated by the man gathering sticks on the Sabbath (verses 32-36). Verse 37 directly follows this incident, introducing the commandment of fringes (tzitzit). This positioning highlights that even in light of human failure and judgment, God continually calls His people to remembrance and faithful obedience to His Torah through specific, tangible means. The chapter's broader theme is about holiness and distinguishing the clean from the unclean, reinforcing the idea of Israel as a set-apart nation.

Numbers 15 37 Word Analysis

• The LORD:

  • Hebrew: יְהוָה (YHWH), transliterated as Yahweh. This is God's covenant name, signifying His eternal, self-existent, and relational nature.
  • Significance: Emphasizes God's sovereign authority as the source of the command. It's the God who established the covenant with Israel who is speaking. It underscores the divine authority and sacredness of the upcoming law.

• said:

  • Hebrew: וַיֹּאמֶר (vayyomer), from the root אָמַר (amar), "to say," "to speak." This verb indicates a direct and intentional utterance.
  • Significance: It's not a suggestion or advice, but a declarative statement from God. In the context of divine revelation, "said" often implies a command or an instruction, pointing to God's initiative in communicating His will.

• to Moses:

  • Hebrew: אֶל־מֹשֶׁה (el-Mosheh).
  • Significance: Moses is God's chosen prophet and mediator for Israel. This recurring phrase throughout the Pentateuch highlights his unique role in receiving and transmitting divine law to the people. It confirms the authenticity and divine origin of the forthcoming revelation, channeled through the leader recognized by all Israel.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "The LORD said to Moses": This phrase functions as a divine heading for subsequent divine discourse. It establishes God as the ultimate speaker and Moses as the primary recipient and human instrument through whom God's voice is conveyed to His people. It validates the authority and necessity of the following commandment, positioning it not as human invention but as divine injunction.

Numbers 15 37 Bonus section

• Linguistic Precision: The Hebrew phrasing "vayyomer YHWH el-Mosheh" (And the LORD said to Moses) is a highly frequent, almost formulaic introduction to divine commands in the Pentateuch, especially in Numbers and Leviticus. This consistent structure reinforces the idea that the entire Law emanates from God Himself, not from human wisdom or cultural evolution.
• Post-Sabbath Transgression: The immediate placement of this verse and the tzitzit command after the narrative of the man stoned for breaking the Sabbath (Num 15:32-36) is highly significant. It acts as a divine response and preventative measure. The severe consequence of direct disobedience underscores the need for constant remembrance of God's laws, and the tzitzit are provided as a tangible, visual aid to foster that very remembrance. This teaches that even when judgment falls, God provides means for renewed faithfulness.
• Mediatorial Role: Moses's role here as "receiver" of the word is distinct from his previous actions as "intercessor" on behalf of the people. This highlights his dual function as both prophet and mediator, indispensable to the covenant relationship.

Numbers 15 37 Commentary

Numbers 15:37 serves as the formal preamble to one of the most distinctive commands given to Israel: the wearing of fringes (tzitzit). Its concise wording, "The LORD said to Moses," emphasizes several profound truths. Firstly, it reiterates God's continual communication with His chosen people, even after their rebellion and consequent judgment. This highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, continually instructing Israel for their well-being and holiness. Secondly, it reaffirms Moses's indispensable role as the primary human agent through whom God reveals His will, a role unparalleled in the Old Testament save for the coming Messiah. Finally, the direct, declarative nature of "said" underscores the absolute authority of the upcoming command. This is not a matter for human deliberation or choice but a divine imperative designed to help Israel remember all the Lord's commandments and practice them, so they might be holy to their God (Num 15:39-40). The instruction to come forth directly from the voice of Yahweh prepares the audience for a significant, foundational practice in their covenant relationship.