Numbers 16 44

Numbers 16:44 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 16:44 nkjv

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Numbers 16:44 niv

and the LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 16:44 esv

and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Numbers 16:44 nlt

and the LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 16 verses

Numbers 16 44 Meaning

Numbers 16:44 signifies the immediate and authoritative communication of the Almighty to Moses, emphasizing divine initiative and a clear re-endorsement of Moses' unique mediatorial role following the widespread rebellion and subsequent plague. At a critical moment of national crisis and judgment, the Creator actively intervenes by speaking to His chosen servant, preparing to reveal instructions for stopping the accelerating pestilence that was consuming the Israelite community.

Numbers 16 44 Context

Numbers chapter 16 records the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron, challenging their leadership and the unique divine appointment of the Aaronic priesthood. Despite Moses' clear warnings and God's dramatic confirmation of His chosen servants (swallowing the rebels by the earth and consuming the 250 incense-offerers by fire), the very next day the entire congregation grumbled against Moses and Aaron. In response to this widespread defiance, a severe plague immediately broke out among the Israelites. Numbers 16:44 serves as the divine interjection and immediate command for intervention during this rapidly escalating judgment. The verse reinforces that in a moment of great crisis and national peril, when human solutions were futile and the divine wrath was evident, the only path forward was direct communication from God Himself, exclusively through His established mediator, Moses. This communication leads directly to instructions for Aaron to make atonement to halt the plague, affirming God's ongoing interaction with His people despite their rebellion, and underscoring Moses and Aaron's indispensable roles.

Numbers 16 44 Word analysis

• And: Hebrew: wa (ו). A common conjunctive prefix, linking the preceding narrative of the plague beginning (Num 16:41-43) to the direct divine instruction. It signals immediate sequence and a direct response from God to the unfolding crisis, emphasizing a continuity in the narrative of divine action.
• the LORD: Hebrew: YHWH (יהוה), the Tetragrammaton. This is the sacred, personal, covenant name of God, frequently translated as "the LORD" in English Bibles. Its use here signifies God's self-existence, His active presence in Israel's history, and His unwavering covenant relationship. In the face of Israel's rebellion and a spreading plague, the invocation of YHWH asserts His sovereignty, authority, and His right to both judge and to provide salvation. It directly contrasts with the claims of authority by Korah and his company.
• spake: Hebrew: wayedabber (וַיְדַבֵּר), Qal imperfect consecutive of the verb dāḇar (דָּבַר). This verb implies a direct, intentional, and authoritative form of communication, often with specific content that demands a response or obedience. It's not a mere suggestion but a divine declaration. The immediate shift from God's wrath in the plague to His speaking signifies His controlled intervention and intention to provide a solution rather than merely observe destruction. This action firmly re-establishes that true authority and word come from God through Moses, directly refuting the popular notion that "all the congregation are holy, every one of them" (Num 16:3).
• unto Moses: Hebrew: ’el-mōšeh (אֶל-מֹשֶׁה). This prepositional phrase explicitly states the recipient of the divine message. Moses' unique and irreplaceable role as God's mediator for Israel is powerfully re-affirmed. Even after a significant challenge to his leadership and a demonstration of divine wrath, God's communication channel remains exclusively through Moses. This reasserts his divinely ordained authority in the wilderness, clarifying who holds legitimate spiritual and leadership authority in Israel.
• saying: Hebrew: lē’mōr (לֵאמֹר). This infinitive construct typically introduces the content of the divine speech. It underscores that the immediately following words are the direct, exact utterances of the Creator. It highlights the verbatim nature of the command and gives the upcoming instruction its full divine weight and urgency. This term frequently emphasizes revelation or declaration in scripture.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And the LORD spake unto Moses": This is a formulaic phrase found over 100 times in the Pentateuch, especially in Numbers and Leviticus. Its consistent use solidifies Moses' standing as God's designated messenger and the sole conduit for divine law and instruction during the wilderness wandering. Its appearance here is crucial because it follows a profound challenge to Moses' authority. The repetition acts as a polemic against the rebellion: despite claims that "all the congregation are holy" (Num 16:3) and implying direct access to God for everyone, the reality remains that God spoke unto Moses, maintaining His chosen communication pathway. It emphasizes the divine initiative and Moses' uniqueness in receiving such direct revelation, confirming that only through divinely appointed leadership can true mediation occur. This specific reaffirmation is critical because the people had just witnessed devastating judgment on those who claimed equal authority, reinforcing that legitimate access and intercession are structured by God.

Numbers 16 44 Bonus section

The repetitive use of the phrase "And the LORD spake unto Moses" throughout the Pentateuch, especially in contexts of crisis or law-giving, firmly establishes it as a theological cornerstone for understanding divine-human interaction in the Old Covenant. Its deployment in Num 16:44 specifically highlights the enduring nature of God's covenant with Moses despite the catastrophic sin and widespread rebellion. It functions as a powerful testament to the stability of divine order versus the chaos of human insurgency. This short verse also sets the stage for God's grace in the midst of judgment, as the subsequent instructions to Moses will lead to the halting of the plague, demonstrating God's justice intertwined with His readiness for reconciliation through prescribed means.

Numbers 16 44 Commentary

Numbers 16:44 is a pivotal interjection that underscores the consistent pattern of divine communication and the unique mediatorial role of Moses in Israel. After the earth consumed Korah and his followers, and a plague ravaged the grumbling congregation, this verse signifies God's active, immediate, and authoritative response to the unfolding crisis. The "LORD" (YHWH) initiates the communication, affirming His continued presence and governance even in judgment. The very act of "speaking to Moses" at such a moment serves as a powerful validation of Moses' authority, which had been so vigorously challenged by the rebels. It demonstrates that despite Israel's defiance and the ongoing judgment, the divinely appointed order for revelation and intercession remains intact, reinforcing Moses' indispensable status. This communication isn't a passive observation of disaster; rather, it is the preamble to a divine instruction, signaling God's purposeful intervention to mitigate His wrath through atonement, channeled directly through His chosen prophet.