Numbers 17:1 kjv
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Numbers 17:1 nkjv
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
Numbers 17:1 niv
The LORD said to Moses,
Numbers 17:1 esv
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Numbers 17:1 nlt
Then the LORD said to Moses,
Numbers 17 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1:3 | Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. | God's powerful speech creating. |
| Exod 3:4 | When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him... | God directly calling to His chosen. |
| Exod 6:10-11 | Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh king of Egypt and tell him" | Similar pattern of God speaking directly to Moses with a command. |
| Exod 20:1 | And God spoke all these words: "I am the LORD your God..." | God directly communicating law and covenant. |
| Lev 1:1 | The LORD called Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting... | God speaking from His dwelling place to Moses. |
| Num 7:89 | When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard | God speaking to Moses from above the atonement cover. |
| Deut 1:3 | On the first day of the eleventh month...Moses proclaimed to the... | Moses speaking God's words after direct divine instruction. |
| 1 Sam 3:10 | The LORD came and stood there, calling as at other times, "Samuel!..." | God initiating communication with His prophets. |
| Jer 1:9 | Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said... | God commissioning a prophet through direct speech. |
| Ezek 1:3 | the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest... | God's word coming to His chosen. |
| Hos 1:1 | The word of the LORD that came to Hosea... | Divine inspiration and prophetic utterance. |
| Joel 1:1 | The word of the LORD that came to Joel son of Pethuel. | Example of a prophetic book introduced by God's word coming to a prophet. |
| Mic 1:1 | The word of the LORD that came to Micah of Moresheth... | Reinforces direct divine origin of prophetic messages. |
| Hab 2:2 | Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain..." | God commanding the recording of His message. |
| Zech 1:1 | In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came | Establishing the authority and source of the prophet's message. |
| John 5:19 | Jesus gave them this answer: "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do..." | Jesus demonstrating perfect submission to the Father's words/will. |
| John 8:26 | I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, | Jesus speaks only what He hears from God. |
| John 12:49 | For I did not speak on my own accord, but the Father who sent me... | Jesus' words are divinely sourced, reflecting the Father. |
| Acts 7:38 | He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke... | Moses' unique position in receiving divine oracles. |
| Heb 1:1-2 | In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets...in these... | God's various methods of speaking, culminating in Christ. |
| 2 Pet 1:21 | For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets... | Scripture originated from God, not human initiative. |
| Heb 5:4 | And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called... | Divine appointment is required for priesthood, contrasting self-appointed leaders. |
Numbers 17 verses
Numbers 17 1 Meaning
Numbers chapter 17, verse 1 states, "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying," This concise declaration signifies a direct, unmediated communication from God (Yahweh) to His chosen mediator, Moses. It immediately follows the profound judgment upon Korah, Dathan, and Abiram's rebellion and the subsequent plague among the grumbling Israelites. The verse acts as a pivotal narrative hinge, marking a fresh divine directive intended to resolve the contentious issue of priestly authority and leadership once and for all. It underscores God's active involvement in the affairs of His people and His clear establishment of order within the covenant community.
Numbers 17 1 Context
Numbers 17:1 occurs at a crucial juncture in Israel's wilderness journey, directly following the deeply unsettling events of chapter 16. In chapter 16, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, along with 250 prominent men, challenged Moses' and Aaron's God-given authority, particularly questioning Aaron's exclusive right to the priesthood. God unequivocally confirmed His chosen leaders by miraculously opening the earth to swallow the rebels and sending fire to consume the incense-offering priests. Despite this clear judgment, the very next day, the entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of "killing the LORD's people" (Num 16:41). This grumbling led to a severe plague that claimed 14,700 lives, which only ceased through Aaron's priestly intercession. Therefore, Numbers 17:1 initiates a new divine decree, designed to settle, beyond all doubt, the contentious issue of true leadership and the legitimate Aaronic priesthood. God's act of speaking "to Moses" reinforces Moses' standing as God's singular appointed messenger to the people.
Numbers 17 1 Word analysis
Then: In Hebrew, "וַיְדַבֵּר" (vay'daber), derived from the verb "דָּבַר" (davar), which means "to speak" or "to communicate." The "Vav-conversive" prefixed to the verb signifies a sequential action, directly linking this new divine instruction to the preceding events of judgment and plague in Numbers chapter 16. It shows the LORD's immediate response to the continued rebellion and murmuring, highlighting divine continuity and authority.
the LORD: The Hebrew "יהוה" (Yahweh), the personal covenant name of God. This name emphasizes God's self-existent nature, His faithfulness to His promises, and His intimate relationship with Israel as their covenant God. The use of this name highlights that the one speaking is the sovereign God who has brought them out of Egypt, provided for them, and established the priesthood, giving ultimate weight to His impending command.
spoke: "דָּבַר" (davar). As noted above, this term indicates more than casual talk; it denotes authoritative, purposeful speech. When God "speaks," it carries the weight of decree, command, or revelation that demands a response. It signifies divine initiative and engagement in the human sphere, establishing truth and order. In this context, it reinforces that the following instruction comes directly from God and not from Moses' own will or decision.
to Moses: Hebrew "אֶל־מֹשֶׁה" (el-Mosheh). Moses serves as God's chosen and trusted mediator, the prophet through whom God communicates His will to Israel. This direct address reiterates Moses' unique role and legitimacy, especially significant given the recent challenges to his leadership. God chooses to speak to Moses, bypassing the grumbling community, confirming His enduring favor upon His appointed servant.
saying: Hebrew "לֵאמֹר" (lemor). This often follows "spoke" and indicates that the direct words of God are about to be quoted or paraphrased. It assures the audience that what follows is divine communication, making it highly authoritative and binding.
Words-group analysis:
- "Then the LORD spoke to Moses": This is a standard and frequently recurring phrase in the Pentateuch, especially in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, underscoring the constant divine initiative in leading Israel. It solidifies the divine origin and authority of the ensuing commands, a critical point after Israel's recent challenges to divinely appointed authority. This consistent pattern asserts the reliability and singular source of Israel's law and practices, standing in stark contrast to the diverse and often conflicting pantheons of surrounding nations.
- "the LORD spoke... saying": This construction emphasizes direct revelation. God is not merely acting in the background; He is communicating specific, verbal instructions through His prophet, intended for the people. This directness sets a foundation for all subsequent commands and ensures there is no ambiguity about the source of authority regarding the priesthood.
Numbers 17 1 Bonus section
The seemingly routine phrase "The LORD spoke to Moses" is a profound theological statement. It signifies divine immanence – God is not distant but actively engaged in the lives and specific circumstances of His people. It also highlights the doctrine of special revelation, where God communicates specific truths directly to humanity through chosen vessels. The repetition of this formula throughout the Pentateuch served as a constant reminder to the original Israelite audience that their laws, rituals, and leaders were not human constructs but were established by the supreme, sovereign God. In the context of Numbers 17, it explicitly shuts down any remaining claims or doubts about Aaron's legitimacy as high priest, shifting the focus from human challenges to divine decree. This moment represents God's authoritative re-assertion of His established order, leading to a miraculous confirmation that leaves no room for further dispute regarding the priestly lineage.
Numbers 17 1 Commentary
Numbers 17:1 is a short, declarative statement that serves as a vital preamble to God's final and decisive confirmation of the Aaronic priesthood. Following persistent rebellion against Moses and Aaron, climaxing in widespread grumbling after divine judgment and plague, God chooses to directly intervene through His authoritative word. This verse re-establishes God as the primary actor and ultimate authority. His direct communication "to Moses" reasserts Moses' divinely appointed mediation and ensures that the upcoming instruction regarding the budding rod test is understood as Yahweh's definitive solution, not a human invention. It underlines divine commitment to order, holiness, and the clear identification of true spiritual authority within His covenant community, providing a solid, undeniable demonstration for all to witness.