Numbers 30 1

Numbers 30:1 kjv

And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded.

Numbers 30:1 nkjv

Then Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, "This is the thing which the LORD has commanded:

Numbers 30:1 niv

Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel: "This is what the LORD commands:

Numbers 30:1 esv

Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the people of Israel, saying, "This is what the LORD has commanded.

Numbers 30:1 nlt

Then Moses summoned the leaders of the tribes of Israel and told them, "This is what the LORD has commanded:

Numbers 30 verses

Numbers 30 1 Meaning

Numbers 30:1 serves as a solemn preamble, establishing the divine authority and the specific recipients for the laws concerning vows and oaths that follow. It declares that Moses, acting as God's faithful mediator, communicated these specific instructions directly to the recognized heads and leaders of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. This phrasing emphasizes that the forthcoming regulations are not human dictates but rather direct commands originating from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, highlighting their absolute and binding nature for the entire community.

Numbers 30 1 Context

Numbers 30:1 appears immediately after a significant section detailing the various offerings for the annual feasts (Num 28-29). The transition to laws concerning personal vows marks a shift from public, communal cultic worship to private, individual religious obligations, yet ones that carry significant public and legal implications within Israelite society. The broader context is the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, where God continued to establish His covenant and give His laws to His chosen people, shaping them into a holy nation. The instruction "to the heads of the tribes of the sons of Israel" indicates a specific method of dissemination for these laws, highlighting that while vows are personal commitments, their validity and consequences often impacted family and tribal units, necessitating clear directives for leadership. This chapter reveals God's meticulous care for the integrity of personal vows, acknowledging their profound spiritual weight as direct promises made before Him.

Numbers 30 1 Word analysis

• Moses (מֹשֶׁה, Moshe): The appointed and faithful mediator through whom God communicated His laws to Israel. His name here emphasizes the direct divine origin of the message, as he is merely the conduit.
• spoke (וַיְדַבֵּר, va-y'dabber): A specific Hebrew verb for speaking, often implying deliberate and authoritative pronouncements, especially when God or His representatives are the subjects. It sets a formal tone for the divine declaration.
• to the heads (אֶל־רָאשֵׁי, el-rashei): "To the heads/chiefs." Rashei (plural of rosh, "head") refers to the appointed leaders or prominent individuals of a group. This indicates that the message was given to those in positions of authority, implying they had the responsibility to convey and enforce these laws within their respective tribal structures.
• of the tribes (מַטּוֹת, mattot): The twelve administrative and kinship divisions of Israel. While matteh can also mean "rod" or "staff," here it refers to the organized tribal units, highlighting the systematic nature of God's administration within Israel.
• of the sons of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, benei Yisrael): "The children/descendants of Israel" (Jacob). This refers to the entire covenant community, the chosen people of God. The instruction, though given to the heads, ultimately pertains to all within this nation.
• saying (לֵאמֹר, lemor): A standard Hebrew particle indicating that direct speech or a verbatim quote follows. It serves to introduce the precise wording of the command given by God through Moses.
• This is (זֶה, zeh): "This." A demonstrative pronoun that points to what is immediately about to be revealed, giving it emphasis and drawing attention to its direct divine origin.
• what the LORD has commanded (הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּה יְהוָה, ha-davar asher tzivah YHVH):
  • the word (הַדָּבָר, ha-davar): Ha-davar is the definite article "the" combined with davar, meaning "word," "matter," "thing," or "command." Here, it signifies a specific, important decree or instruction.
  • commanded (צִוָּה, tzivah): This verb means "to command," "to enjoin," "to instruct with authority." It stresses the binding and authoritative nature of the upcoming laws; they are not suggestions but divine imperatives.
  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHVH): The tetragrammaton, the personal covenant name of God, frequently translated "LORD." This name underscores God's absolute sovereignty, faithfulness to His covenant, and His unique relationship with Israel, affirming that these are not mere human rules but divine laws from the One True God.

• Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the sons of Israel: This phrase defines the specific channel of divine communication for the following laws. Instead of a general address to the whole congregation (as often seen in Leviticus), these specific rules are given to the spiritual and civic leaders, indicating their unique responsibility in upholding and disseminating such community-impacting statutes concerning vows. It reflects an organized and hierarchical communication structure for God's directives.
• saying, 'This is what the LORD has commanded': This declaration acts as a solemn, authoritative preface. It strips away any human origination for the subsequent laws, making it clear that Moses is simply the faithful mouthpiece. It grounds the validity and enforceability of the coming instructions directly in the supreme, unchanging authority of God Himself, imbuing them with profound spiritual weight and obligation for all who hear.

Numbers 30 1 Bonus section

The addressing of the "heads of the tribes" (which included the tribal princes and possibly other key elders) points to an administrative layer within Israel responsible for the legal and social implications of God's covenant laws. This distinct communication channel, different from addressing the whole congregation or just "Moses," suggests the importance of understanding specific leadership roles in applying divine truth. This principle resonates even today, highlighting the vital role of spiritual leadership in faithfully transmitting and applying God's word within His people. It also shows that the concept of delegated authority, where human leaders represent and shepherd the flock based on divine directives, is deeply ingrained in God's way of ordering His people. The phrase "This is what the LORD has commanded" serves as an unbreakable link, tethering the subsequent detailed instructions directly to the unchallengeable will and wisdom of the Almighty.

Numbers 30 1 Commentary

Numbers 30:1 serves as a pivotal introduction, signaling the transition from laws governing corporate worship to those concerning personal yet socially binding religious commitments – specifically vows. The verse emphasizes divine authorship, affirming that Moses, the faithful covenant mediator, did not create these laws but faithfully conveyed them directly from the LORD, the covenant-keeping God of Israel. The deliberate choice to address the "heads of the tribes" highlights the structured nature of God's governance within Israel. These tribal leaders were the immediate recipients and the intended administrators responsible for disseminating and upholding these important family and community-oriented laws concerning vows. It underscores the sanctity of a promise made before God, binding individuals and carrying implications for their household and tribal relationships. This divine command demonstrates God's profound concern for truthfulness, integrity, and the sacredness of human vows.