Numbers 31 1

Numbers 31:1 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 31:1 nkjv

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

Numbers 31:1 niv

The LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 31:1 esv

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Numbers 31:1 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 31 verses

Numbers 31 1 Meaning

Numbers 31:1 introduces the divine source of the command that immediately follows, indicating that the upcoming instruction regarding the Midianites originates directly from the LORD. It establishes God's initiative in warfare against the enemies of Israel, serving as a preamble to the specific orders given to Moses for the military campaign.

Numbers 31 1 Context

Numbers 31:1 follows a period of significant turmoil and judgment for Israel. Chapters 25 and onwards detail Israel's sin with the Moabite and Midianite women at Baal Peor, leading to sexual immorality and idolatry. This transgression provoked God's wrath, resulting in a plague that killed 24,000 Israelites. Phinehas, Aaron’s grandson, by his zealous act, stopped the plague and was granted a covenant of peace (Num 25:7-13). Following this, God commands Israel to "harass the Midianites and strike them down" (Num 25:17-18). Chapter 31, starting with this verse, describes the execution of this divine directive, focusing on the punitive war against Midian. Historically, Moses is nearing the end of his life, and this specific instruction is a pivotal moment in the transition of leadership and the continuation of Israel's journey to the promised land.

Numbers 31 1 Word analysis

• The LORD (יְהוָה - Yahweh):

  • This is the sacred, personal, covenant name of God in the Old Testament, revealing His self-existence ("I AM WHO I AM" - Exod 3:14) and His faithful relationship with His people, Israel.
  • Significance: It underscores that the command originates from the ultimate divine authority, the God who keeps His promises and covenant. It emphasizes a personal, involved deity, not an impersonal force.

• spoke (וַיְדַבֵּר - vay'dabber):

  • From the Hebrew root "dabar," meaning "to speak," "to say," but often implies more than mere utterance—it conveys effective and purposeful communication, leading to action or declaration.
  • Significance: Denotes a direct, deliberate, and authoritative pronouncement. This is not a whisper or a vague impression, but a clear articulation of divine will, signifying that what follows is a binding command.

• to Moses (אֶל-מֹשֶׁה - el-Mosheh):

  • Moses, God's chosen prophet and leader, was the unique recipient of direct divine revelation for the entire community of Israel.
  • Significance: Highlights Moses' unparalleled mediatorial role between God and Israel. It establishes the authenticity and divine endorsement of the message. The entire nation's instructions would come through Moses, solidifying his unique leadership and prophetic office.

• saying (לֵּאמֹר - lemor):

  • An infinitive construct serving as a literary particle often used to introduce direct speech.
  • Significance: It formally announces that the words immediately following are the exact divine utterance, providing direct verbatim content of the command that the LORD gave to Moses. It acts as a clear transition from the narrator's account to the voice of God Himself.

• "The LORD spoke to Moses, saying" (Entire Phrase):

  • Significance: This specific introductory formula is exceptionally common throughout the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers (occurring over 200 times). Its repetitive use consistently establishes the divine origin and authority of the laws, commands, and narratives that follow. It emphasizes that Israel’s instructions, judgments, and entire way of life are divinely ordained, not human inventions or political decrees. It served as a constant reminder to the original audience that they were listening to God's word, communicated through His chosen intermediary, laying the foundation for obedience and accountability.

Numbers 31 1 Bonus section

The consistent formula "The LORD spoke to Moses" reinforces the theological principle of revelation through human instruments chosen by God. This pattern prefigures how God later communicated through other prophets and ultimately through His Son, Jesus Christ, and His apostles. It also contrasts sharply with the polytheistic views of surrounding nations, where multiple deities or ambiguous oracles might provide direction. Here, there is one LORD, with clear, authoritative communication. This emphasis on divine initiative ensures that all that transpired in Israel’s wilderness journey, including difficult judgments like the one against Midian, were firmly rooted in God's holy and righteous will.

Numbers 31 1 Commentary

Numbers 31:1, though brief, is profoundly significant as it underscores the divine initiation behind the war against Midian. This short declaration ("The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,") acts as the unimpeachable stamp of authority, certifying that the subsequent military campaign is not an act of human vengeance or political expansion, but a direct fulfillment of God’s justice in response to Midian's role in corrupting Israel at Baal Peor. It highlights God's sovereignty over events, His active involvement in Israel's history, and the centrality of Moses' mediatorial role in receiving and relaying divine commands, thereby validating every instruction that follows. This verse powerfully reminds us that divine revelation through a chosen servant forms the basis of God's interaction with His people and their consequent actions.