Numbers 31 25

Numbers 31:25 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 31:25 nkjv

Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

Numbers 31:25 niv

The LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 31:25 esv

The LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 31:25 nlt

And the LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 31 verses

Numbers 31 25 Meaning

This verse functions as a crucial introductory formula, signaling a direct divine communication from the God of Israel (Yahweh) to Moses. It declares that the subsequent instructions regarding the purification of individuals and spoils from the war against Midian originate solely from the LORD Himself, bestowing absolute authority and importance upon the forthcoming commandments.

Numbers 31 25 Context

Numbers 31 narrates the execution of divine judgment against Midian for their role in corrupting Israel (Numbers 25). Following the complete military victory, the Israelite army returns with a vast amount of spoil—people, animals, and items. Verses 1-24 detail the war, the command to take vengeance, and Moses' strong rebuke to the returning warriors for sparing Midianite women who were instruments of idolatry and immorality. Numbers 31:25 immediately precedes instructions for purifying the war spoil. This context highlights the critical need for ritual cleansing after direct engagement with the pagan world and contact with death, ensuring that Israel's camp and its people remain holy before the LORD. The cultural context emphasizes Israel's distinctiveness and the strict purity laws that separated them from surrounding nations' practices, particularly concerning the aftermath of war, pagan worship, and associated defilements.

Numbers 31 25 Word analysis

• And (וַיְדַבֵּר - wa·ye·dabba·ēr): This is part of the common Hebrew conjunctive "and" (וַ waw), connecting this statement seamlessly to the preceding narrative. It implies continuity of the divine narrative and command, leading directly from the problem (Moses' rebuke) to God's solution.
• the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): This is the covenant name of God, Yahweh, emphasizing His personal relationship with Israel, His faithfulness, and His sovereign authority. This is not a generic deity but the specific God who brought Israel out of Egypt and with whom they are in covenant. His speaking here denotes ultimate authority for the laws that follow.
• spake (דַּבֵּר - dabbēr): From the root דָבַר (dabar), which means "to speak" or "to command." This word often signifies a direct, deliberate, and authoritative utterance, often leading to action or an authoritative pronouncement. It suggests God is not merely whispering but giving clear, articulate, and binding instructions. It highlights a purposeful and formal communication from the divine realm to the human.
• unto Moses (אֶל־מֹשֶׁה - ’el-Mōšeh): "Unto" (אֶל ’el) denotes direction or toward. Moses is designated as the sole immediate recipient of this direct divine communication for all Israel. This underscores his unique role as mediator and lawgiver, affirming the divine source of his authority to convey these laws to the people. He is the chosen channel through whom God speaks His will to the nation.
• saying (לֵאמֹר - lē·’mōr): This is an infinitive construct meaning "to say," functioning adverbially as "saying." It commonly introduces direct speech or a specific utterance. Its presence confirms that the words immediately following are a direct quote of God's exact message, reinforcing the absolute truth and authority of the divine command that follows.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying": This precise phrase is a highly standardized formula found repeatedly throughout the Pentateuch, especially in Leviticus and Numbers. Its recurring nature serves to repeatedly impress upon the audience that the following commands, statutes, and judgments are not human inventions or Mosaic opinions but originate directly from Yahweh Himself. This consistent phrasing emphasizes divine initiative, the covenantal nature of the laws, Moses' unparalleled prophetic role, and the unwavering authority of God's Word over Israel's life. It lays the groundwork for obedience, knowing these are the very words of God.

Numbers 31 25 Bonus section

The repetitive nature of "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" throughout the Pentateuch, including this verse, highlights the continual and active engagement of God with His people. It demonstrates God's character as one who communicates His will clearly and directly. This ongoing revelation through Moses prepared the people not only for specific commands but also for the foundational truth that their identity and existence were bound to God's uttered word. This formula establishes a pattern of divine guidance that continues through the prophets, culminates in Christ (John 1:1, Heb 1:1-2), and extends to the inspired Scriptures. It is a constant reminder that Israel's entire system of life, worship, and law was founded upon the explicit commands of their covenant God.

Numbers 31 25 Commentary

Numbers 31:25 is not a commandment in itself but a preamble, acting as a divine legal preamble, establishing the unassailable authority for the purification laws that follow (Numbers 31:21-24). Coming right after Moses' severe reprimand regarding the Midianite women, this verse transitions the narrative from human judgment and strategic issues to divine imperative concerning ritual purity. It reinforces God's meticulous care for Israel's holiness and His order for managing the unclean aspects of war and the pagan world. This framing signifies that even in the gritty realities of warfare, God's standards of separation and cleanliness remain paramount for His covenant people.