Numbers 34:16 kjv
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Numbers 34:16 nkjv
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Numbers 34:16 niv
The LORD said to Moses,
Numbers 34:16 esv
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Numbers 34:16 nlt
And the LORD said to Moses,
Numbers 34 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 1:1 | "The LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day..." | Similar introductory phrase for census and order. |
| Exod 6:10 | "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the people of Israel go...'" | Divine command given directly to Moses. |
| Lev 1:1 | "The LORD called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying..." | Commencement of ritual laws from God. |
| Num 26:1 | "After the plague, the LORD said to Moses and to Eleazar the son of Aaron, the priest..." | Another divine command to take a census. |
| Deut 4:1 | "Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you..." | Moses' summary of laws, originating from God. |
| Heb 1:1-2 | "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son..." | God's progressive revelation through chosen vessels. |
| 2 Tim 3:16 | "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," | Confirms divine origin of Scripture. |
| Jer 1:4 | "Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying," | Similar prophetic introduction (Jeremiah). |
| Ezek 1:3 | "...the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest...and the hand of the LORD was there upon him." | God's word to a prophet. |
| Hos 1:1 | "The word of the LORD that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri..." | God's word given to a prophet (Hosea). |
| Zech 1:1 | "In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah..." | God's word given to a prophet (Zechariah). |
| Ps 33:9 | "For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm." | Emphasizes God's powerful creative speech. |
| John 1:1 | "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." | God as the ultimate divine Word. |
| Matt 3:17 | "...a voice from heaven said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'" | God speaking audibly concerning His Son. |
| Luke 1:70 | "as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old," | God communicating through prophets. |
| Exod 33:11 | "Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." | Highlights Moses' unique intimacy with God. |
| Num 12:8 | "With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles..." | Reinforces the directness of God's speech to Moses. |
| 1 Pet 1:20-21 | "...men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." | The divine inspiration behind human speech in scripture. |
| Gen 12:7 | "Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, 'To your offspring I will give this land.'" | Original promise of the land to Abraham, now fulfilled. |
| Num 32:6 | "But Moses said to the people of Gad and to the people of Reuben, 'Shall your brothers go to war while you sit here?'" | Moses relaying God's command or principles for division. |
| Josh 14:1 | "And these are the inheritances that the people of Israel received in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel distributed to them." | Fulfillment of land division initiated by this divine word. |
| Jer 30:2 | "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you." | Emphasis on documenting divine words. |
| 1 Sam 3:11 | "Then the LORD said to Samuel, 'Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears it tingle.'" | God's direct speech to a new prophet, Samuel. |
Numbers 34 verses
Numbers 34 16 Meaning
Numbers 34:16 serves as an introductory declaration, signifying the divine origin and authority of the subsequent instructions. It indicates that the commands regarding the specific allocation of the Promised Land to the tribes of Israel, detailing both the precise boundaries and the appointed leaders for its division, are direct revelations from God delivered through Moses.
Numbers 34 16 Context
Numbers chapter 34 provides the meticulously detailed boundaries of the Promised Land of Canaan that Israel is to inherit west of the Jordan River, setting precise geographic limits. Following the detailed enumeration of these borders (vv. 1-15), verse 16 marks a new section. It introduces God's subsequent directives regarding how this land is to be divided among the remaining tribes (specifically excluding Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, who had received their inheritance east of the Jordan). This includes the appointment of specific tribal leaders tasked with overseeing this crucial allocation. This section within Numbers highlights the orderly nature of God's covenant promises, ensuring that the inheritance promised to Abraham long ago would be systematically fulfilled and managed as Israel prepared to enter Canaan after forty years of wilderness wandering.
Numbers 34 16 Word analysis
- Then (וַיְ): This is a "waw consecutive imperfect" in Hebrew, linking the current statement to the preceding narrative. It indicates a sequential action or consequence, suggesting a continuation of divine engagement.
- the LORD (יהוה - YHWH): This is the Tetragrammaton, God's personal, covenantal name, typically translated "the LORD." It emphasizes His role as the sovereign, self-existent God who is in an active relationship with Israel, revealing His will and faithfully fulfilling His promises.
- spoke (דָּבַר - davar): Signifies direct, intentional verbal communication. It's not a mere thought or feeling, but an articulated message, highlighting the clarity and authoritative nature of the divine revelation given to Moses.
- to Moses (אֶל־מֹשֶׁה - ʾel-mosheh): Moses ("Moshe" in Hebrew, meaning "drawn out" or "to draw out") served as the primary mediator between God and Israel under the Old Covenant. This repeated designation emphasizes his unique, unparalleled role in receiving and transmitting divine law and guidance to the people.
- saying (לֵּאמֹר - lēʾmor): A common Hebrew infinitive absolute, frequently used to introduce direct speech. It clearly indicates that the subsequent text is the exact words spoken by the speaker, in this case, God.
Words-group analysis
- "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying": This is a recurring formulaic phrase throughout the Pentateuch, especially in Numbers and Leviticus. Its consistent repetition serves several critical theological purposes:
- Divine Authority and Sovereignty: It stamps the following instructions with absolute divine authority, underscoring that what Israel is to do, or what applies to them, originates not from human counsel but from God's direct command. This reinforces Yahweh's position as Israel's sole legislator and King.
- Revelation and Communication: It highlights God's active involvement in human affairs and His commitment to communicate His will to His people. Unlike the silent idols of surrounding nations, Israel’s God is a speaking God who engages personally with humanity.
- Moses' Uniqueness: By consistently pointing to Moses as the recipient, it reaffirms his exceptional and singular prophetic office within Israel. It legitimizes his leadership and ensures that the people recognize his role as God's faithful mouthpiece.
- Foundation for Obedience: For the Israelites, hearing "The LORD spoke to Moses, saying" would have instilled the imperative to obey, knowing that the forthcoming commands were God's direct word, linking obedience to His very presence among them and their secure inheritance in the land.
Numbers 34 16 Bonus section
- The rhythmic repetition of the phrase "The LORD spoke to Moses, saying..." served as an important theological and liturgical anchor for ancient Israel. It reinforced the distinctiveness of Yahweh as a communicating, covenant-keeping God, sharply contrasting with the voiceless deities of pagan religions.
- This verse, and its many parallels, underlines a core biblical truth about revelation: God chooses human instruments through whom to communicate His will. This pattern sets the precedent for all subsequent prophetic ministry in the Old Testament and finds its ultimate culmination in God speaking through His Son, Jesus Christ (Heb 1:1-2).
- The inclusion of this formula before outlining land distribution reinforces that even seemingly secular or administrative matters for Israel were under divine purview and ultimately derived from God's plan for His people. It indicates that the entire life and organization of the Israelite nation were to be consecrated to and governed by God's commands.
Numbers 34 16 Commentary
Numbers 34:16 is not a command in itself, but an authoritative preamble that sets the stage for God's detailed instructions on the future division of the Promised Land. By prefacing these administrative and practical guidelines with "The LORD spoke to Moses, saying," the text asserts that the meticulous planning of Israel's territorial inheritance is entirely a divine undertaking, reflecting God's order, intention, and commitment to His covenant promises. This formulation underscores the theocentric nature of Israel's identity and future; their land tenure is divinely ordained and governed, not humanly contrived. It demonstrates God's precision and forethought in fulfilling the promise of the land made centuries earlier to Abraham, thereby validating His faithfulness and giving immense weight to the subsequent commands concerning the apportionment and administration of this sacred trust.