Numbers 35 1

Numbers 35:1 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,

Numbers 35:1 nkjv

And the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, saying:

Numbers 35:1 niv

On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, the LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 35:1 esv

The LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying,

Numbers 35:1 nlt

While Israel was camped beside the Jordan on the plains of Moab across from Jericho, the LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 35 verses

Numbers 35 1 Meaning

Numbers 35:1 introduces a new divine directive from the LORD to Moses as the Israelites are positioned at a crucial juncture, on the eastern side of the Jordan River in the plains of Moab, directly across from Jericho. This verse sets the immediate geographical and temporal context for the subsequent laws concerning the cities for the Levites and, most importantly, the cities of refuge, vital for Israel's forthcoming settled life in the Promised Land. It signifies God's forethought and providential guidance in establishing a framework for justice and spiritual order before the conquest even begins.

Numbers 35 1 Context

Numbers chapter 35 is positioned at a pivotal moment in Israel's journey. It directly follows the detailed instructions for the tribal allocation of the land (Num 34), signifying that the issue of settlement is paramount. The preceding chapters document the census of the new generation (Num 26), laws concerning vows and war against Midian, and most critically, the command to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan and possess the land (Num 33:50-56). Moses and the Israelites are on the threshold of entering the Promised Land after forty years of wilderness wandering. This final segment of Numbers focuses on their future life in the land, ensuring internal justice, the establishment of sanctuary for unintended death, and the sustained spiritual presence through the Levitical cities. The geographical marker "plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho" anchors these future-oriented laws to the very physical and historical moment of imminent transition and fulfillment.

Numbers 35 1 Word analysis

• The LORD:
  • Hebrew: יְהוָה (YHWH), Yahweh, the personal covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent and faithful character.
  • Significance: Emphasizes that these are not human commands but divine decrees from the God who has entered into covenant with Israel, indicating ultimate authority and unwavering purpose for His people. It stresses the foundational divine authorship of these laws for a structured, holy society.
• spoke:
  • Hebrew: וַיְדַבֵּר (vaydabber), from the root דָּבַר (dabar), meaning "to speak, declare, command."
  • Significance: Indicates a direct and intentional communication from God, a specific utterance conveying an authoritative instruction, not a mere suggestion. It signifies the initiation of a new divine decree that has legal and societal implications.
• to Moses:
  • Significance: Reinforces Moses's unparalleled role as God's chosen prophet and mediator of the covenant and laws. He is the exclusive channel through which God delivers these final pre-entry instructions to Israel. This highlights the continuity of divine revelation through him.
• in the plains:
  • Hebrew: בְּעַרְבֹת (be’arbot), from עֲרָבָה (‘arabah), referring to the arid steppes, particularly the rift valley.
  • Significance: Refers to a specific geographical region, the fertile lowlands near the Jordan, east of it. It’s a precise topographical marker, emphasizing the Israelites' concrete location. This setting is where the new generation hears laws crucial for their settled life.
• of Moab:
  • Hebrew: מוֹאָב (Mo'av).
  • Significance: Identifies the territory east of the Dead Sea and Jordan River. This was the last major stopping point before crossing into Canaan, marking the very edge of the promised land and a place of significant prophetic declarations and preparations for entry. It highlights the conclusion of the wilderness wanderings and the imminent new phase.
• by the Jordan:
  • Hebrew: יַרְדֵּן (Yarden).
  • Significance: The primary natural boundary Israel was to cross into the Promised Land. This detail stresses the imminent transition and the physicality of the divine promise about to be realized.
• opposite Jericho:
  • Hebrew: יְרִיחוֹ (Yerichô).
  • Significance: Jericho, the "City of Palms," was the first strategic city in Canaan to be conquered. Being "opposite Jericho" underscores their readiness to invade and settle, adding a sense of immediate anticipation and destiny to these final laws. It geographically links God's command with the imminent fulfillment of His land promise.
• saying:
  • Hebrew: לֵאמֹר (lemor), "saying," often introduces direct divine speech.
  • Significance: A standard formula introducing the direct content of God's commands or instructions. It sets the stage for the specific ordinances that follow regarding the Levite cities and cities of refuge, affirming them as God's very words.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The LORD spoke to Moses": This foundational phrase establishes divine authority for the entire discourse that follows. It underscores the revelation nature of these laws, not human legislation. God Himself is the initiator, communicating His will through His chosen servant, ensuring divine endorsement for every detail. This relationship of divine command through human mediation is central to Old Testament law.
• "in the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho": This comprehensive geographical marker pinpoints the exact physical location of the divine communication. It signifies a transition point: the end of wilderness wandering and the cusp of entry into the Promised Land. The specific names (Moab, Jordan, Jericho) evoke the culmination of Israel's journey, their military preparedness, and the imminence of the land's possession. It roots the spiritual laws in a very tangible and critical historical moment, emphasizing their immediate relevance for the conquest and settlement. This precise localization imbues the forthcoming commands with a sense of urgency and direct application to their immediate future.

Numbers 35 1 Bonus section

The careful emphasis on geographical location in Num 35:1 aligns with a broader biblical pattern where significant divine revelation often occurs at specific, memorable places (e.g., Sinai, the burning bush, specific altars built by patriarchs). This reinforces the concrete historical reality of God's interaction with His people. The "plains of Moab" location also recalls the prophecies given there earlier in Numbers by Balaam, further connecting these practical laws to the larger narrative of God's sovereign plan for Israel. Furthermore, this verse highlights the Mosaic covenant's concern not just with worship but with every aspect of societal life, including urban planning, legal systems, and the allocation of resources—demonstrating God's holistic blueprint for a redeemed community. The explicit naming of the "Jordan opposite Jericho" points directly to the initial act of possessing the land, which would necessitate the very provisions of sanctuary and priestly support described in this chapter, showcasing divine wisdom in providing for future needs before they arise.

Numbers 35 1 Commentary

Numbers 35:1 serves as a crucial preface, grounding the elaborate legal framework for Levitical cities and cities of refuge in the direct command of God through Moses. The detailed geographical markers are not mere incidental details but significant anchors. "Plains of Moab" represents the transition from nomadic wandering to settled agricultural life; "by the Jordan opposite Jericho" highlights the very threshold of the Promised Land, reinforcing the urgency and relevance of these final pre-entry laws. This divine pronouncement, delivered before the conquest, emphasizes God's forethought in establishing mechanisms for justice, social order, and spiritual provision. It underscores that proper governance and a just society are God's design from the very outset of Israel's national life, an integral part of their covenant responsibilities in the land they were about to inherit. These laws are not post-conquest adjustments but foundational requirements, stressing the theological truth that true possession of the land necessitates righteous living within it, guided by God's ordinances.

• Examples:
  • A nation, even before fully establishing its infrastructure, outlining laws for equitable resource distribution and judicial processes to prevent chaos.
  • A family creating a constitution for its home before moving into a new house, emphasizing how decisions will be made, and disputes resolved.