Numbers 4:21 kjv
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Numbers 4:21 nkjv
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
Numbers 4:21 niv
The LORD said to Moses,
Numbers 4:21 esv
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Numbers 4:21 nlt
And the LORD said to Moses,
Numbers 4 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 25:1 | "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying," | Initiates instructions for Tabernacle |
| Lev 1:1 | "And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle, saying," | Initiates sacrificial laws |
| Deut 5:4 | "The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire," | God's direct communication with Israel |
| John 1:18 | "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." | Christ as the ultimate revealer of God |
| Heb 1:1-2 | "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son," | God's varied revelation culminating in Christ |
| Exod 19:9 | "And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever..." | God's authentication of Moses' role |
| Num 7:89 | "And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him." | God speaks from the Ark in Tabernacle |
| Jer 1:9 | "Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth." | Prophetic commissioning |
| Isa 55:11 | "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." | The power and efficacy of God's Word |
| Ps 33:9 | "For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." | God's creative power through speech |
| 2 Tim 3:16 | "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," | Divine origin of Scripture |
| 2 Pet 1:21 | "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." | Human authors divinely inspired |
| Deut 18:18 | "I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him." | Prophecy of Christ, the greater Moses |
| Mal 4:4 | "Remember ye the law of Moses, my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments." | Call to obey Moses' law |
| Num 12:7-8 | "My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches..." | Moses' unique direct relationship with God |
| Acts 3:22 | "For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you." | Jesus fulfilling the "Prophet like Moses" |
| Josh 1:8 | "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night..." | Importance of meditating on God's word |
| Ps 119:105 | "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." | God's Word as guidance |
| 1 Thess 2:13 | "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." | Receiving Scripture as God's Word |
| 1 Pet 4:11 | "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God..." | Speaking God's authoritative word |
| Num 36:5 | "And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying," | Further instance of Moses conveying God's word |
| Lev 8:36 | "So Aaron and his sons did all things which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses." | Obedience to God's commands through Moses |
Numbers 4 verses
Numbers 4 21 Meaning
Numbers 4:21 signifies the divine origin and absolute authority of the commands that follow. It emphasizes that the instructions regarding the handling and transportation of the Tabernacle's holy items for the Gershonites were not of human invention but were directly spoken by the Creator of all, Yahweh, to Moses, His chosen mediator. This short phrase underlines the fundamental principle that all aspects of Israel's worship and order were precisely dictated by God Himself, ensuring sanctity and proper reverence for His dwelling place.
Numbers 4 21 Context
Numbers chapter 4 is part of a larger section (Numbers 1-10) detailing the organization of Israel in preparation for their wilderness journey. Specifically, chapter 4 focuses on the duties and responsibilities of the three families within the tribe of Levi—the Kohathites, the Gershonites, and the Merarites—in the disassembling, transport, and reassembling of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings. Verses 1-20 cover the Kohathites, who were responsible for the most holy items. Verse 21 then introduces the specific duties for the Gershonites, who were to carry the coverings, curtains, and hangings of the Tabernacle. This immediate context underscores the meticulous divine provision for order and reverence in handling sacred objects, reinforcing the sanctity of God's presence among His people. Historically, this structuring of roles was crucial for the functional and spiritual life of the wilderness camp, preventing unauthorized access or accidental defilement of holy things.
Numbers 4 21 Word analysis
- And (וַיְדַבֵּר / wa-y'dabēr): The prefix "wa-" is a common conjunction in Hebrew narratives, usually translated as "and" or "now." It seamlessly links this verse to the preceding narrative flow, indicating a continuation of divine discourse after the detailed instructions for the Kohathites.
- The LORD (יְהוָה / YHWH): This is the personal, covenantal name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh. It emphasizes His sovereign, self-existent nature and His intimate relationship with Israel as their God who made and keeps covenant with them. It contrasts sharply with pagan deities and highlights the uniqueness of the God of Israel as the true living God who actively engages with His people.
- spake (וַיְדַבֵּר / wa-y'dabēr): From the root
dabar(דָּבַר), meaning "to speak" or "to command." This form implies a direct, authoritative, and deliberate communication, often denoting the issuance of divine decree or law. It is not merely informal talk but a pronouncement with inherent power and requirement for obedience. This term also carries the weight of a divine oracle. - unto Moses (אֶל־מֹשֶׁה / ʾel-Mōšeh): "ʾel" means "to" or "unto," indicating the direct recipient of God's communication. Moses, as the primary mediator of the Old Covenant, was uniquely privileged to hear God's voice and convey His commands. His special relationship is frequently highlighted in Scripture (Num 12:7-8). This underlines his pivotal role in divine revelation for Israel.
- saying (לֵאמֹר / lēʾmōr): This infinitive construction frequently follows verbs of speaking in Hebrew, signifying that direct speech follows. It indicates that what is about to be presented are the precise, inspired words spoken by Yahweh, reinforcing their absolute authority and the divine authorship of the subsequent commands.
Words-group analysis
- "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying": This is a recurring formulaic phrase throughout the Pentateuch, especially in Leviticus and Numbers, found hundreds of times. Its constant repetition serves several crucial functions:
- Divine Authority: It relentlessly reiterates that the laws, statutes, and judgments given to Israel originated from Yahweh, not from Moses' own will or human wisdom. This negates any suggestion that the Israelite laws were human constructs like the legal codes of other ancient Near Eastern societies.
- Prophetic Mediation: It establishes Moses as the unique and unparalleled prophet and mediator chosen by God to deliver His word to the people. He is presented as the trustworthy channel of divine revelation.
- Literary Cohesion: It acts as a divine interjection, often signaling a transition to a new set of instructions or a new phase of divine communication.
- Polemic against Idolatry: By emphasizing that "the LORD" (Yahweh) is speaking, it implicitly contrasts Him with the mute, dead gods of the surrounding nations. Israel's God speaks, reveals, commands, and interacts actively with His creation.
- Sanctity of Scripture: For the original audience, this phrase imbued the subsequent text with ultimate sanctity and obligation, serving as God's very breath and intent, demanding reverent obedience.
Numbers 4 21 Bonus section
The consistent use of "the LORD spake unto Moses" throughout the Pentateuch creates a strong narrative framework that positions all subsequent laws and narratives within a divine revelation paradigm. This phrase transforms a mere historical account or a set of legal codes into an authoritative and living testament from the divine mouth to humanity. In rabbinic tradition, the specific wording of God speaking "unto Moses" rather than "through Moses" often signifies an exceptionally clear and direct form of revelation, a unique characteristic of Mosaic prophecy where God spoke "mouth to mouth" (Num 12:8). This divine communication model prefigures the ultimate Word becoming flesh in Jesus Christ, who fully declared God to humanity. The divine communication initiated in Numbers 4:21 would have profound implications for the coherence and integrity of the Israelite community, serving as the foundational principle for their legal, ethical, and ritual distinctiveness.
Numbers 4 21 Commentary
Numbers 4:21, though brief, carries immense theological weight by reaffirming the absolute divine origin of Israel's foundational laws and practices. This formulaic opening ("And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying") serves as a bedrock of assurance, declaring that every command regarding the Tabernacle's intricate setup and dismantling for travel—down to the precise duties of the Levites—is a direct decree from Yahweh. It highlights God's meticulous care for His dwelling place among His people, demonstrating that even practical details concerning sacred items are divinely orchestrated for the purpose of maintaining holiness and order in His presence. It signifies that true worship is not about human innovation but faithful adherence to God's revealed will. The unique role of Moses as God's trusted conduit underscores the personal relationship God desired with His people, communicating directly through His chosen servant to convey life-giving truth. The practical application today lies in understanding that genuine obedience stems from recognizing God's revealed word as supreme authority, guiding not only matters of doctrine but also the details of how we approach His holiness.