Numbers 6 1

Numbers 6:1 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 6:1 nkjv

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Numbers 6:1 niv

The LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 6:1 esv

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Numbers 6:1 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 6 verses

Numbers 6 1 Meaning

Numbers 6:1 signifies the commencement of a new divine decree directly communicated by Yahweh to Moses. It establishes that the subsequent instructions regarding the Nazarite vow are not humanly devised but originate from God Himself, underscoring their authority and binding nature upon the Israelites. This opening verse is a foundational declaration of divine revelation for the laws that follow.

Numbers 6 1 Context

Numbers 6:1 immediately follows chapters 1-5 which meticulously detail the census of Israel, the arrangement of the camp, the duties of the Levites, and various laws concerning ritual purity and restitution for offenses. Chapter 5, for example, discusses purification from defilement and the highly specific law of the jealousy offering for an unfaithful wife. Thus, chapter 6 opens a new legal section that transitions from communal order and general laws of purity to specific, personal vows, namely the Nazarite vow. The formula "The LORD spoke to Moses, saying" repeatedly found throughout the Pentateuch, signals a direct divine intervention, asserting that the following legislation for the Nazarite is part of God's covenant instruction for Israel, integral to their religious and communal life in the wilderness and beyond. This structure emphasizes that Israel's entire legal framework is divinely ordained, not human convention.

Numbers 6 1 Word analysis

• "The LORD":
  • Original Word: יְהוָה (YHWH), transliterated as Yahweh.
  • Significance: This is the Tetragrammaton, God's personal, covenant name revealed to Moses (Ex 3:13-15). It signifies God's self-existence, eternal presence ("I AM WHO I AM"), and His intimate, covenant relationship with Israel. It emphasizes that the speaker is not a generic deity or an idol, but the specific, living God who has entered into a covenant with His people, uniquely involved in their affairs and revealing His will.
• "spoke":
  • Original Word: דִּבֶּר (dibber), from the root דבר (dabar).
  • Meaning: Piel stem often denotes intensive or deliberate speaking. It implies a clear, authoritative, and declarative pronouncement.
  • Significance: This word choice indicates that God's communication is purposeful, distinct, and carries divine weight. It's more than casual utterance; it's a formal and effective communication, typically used when issuing commands, making covenants, or delivering prophetic messages. It signifies direct and intentional communication from the divine realm into human experience.
• "to Moses":
  • Original Word: אֶל־מֹשֶׁה (el-Mosheh).
  • Significance: Moses is divinely appointed as the unique mediator of the old covenant (Deut 5:5; 34:10). This phrase underscores his distinct role and authority as the primary human recipient of God's laws and instructions for the nation of Israel. It highlights that the divine word is being conveyed through God's chosen prophet and leader to the people.
• "saying":
  • Original Word: לֵאמֹר (le'mor), the infinitive construct of אָמַר (amar).
  • Meaning: "to say," "as follows," or "namely."
  • Significance: This is a common Hebrew legal and prophetic formula used to introduce a direct quote or the content of the divine speech. It functions as a precise verbal link between the speaker ("The LORD") and the specific message or instruction that immediately follows, reinforcing that what is about to be read are the exact words or dictates of God, making it a sacred text to be received with utmost reverence.

Numbers 6 1 Bonus section

• This opening formula is a powerful rhetorical device asserting divine authorship over the entire corpus of laws within the Pentateuch.
• It counters any potential perception that these laws are merely human ordinances or cultural practices, instead establishing them as originating from the supreme, transcendent, and living God.
• The repetitive nature of "The LORD spoke to Moses, saying" across Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers serves to continually re-ground the authority of every single commandment, statute, and ordinance given to Israel.
• The direct divine communication with Moses highlights God's initiative in establishing a moral and ritual framework for His people, indicating His desire for ordered and holy living among them.

Numbers 6 1 Commentary

Numbers 6:1 functions as an emphatic preface to the laws governing the Nazarite vow. It's not a mere narrative transition but a theological statement establishing divine origin and authority for the subsequent detailed regulations. The use of "The LORD" (Yahweh) underlines God's covenantal faithfulness and personal involvement, while "spoke" (dibber) highlights His authoritative and deliberate revelation. Moses, as the uniquely chosen intermediary, faithfully receives and transmits these divine words, validating them as direct commands from the Creator, not human tradition or priestly innovation. This foundational formula ensures that every detail of the Nazarite law is seen as emanating from God Himself, demanding Israel's absolute obedience and shaping their understanding of consecrated living. The verse essentially states: "This is a divine directive, hear it as such."