Numbers 9 1

Numbers 9:1 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

Numbers 9:1 nkjv

Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying:

Numbers 9:1 niv

The LORD spoke to Moses in the Desert of Sinai in the first month of the second year after they came out of Egypt. He said,

Numbers 9:1 esv

And the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

Numbers 9:1 nlt

A year after Israel's departure from Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai. In the first month of that year he said,

Numbers 9 verses

Numbers 9 1 Meaning

Numbers 9:1 establishes the setting and divine authority for the instructions that follow. It records that the Lord (Yahweh) communicated directly with Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai. This communication took place specifically in the first month of the second year after the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, signifying a precise divine timing and emphasis on their foundational redemption. This verse prefaces new directives related to the observance of the Passover, anchoring them in a precise moment and location of divine revelation.

Numbers 9 1 Context

Numbers chapter 9, verse 1 strategically shifts the chronological narrative of the Book of Numbers. While Numbers 1:1 begins on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Exodus, Numbers 9:1 recounts events from the first month of the second year. This temporal 'flashback' is deliberate. It provides crucial details about an essential Passover observance that occurred before the census and the detailed preparations for departure described from Numbers 1 onwards. The Israelites were still encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai, a place of profound divine revelation where the Law was given and the Tabernacle constructed. The specific timing of this divine command for Passover, before their journey to Canaan, underscores its importance as a foundational act of worship and remembrance, essential for the identity and purification of the covenant people before moving forward.

Numbers 9 1 Word analysis

• The LORD: Hebrew, "YHWH" (Yahweh). Represents God's personal covenant name. This emphasizes God's direct, personal, and active involvement with His people. It is not an impersonal force but the living God who relates to Israel.

• spoke: Hebrew, "wayedabber" (וַיְדַבֵּר). A strong verb indicating direct, authoritative, and audible communication. It implies a personal and clear divine initiative in revealing His will, underscoring the foundation of Israel's faith in God's spoken word.

• to Moses: Moses serves as the divinely appointed mediator. He is the unique human recipient through whom God conveys His commands to the entire Israelite nation, establishing his unparalleled authority.

• in the Wilderness: Hebrew, "bemidbar" (בַּמִּדְבָּר). A place of isolation and testing, yet also of divine provision and revelation. This setting signifies Israel's nascent identity, relying entirely on God, and is a formative period.

• of Sinai: Hebrew, "Sinay" (סִינַי). The specific location of the Mosaic Covenant. This mountain became synonymous with divine encounter, the giving of the Torah, and the establishment of Israel as God's unique people. It implies a sacred and foundational period.

• in the first month: Referring to Nisan (or Abib). This month holds immense significance as the month of the original Passover and Exodus. It is the beginning of the religious calendar year, pointing to themes of new beginnings and divine timing.

• of the second year: This precise chronological marker emphasizes the historical accuracy and careful dating of events within the divine narrative. It shows God's unfolding plan over time.

• after they had come out: Highlights the pivotal, redemptive act of the Exodus as the central event in Israelite history and identity. This act of liberation from slavery serves as the foundational motive for obedience and worship.

• of the land of Egypt: Represents the place of bondage and the sphere from which God miraculously delivered His people. It is a constant reminder of their redeemed status and God's mighty power.

• saying: Hebrew, "leʼmor" (לֵאמֹר). Introduces the divine communication that follows. It signals that what follows is the direct, spoken word of God.

• "The LORD spoke to Moses": This phrase establishes the immediate source and authority of the ensuing commands. It highlights divine initiative and Moses' mediatorial role as fundamental to the revelation received by Israel. This pattern is consistent throughout the Pentateuch, emphasizing that God's covenant with Israel is based on His direct instruction.

• "in the Wilderness of Sinai": This entire phrase encapsulates the setting for God's covenant with Israel. It points to the time when Israel was directly encountering God's presence, receiving His Law, and becoming organized as a nation under divine authority. The wilderness represents both their testing and their utter dependence on God.

• "in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt": This precise dating is critical. It roots the divine command in a specific historical moment, which also happens to be a significant liturgical time (Passover month). The explicit reference to "come out of the land of Egypt" connects the immediate command (about Passover) back to the original foundational redemptive event, reiterating the theological importance of their liberation as the basis for their identity and their subsequent obedience to God's commands. This dating also creates a crucial narrative re-ordering in the book of Numbers, emphasizing the importance of what is about to be commanded before the major journey forward.

Numbers 9 1 Bonus section

The temporal "flashback" in Numbers 9:1, preceding the overall chronology established in Numbers 1:1, indicates a purposeful literary structuring. It suggests that while the census and organizational details (Chapters 1-8) are vital for the journey, the spiritual preparation—epitomized by the Passover observance—takes precedence. This reordering underscores the theological principle that remembrance of God's saving acts (like the Exodus) and obedience to His ordinances (like Passover) are non-negotiable foundations before embarking on a new phase of obedience and covenant fidelity. It subtly teaches that God's timetable includes pausing for spiritual renewal and foundational truths before active service.

Numbers 9 1 Commentary

Numbers 9:1 is a seemingly simple chronological statement, yet it holds profound theological significance. It asserts the divine origin of the commands that follow, emphasizing that God, "the LORD" (YHWH), actively communicates His will to His chosen mediator, Moses. The location, "Wilderness of Sinai," reinforces the covenant context; it is at this holy mountain that Israel's relationship with God was forged. The meticulous dating—"first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt"—is particularly noteworthy. This is earlier than the general chronological marker of Numbers 1:1. This temporal insertion demonstrates that the narrative order prioritizes theological necessity over strict chronological flow. Before Israel departs from Sinai on their momentous journey towards the promised land, they must first commemorate their foundational act of redemption, the Passover. This annual remembrance is crucial for maintaining their identity and understanding God's continuous work of deliverance and sanctification. The verse highlights God's sovereignty over time and His meticulous care in guiding His people through precise instruction. It serves as a reminder that proper worship and remembrance of God's redemptive acts are essential foundations before embarking on any new chapter of life or mission.