Numbers 13:1
Numbers 13:1 in Multiple Translations
And the LORD said to Moses,
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
And the Lord said to Moses,
The Lord told Moses,
Then afterwarde the people remooued from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wildernesse of Paran.
And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying,
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
And the people marched from Haseroth, and pitched their tents in the desert of Pharan.
Yahweh said to Moses/me,
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 13:1
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 13:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֥ר
יְהוָ֖ה
אֶל
מֹשֶׁ֥ה
לֵּ/אמֹֽר
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֥ר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
מֹשֶׁ֥ה
Môsheh
H4872
Moses
N-proper
לֵּ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 13:1
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֥ר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
מֹשֶׁ֥ה
Môsheh
H4872
"Moses"
N-proper
Moses, the Israelite leader, was born to Amram and Jochebed and led the Exodus from Egypt. He received the law from God and is considered a key figure in the Bible. Moses means 'drawn' in Hebrew.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.10; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Aaron (H0175) and Miriam (H4813); married to Zipporah (H6855); father of: Gershom (H1647) and Eliezer (H0461H); also called Manasseh at Jdg.18.30(?) § Moses = "drawn" the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus
Usage: Occurs in 704 OT verses. KJV: Moses. See also: Exodus 2:10; Exodus 13:1; Exodus 32:21.
לֵּ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Study Notes — Numbers 13:1
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Numbers 13:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 13:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 13:1
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 13:1
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 13:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 13:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 13:1
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 13:1
- Barnes' Notes on Numbers 13:1
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 13:1
Context — The Spies Explore Canaan
1And the LORD said to Moses,
2“Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them.” 3So at the command of the LORD, Moses sent them out from the Wilderness of Paran. All the men were leaders of the Israelites,Numbers 13:1 Summary
This verse shows us that God spoke directly to Moses, giving him instructions and guidance. Just like Moses, we can trust that God will speak to us and guide us in our lives, as promised in Jeremiah 33:3 and Romans 8:14. The fact that God gave a command to Moses reminds us that God is a personal and involved God, who cares about the details of our lives, as seen in Matthew 10:30. By following God's commands and trusting in His promises, we can experience His presence and guidance in our lives, just as the Israelites did on their journey to the Promised Land.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Lord speaking to Moses in this verse?
The Lord speaking to Moses signifies the close relationship between God and Moses, as seen in Exodus 33:11, where it is written that the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.
Is this verse related to any other events in the Bible?
Yes, this event is closely related to the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, as described in the book of Numbers and Deuteronomy, and is also mentioned in other books such as Hebrews 3:16-19.
What can we learn from the fact that the Lord gave a command to Moses in this verse?
We can learn that God often works through human leaders, as seen in Numbers 27:18-23, where the Lord instructs Moses to appoint Joshua as his successor, and that obedience to God's commands is crucial, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 11:1 and Matthew 28:20.
How does this verse fit into the broader narrative of the Israelites' history?
This verse marks the beginning of a new phase in the Israelites' journey, as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, which was promised to them in Genesis 12:7 and reaffirmed in Genesis 17:8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God speaks to us today, and how can we be more attentive to His voice?
- How can we, like Moses, cultivate a deeper relationship with God and become more sensitive to His leading in our lives?
- In what ways can we apply the principle of obedience to God's commands, as seen in this verse, to our own lives and decisions?
- What are some ways that we can trust God's promises, even when the circumstances seem uncertain or challenging, just as the Israelites were about to face in the Promised Land?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 13:1
And the Lord Spake unto Moses,.... When in the wilderness of Paran, either at Rithmah or Kadesh; this was on the twenty ninth day of the month Sivan, on which day, the Jews say (o), the spies were
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 13:1
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men - (cf.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 13:1
NUMBERS CHAPTER 13 God commandeth Moses to send spies to search out the land of Canaan, . Their names, . Moses’ s commandment where to go, and what to do, . Their return with the fruits of the land, and their report, . They are encouraged by Caleb, ; but ten others dishearten them by their false report, . In answer to the people’ s petition about it, as is evident from . And it is probable from the following story, that the people desired it out of diffidence of God’ s promise and providence, though Moses liked of it as a prudent course to learn where or how to make the first invasion. And God granted their desire for their trial and punishment, as well knowing from what root it came.
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 13:1
Numbers 13:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,Ver. 1. And the Lord spake.] Yielding to the people’ s importunity, and winking at their infidelity; for he had before spied out the land for them, and searched it out, but that satisfied them not; seeing was, with them, believing. See Deuteronomy 1:22.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 13:1
XIII.(1) And the Lord spake unto Moses . . . —There is no inconsistency between this statement and that which is contained in Deuteronomy 1:22, where the sending of the spies is represented as having originated with the people. It is there said that the saying pleased Moses well; but it would be wholly inconsistent with the character and conduct of Moses to suppose that in a matter of such importance he should have acted in a accordance with the suggestion of the people, or upon his own judgment, without seeking direction from God. The command which was given to Moses must not be regarded as implying of necessity that the expedition of the spies was, in the first instance, ordained by God, any more than the command which was afterwards given to Balaam to accompany the messengers of Balak was any indication that God originally commanded, or approved of his journey.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 13:1
CHAPTER XIII Twelve men, one out of every tribe, are sent to examine the nature and state of the land of Canaan, 1-3. Their names, 4-16. Moses gives them particular directions, 17-20. They proceed on their journey, 21, 22. Come to Eshcol, and cut down a branch with a cluster of grapes, which they bear between two of them upon a staff, 23, 24. After forty days they return to Paran, from searching the land, and show to Moses and the people the fruit they had brought with them, 25, 26. Their report-they acknowledge that the land is good, but that the inhabitants are such as the Israelites cannot hope to conquer, 27-29. Caleb endeavours to do away the bad impression made, by the report of his fellows, upon the minds of the people, 30. But the others persist in their former statement, 31: and greatly amplify the difficulties of conquest, 32, 33. NOTES ON CHAP.
XIII
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 13:1
1–24. The spies are sent out, and search the land.
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 13:1
And the Lord spake - The mission of the spies was first suggested by the Israelites themselves. See Deuteronomy 1:22.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 13:1
1. Send thou men — Although Canaan had been promised to the Israelites as a God-given inheritance on the condition of their fidelity, yet this promise did not render the means of conquest unnecessary.