Numbers 4:1
Numbers 4:1 in Multiple Translations
Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,
And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
And Jehovah spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
The Lord told Moses and Aaron,
And the Lord spake vnto Moses, and to Aaron, saying,
And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, and unto Aaron, saying,
The LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
And the Lord spoke to Moses, and Aaron, saying:
Then Yahweh said to Moses/me,
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 4:1
BAB
Word Study
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Numbers 4:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֣ר
יְהוָ֔ה
אֶל
מֹשֶׁ֥ה
וְ/אֶֽל
אַהֲרֹ֖ן
לֵ/אמֹֽר
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֣ר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
מֹשֶׁ֥ה
Môsheh
H4872
Moses
N-proper
וְ/אֶֽל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Conj | Prep
אַהֲרֹ֖ן
ʼAhărôwn
H175
Aaron
N-proper
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 4:1
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֣ר
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.
יְהוָ֔ה
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.
וְ/אֶֽל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Conj | 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.
אַהֲרֹ֖ן
ʼAhărôwn
H175
"Aaron"
N-proper
Aaron was the brother of Moses and the first high priest of the Israelites. He was a leader in the Exodus from Egypt and played a key role in the early history of the Israelites. His story is told in Exodus and Leviticus.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.4.14; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Moses (H4872) and Miriam (H4813); married to Elisheba (H0472); father of: Nadab (H5070), Abihu (H0030), Eleazar (H0499) and Ithamar (H0385) Also named: Aarōn (Ἀαρών "Aaron" G0002) § Aaron = "light bringer" brother of Moses, a Levite and the first high priest
Usage: Occurs in 328 OT verses. KJV: Aaron. See also: Exodus 4:14; Exodus 34:31; Numbers 3:39.
לֵ/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 4:1
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Duties of the Kohathites
Numbers 4:1 Summary
[This verse shows us that God is a personal God who communicates directly with His people, just like He did with Moses and Aaron, as also seen in Exodus 33:11 where God speaks face to face with Moses.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does God give instructions to both Moses and Aaron in this verse?
God gives instructions to both Moses and Aaron because they both have important roles in leading the Israelites, as seen in Exodus 4:14 and Numbers 3:1-10, and this instruction is significant for the organization of the Levites.
What is the significance of the Lord speaking to Moses and Aaron in Numbers 4:1?
The Lord speaking to Moses and Aaron signifies the importance of their leadership roles and the divine guidance they receive, as also seen in Genesis 12:1-3 where God speaks to Abraham, guiding him in his journey.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse introduces the census of the Kohathites, which is a crucial part of organizing the Levites for their service in the Tent of Meeting, as further explained in Numbers 4:2-3 and Numbers 4:4-20.
What can we learn from God's direct communication with Moses and Aaron?
We can learn that God values direct communication with His leaders and people, as seen in Deuteronomy 5:4 and Matthew 17:5, where God speaks directly to His people, providing guidance and instruction.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for us today when God speaks to us through His Word, and how can we be more attentive to His voice?
- In what ways can we, like Moses and Aaron, be receptive to God's guidance and instruction in our own lives?
- How does the concept of divine guidance and leadership apply to our personal and communal lives as believers?
- What role does obedience to God's instructions play in our relationship with Him, as seen in the examples of Moses and Aaron?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 4:1
And the Lord spake unto Moses, and unto Aaron,.... After they had taken the number of the Levites, and made an exchange of the firstborn of Israel for them; and now they are ordered to number them a
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 4:1
And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, No JFB commentary on this verse.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 4:1
CHAPTER IV Moses is commanded to take the sum of the sons of Kohath from thirty years old and upward, 1-4. The service which they had to perform, 5-15. The office of Eleazar, 16. The family of Kohath to be continued among the Levites, 17-19. They are not to go into the holy of holies, 20. The sum of the sons of Gershon, 21-23. The service they had to perform, 24-27. They are to be under Ithamar, 28. The sum of the sons of Merari, 29, 30. The service they had to perform, 31-33.
The sum of all the families of Kohath, 2,750, ver. 34-37. The sum of the families of Gershon, 2,630, ver. 38-41. The sum of the families of Merari, 3,200, ver. 42-45. The sum total of the families of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, 8,580, ver. 46-49. NOTES ON CHAP. IV
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 4:1
1–20. The Kohathites and their duties.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 4:1
THE AGE-LIMITS TO SERVICE, Numbers 4:1-3.The Lord in this chapter defines the term of acceptable service to be rendered by the Levites.