Numbers 26:3 — Word Study
WLCוַיְדַבֵּ֨ר מֹשֶׁ֜ה וְאֶלְעָזָ֧ר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֹתָ֖ם בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ת מוֹאָ֑ב עַל־ יַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרֵח֖וֹ לֵאמֹֽר׃
BSASo on the plainsʻărâbâh [or wilderness, desert plain] of MoabMôwʼâb [a land east of the Jordan, descended from Lot] byʻal the JordanYardên [a key river in Israel's history] across from JerichoYᵉrîychôw [or near, beside, an ancient city, meaning 'its moon'] MosesMôsheh [the Israelite leader, born to Amram and Jochebed] and EleazarʼElʻâzâr [meaning God has helped, a high priest] the priestkôhên [one who serves God and leads worship] issueddâbar▸ the instructionʼâmar [or spoke, gave the order, saying]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר | and he spoke | Verb, Piel, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| מֹשֶׁ֜ה | Moses | Noun proper masculine |
| וְאֶלְעָזָ֧ר | and Eleazar | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| הַכֹּהֵ֛ן | the priest | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| אֹתָ֖ם | with them | Preposition, suffix |
| בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ת | in [the] plains of | Preposition, noun proper |
| מוֹאָ֑ב | Moab | Noun proper |
| עַל־ | at | Preposition |
| יַרְדֵּ֥ן | [the] Jordan | Noun proper |
| יְרֵח֖וֹ | of Jericho | Noun proper |
| לֵאמֹֽר׃ | saying | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | So on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, Moses and Eleazar the priest issued the instruction, |
| KJV | And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, |
| ASV | And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, |
| YLT | And Moses speaketh — Eleazar the priest also — with them, in the plains of Moab, by Jordan, [near] Jericho, saying, |
| WEB | Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, |
| BBE | So Moses and Eleazar the priest gave them the order in the lowlands of Moab by Jordan at Jericho, saying, |
All translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse.
The main clause is supported by prepositional phrases providing context and noun phrases indicating the speakers and the instruction given.
4 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Cambridge, Whedon & more — read them ›
clause
verbדָבַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Numbers 26:3
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Instructions on the Plains of Moabgenerated
Numbers 26:3 describes the moment when Moses and Eleazar, positioned on the plains of Moab, communicated vital instructions to the Israelites. This setting is significant as it marks a transitional phase for the Israelites, preparing them for their entry into the Promised Land after years of wandering. The instructions given are part of a larger census and organization of the people, emphasizing the importance of order and leadership as they move forward.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 26:63 | These were the ones numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest when they counted the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho. |
| 2 | Numbers 22:1 | Then the Israelites traveled on and camped in the plains of Moab near the Jordan, across from Jericho. |
| 3 | Numbers 31:12 | They brought the captives, spoils, and plunder to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the congregation of Israel at the camp on the plains of Moab, by the Jordan across from Jericho. |
| 4 | Numbers 33:48 | They set out from the mountains of Abarim and camped on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho. |
| 5 | Numbers 35:1 | Again the LORD spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho: |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר, vay.da.Bergenerated
The verb דָבַר (dabar) means 'to speak' and encompasses various forms of communication, including declaring, commanding, and conversing. The parsing as a Piel verb indicates an intensive action, suggesting that Moses and Eleazar were not merely speaking but issuing clear and authoritative instructions.
This verb carries a sense of urgency and importance, reflecting the gravity of the situation as they prepare the people for the next steps in their journey. The usage here shows the role of Moses as a leader who communicates God's commands to the Israelites.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree that Moses and Eleazar issued instructions to the Israelites.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the sentence is וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר, and he spoke, which governs the entire clause. The structure consists of a subject noun phrase, מֹשֶׁ֜ה (Moses), and a conjunction introducing another noun phrase, וְאֶלְעָזָ֧ר (and Eleazar), followed by a series of prepositional phrases that provide context about where the speaking occurs.
The arrangement emphasizes the authority of Moses and Eleazar as they address the Israelites, with the geographical context of Moab and the Jordan River enhancing the significance of their instructions.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר as ἐλάλησεν (elalēsen), meaning 'he spoke.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the sense of authoritative communication.
This translation choice reflects the importance of the spoken word in conveying God's instructions, consistent with the Hebrew text.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Numbers 26:3 tells us that Moses and Eleazar spoke to the Israelites while they were in the plains of Moab, giving them important instructions. This moment is crucial as it prepares the people for their journey into the Promised Land.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
They instructed the Israelites to take a census of the whole congregation, emphasizing organization and preparation for entering the Promised Land.
The plains of Moab are significant as they mark the final stage of the Israelites' journey before entering Canaan, highlighting the transition from wandering to settlement.
Eleazar, as the priest, plays a vital role in leading worship and ensuring that God's commands are communicated to the people.
This verse connects to earlier events by continuing the narrative of God's guidance and preparation for the Israelites as they approach the Promised Land.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can I learn from Moses and Eleazar's leadership in communicating important instructions?
- How can I apply the principles of organization and preparation in my own life?
- In what ways can I ensure that I am following and communicating God's commands in my community?
- How does understanding the context of this passage deepen my appreciation for the Israelites' journey?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Numbers 26:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them,.... With the children of Israel, with the heads of them, their chief and principal, to assist in taking the number of the people; as when they were
Read John Gill on Numbers 26 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, No JFB commentary on this verse.
Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 26 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1–4. Moses and Eleazar are commanded by God to number the fighting men of 20 years of age and upwards.
Read Cambridge on Numbers 26 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible3. Plains of Moab — Numbers 22:1, note. Jordan — Joshua 1:2, note and cut. Jericho — Joshua 2:1, note.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Numbers 26 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
So on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, Moses and Eleazar the priest issued the instruction,
Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying,
So on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, Moses and Eleazar the priest issued the instruction,
So Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab, by the Jordan River across from Jericho. They said,
Tyndale line
And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying,
And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying,
And Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
So Moses and Eleazar the Priest spake vnto them in the plaine of Moab, by Iorden towarde Iericho, saying,
Strictly literal
And Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan of Jericho, saying,
And Moses speaketh — Eleazar the priest also — with them, in the plains of Moab, by Jordan, [near] Jericho, saying,
And Moses speaks—Eleazar the priest also—with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, [near] Jericho, saying,
And Moses with El'azar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho, saying,
So Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke to them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho and said,
From the Latin
Moses therefore and Eleazar the priest, being in the plains of Moab upon the Jordan over against Jericho, spoke to them that were
Simplified
There on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan opposite Jericho, Moses and Eleazar the priest gave the order,
So Moses and Eleazar the priest gave them the order in the lowlands of Moab by Jordan at Jericho, saying,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text, Septuagint, and Samaritan Pentateuch are largely in agreement, with the Samaritan Pentateuch differing only in the spelling of Jericho. The Dead Sea Scrolls show two words present on the leather, with the rest supplied by an editor, indicating some damage but retaining the overall message.
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר מֹשֶׁ֜ה וְאֶלְעָזָ֧ר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֹתָ֖ם בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ת מוֹאָ֑ב עַל־ יַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרֵח֖וֹ לֵאמֹֽר׃
10 of the 11 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
וידבר משׁה ואלעזר הכהן אתם בערבת מואב על ירדן יריחו לאמר
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: יריחו (Jericho)
[וידבר] [מושה] [ואלעזר] [בן] [אהרון] [הכוהן] [אות׳מה] [בערבות] מואב על [ירדן] [ירחו] [לאמר]
2 words on the leather — 11 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Numbers 26:3
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
דָבַר (dabar) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning 'to speak.' It encompasses a range of actions including declaring, commanding, and conversing. The root suggests a figurative use of words, with some entries noting a rare destructive sense of subduing. Various forms of the verb indicate different nuances, such as speaking with one another or making promises.
[דָבַר] 1142 vb. speak (original mng. dub.)
Qal speak
Niph. reciprocal sense, speak with one another, talk
Pi. speak
Pu. in the day when she may be spoken for
Hithp. speaking this word
Hiph. either leads subject, or puts to flight, fig. for subdues
base
H1696 דָבַר speak (original mng. dub.)
1696 dabar daw-bar'
a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used
figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive
sense) to subdue:--answer, appoint, bid, command, commune,
declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse,
say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think,
use (entreaties), utter, X well, X work.
דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: speak.
: 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
דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: subdue.
: subdue
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
דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: promise.
: promise/declare
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
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vpw3ms
spok (1Ki 7:33).
See SEA, THE MOLTEN.
מֹשֶׁה (Mosheh) refers to Moses, the prominent Hebrew leader, prophet, and lawgiver. The name is derived from the root meaning 'drawing out,' indicating his rescue from water. He is a key figure in the Old Testament, first mentioned in Exodus 2:10, and is known for leading the Israelites during the Exodus.
מֹשֶׁה 767 n.pr.m. Moses, the great Hebrew leader, prophet and lawgiver
base
H4872 מֹשֶׁה Moses, the great Hebrew leader, prophet and lawgiver
4872 Mosheh mo-sheh'
from 4871; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh,
the Israelite lawgiver:--Moses.
see HEBREW for 04871
מֹשֶׁה (mo.sheh) — Moses.
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
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
mo'-zez, mo'-ziz (mosheh; Egyptian mes, "drawn out," "born"; Septuagint Mouse(s)). The great Hebrew national hero, leader, author, law-giver and prophet.
I. LIFE
1. Son of Levi
2. Foundling Prince
3. Friend of the People
4. Refuge in Midian
5. Leader of Israel
II. WORK AND CHARACTER
1. The Author
2. The Lawgiver
3. The Prophet
LITERATURE
The traditional view of the Jewish church and of the Christian church, that Moses was a person and that the narrative with which his life-story is interwoven is real history, is in the main sustained by commentators and critics of all classes.
It is needless to mention the old writers among whom these questions were hardly under discussion. Among the advocates of the current radical criticism may be mentioned Stade and Renan, who minimize the historicity of the Bible narrative at this point. Renan thinks the narrative "may be very probable." Ewald, Wellhausen…
Moses
Drawn (or Egypt. mesu, “son;” hence Rameses, royal son). On the invitation of Pharaoh (Gen. 45:17-25), Jacob and his sons went down into Egypt. This immigration took place probably about 350 years before the birth of Moses. Some centuries before Joseph, Egypt had been conquered by a pastoral Semitic race from Asia, the Hyksos, who brought into cruel subjection the native Egyptians, who were an African race. Jacob and his retinue were accustomed to a shepherd’s life, and on their arrival in Egypt were received with favour by the king, who assigned them the “best of the land”, the land of Goshen, to dwell in. The Hyksos or “shepherd” king who thus showed favour to Joseph and his family was in all probability the Pharaoh Apopi (or Apopis).
(Heb. Mosheh , "drawn," i.e. from the water; in the Coptic it means "saved from the water"), the legislator of the Jewish people, and in a certain sense the founder of the Jewish religion. The immediate pedigree of Moses is as follows: Levi was the father of: Gershon -- Kohath -- Merari Kohath was the father of: Amram = Jochebed Amram = Jochebed was the father of: Hur = Miriam -- Aaron = Elisheba -- Moses = Zipporah Aaron = Elisheba was the father of: Nadab -- Abihu -- Eleazar -- Ithamar Eleazar was the father of: Phineas Moses = Zipporah was the father of: Gershom -- Eliezer Gershom was the father of: Jonathan The history of Moses naturally divides itself into three periods of 40 years each. Moses was born at Goshen, In Egypt, B.C. 1571. The story of his birth is thoroughly Egyptian in its scene. His mother made extraordinary efforts for his preservation from the general destruction of…
The name of the illustrious prophet and legislator of the Hebrews, who led them from Egypt to the Promised Land. Having been originally imposed by a native Egyptian princess, the word is no doubt Egyptian in its origin, and Josephus gives its true derivation—from the two Egyptian words, MO, water, and USE, saved. With this accords the Septuagint form, MOUSES. The Hebrews by a slight change accommodated it to their own language, as they did also in the case of some other foreign words; calling it MOSHIE, from the verb MASHA, to draw. See Ex 2:10. Moses was born about 15.71 B. C., the son of Amram and Jochebed, of the tribe of Levi, and the younger brother of Miriam and Aaron. His history is too extensive to permit insertion here, and in general too well known to need it. It is enough simply to remark, that it is divided into three…
The Hebrew word אֶלְעָזָר (El`azar) means "God has helped" and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament, including a high priest, a Levite, and a warrior of David. It is derived from the roots for "God" and "helper". The entries highlight various figures named Eleazar, such as the son of Aaron and the son of Abinadab, who played significant roles in Israel's history.
אֶלְעָזָר n.pr.m. (God has helped)
Eleazar the priest
son of Abinadab
one of David’s heroes
a Levite
priest of the time of Ezra
one of the line of Parosh
base
H499 אֶלְעָזָר (God has helped) . Eleazar the priest
. son of Abinadab
. one of David’s heroes
. a Levite
. priest of the time of Ezra
. one of the line of Parosh
499 'El`azar el-aw-zawr'
from 410 and 5826; God (is) helper; Elazar, the name of seven
Israelites:--Eleazar.
see HEBREW for 0410
see HEBREW for 05826
אֶלְעָזָר (el.a.zar) — Eleazar.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.6.23;
son of: Aaron (H0175) and Elisheba (H0472);
brother of: Nadab (H5070), Abihu (H0030) and Ithamar (H0385); married to daughter_of_Putiel (H6317H);
father of: Phinehas (H6372)
§ Eleazar = "God has helped"
1) the high priest son of Aaron
2) Abinadab's son who cared for the ark
3) the priest who rebuilt and dedicated the restored walls of Jerusalem in time of Ezra
4) one of David's mighty warriors
5) a Levite
6) one of the line of Parosh
אֶלְעָזָר (el.a.zar) — Eleazar.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Sa.7.1;
son of: Abinadab (H0041);
brother of: Uzzah (H5798A) and Ahio (H0283)
§ Eleazar = "God has helped"
1) the high priest son of Aaron
2) Abinadab's son who cared for the ark
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
el-e-a'-zar, e-le-a'-zar ('el-`azar; Eleazar, "God is helper"):
(1) The 3rd son of Aaron by Elisheba (Ex 6:23; Nu 3:2).
He married one of the daughters of Putiel, who bore him Phinehas (Ex 6:25). With his father and 3 brothers he was consecrated to the priest's office (Ex 28:1). After the destruction of Nadab and Abihu, he occupied a more important position, and he and Ithamar "ministered in the priest's office in the presence of Aaron their father" (Le 10:6 f; Nu 3:4; 1Ch 24:2 ff). He was given the oversight of the…
Eleazar
God has helped. (1.) The third son of Aaron (Ex. 6:23). His wife, a daughter of Putiel, bore him Phinehas (Ex. 6:25). After the death of Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:12; Num. 3:4) he was appointed to the charge of the sanctuary (Num. 3:32). On Mount Hor he was clothed with the sacred vestments, which Moses took from off his brother Aaron and put upon him as successor to his father in the high priest’s office, which he held for more than twenty years (Num. 20:25-29). He took part with Moses in numbering the people (26:3, 4), and assisted at the inauguration of…
(help of God). Third son of Aaron. After the death of Nadab and Abihu without children, (Leviticus 10:6; Numbers 3:4) Eleazar was appointed chief over the principal Levites. (Numbers 3:32) With his brother Ithamar he ministered as a priest during their father’s lifetime, and immediately before his death was invested on Mount Hor with the sacred garments, as the successor of Aaron in the office of high priest. (Numbers 20:28) (B.C. 1452.) One of his first duties was in conjunction with Moses to superintend the census of the people. (Numbers 26:3) After the conquest of Canaan by Joshua he took part in the distribution of…
1. The third son of Aaron, and high priest after him, Ex 6:23; Nu 20:25-28. The high priesthood continued in his family through seven generations; till the time of Eli, when we find it transferred to the line of Ithamar. In the reigns of Saul and David, it was restored to the line of Eleazar, and so continued till after the captivity.
2. A son of Abinadab, honored with the charge of the ark while it was in his father’s house, 1Sa 7:1.
3. One of David’s champions, 2Sa 23:9; 1Ch 11:11-18.
כֹּהֵן (kohen) means 'priest' and is derived from the active participle of a related root. It encompasses various types of priests, including Levitical, Aaronic, and even pagan priests, as well as chief rulers or principal officers. The term is used in contexts referring to both Jewish and non-Jewish priestly roles.
כֹּהֵן 750 n.m. priest
base
H3548 כֹּהֵן priest
3548 kohen ko-hane'
active participle of 3547; literally, one officiating, a
priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a
layman):--chief ruler, X own, priest, prince, principal
officer.
see HEBREW for 03547
כֹּהֵן (ko.hen) — priest.
1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler
1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah)
1b) pagan priests
1c) priests of Jehovah
1d) Levitical priests
1e) Zadokite priests
1f) Aaronic priests
1g) the high priest
Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
prest (kohen, "priest," "prince," "minister"; hiereus archiereus; for hiereus megas, of Heb 10:21, see Thayer's Lexicon, under the word hiereus:
I. NATURE OF THE PRIESTLY OFFICE
1. Implies Divine Choice
2. Implies Representation
3. Implies Offering Sacrifice
4. Implies Intercession
II. THE TWO GREAT PRIESTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, MELCHIZEDEK AND AARON
III. PRIESTLY FUNCTIONS AND CHARACTER
1. A Strictly Religious Order
2. Priestism Denied
3. The High Priest's Qualifications
4. Symbolism of Aaron's Rod
IV. CONSECRATION OF AARON AND HIS SONS (EXODUS 29; LEVITICUS 8)
1. Symbolism of Consecration
2. Type and Archetype
LITERATURE
A priest is one who is duly authorized to minister in sacred things, particularly to offer sacrifices at the altar, and who acts as mediator between men and God. In the New Testament the term is applied to priests of the Gentiles…
Priest
The Heb. kohen, Gr. hierus, Lat. sacerdos, always denote one who offers sacrifices.
At first every man was his own priest, and presented his own sacrifices before God. Afterwards that office devolved on the head of the family, as in the cases of Noah (Gen. 8:20), Abraham (12:7; 13:4), Isaac (26:25), Jacob (31:54), and Job (Job 1:5).
The name first occurs as applied to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18). Under the Levitical arrangements the office of the priesthood was limited to the tribe of Levi, and to only one family of that tribe, the family of Aaron. Certain laws respecting the qualifications of priests are given in Lev. 21:16-23. There are ordinances also regarding the…
The English word is derived from the Greek presbyter , signifying an "elder" (Heb. cohen). Origin. --The idea of a priesthood connects itself in all its forms, pure or corrupted, with the consciousness, more or less distinct of sin. Men feel that they have broken a law. The power above them is holier than they are, and they dare not approach it. They crave for the intervention of some one of whom they can think as likely to be more acceptable than themselves. He must offer up their prayers, thanksgivings, sacrifices. He becomes their representative in "things pertaining unto God." He may become also (though this does not always follow) the representative of God to man. The functions of the priest and prophet may exist in the same person. No trace of a hereditary or caste priesthood meets us in the worship of the patriarchal age. Once and once only does the word cohen meet us as…
One who officiated in the public worship of God, especially in making expiation for sin, being "ordained for men in things pertaining to God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins." In the Old Testament, the priesthood was not annexed to a certain family till after the promulgation of the law by Moses. Before that time, the firstborn of each family, the fathers, the princes, the kings, were priests in their own cities and in their own houses. Cain and Abel, Noah, Abraham, and Job, Abimelech and Laban, Isaac and Jacob offered personally their own sacrifices. In the solemnity of the covenant made by the Lord with his people, at the foot of Mount Sinai, Moses performed the office of mediator, and young men were chosen from among Israel to perform the office of priests, Ex 24:5. But after the Lord had chosen the tribe of Levi to…
The Hebrew word אֵת (eth) is a preposition indicating nearness or proximity, often translated as 'with' or 'near.' It conveys a sense of companionship or association, distinguishing itself from similar terms by expressing closer relationships. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including possession and memory, but do not provide specific verse references.
אֵת, prep. with—prep. denoting proximity
Of companionship, together with
Of localities
אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially
in one's possession or keeping
in one's knowledge or memory
מֵאֵת from proximity with
Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.
base
H854 אֵת with—prep. denoting proximity . Of companionship, together with
. Of localities
. אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially . in one's possession or keeping
. in one's knowledge or memory
. מֵאֵת from proximity with
Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.
854 'eth ayth
probably from 579; properly, nearness (used only as a
preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by,
at, among, etc.:--against, among, before, by, for, from,
in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional
prefix.
see HEBREW for 0579
אֵת (et) — with.
1) with, near, together with
1a) with, together with
1b) with (of relationship)
1c) near (of place)
1d) with (poss.)
1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
HRd/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3mp
עֲרָבָה (arabah) refers to a desert plain or steppe, often associated with the generally sterile valley of the Jordan and its extension to the Red Sea. It encompasses meanings like wilderness and champaign. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific locations like the Brook of Arabah and the Plains of Moab.
עֲרָבָה 61 n.f. desert-plain, steppe
base
H6160 עֲרָבָה desert-plain, steppe
6160 `arabah ar-aw-baw'
from 6150 (in the sense of sterility); a desert; especially
(with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of
the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea:--Arabah,
champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See
also 1026.
see HEBREW for 06150
see HEBREW for 01026
עֲרָבָה (a.ra.vah) — Arabah.
§ desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness
עֲרָבָה (a.ra.vah) — (Brook of) the Arabah.
Combined with na.chal (נַ֫חַל "Brook" H5158K)
§ desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness
עֲרָבָה (a.ra.vah) — Plains (of Moab).
Combined with mo.av (מוֹאָב " of Moab" H4124I)
§ desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness
עֲרָבָה (a.ra.vah) — (Beth)-arabah.
desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness
Another spelling of bet ha.a.ra.vah (בֵּית הָֽעֲרָבָה "Beth-arabah" H1026)
עֲרָבָה (a.ra.vah) — (Sea of) the Arabah.
Another name of me.lach (מֶ֫לַח "Salt( Sea)" H4417G)
עֲרָבָה (a.ra.vah) — plain.
§ desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness
Prep | N-fp — Preposition · noun properHR/Npl
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
מוֹאָב (Moab) refers to both a person and a territory. It denotes Moab, the son of Lot by his eldest daughter, and the nation and land descended from him. The name means 'of his father,' highlighting the incestuous origins of Moab. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, including references to the Moabites and their territory.
מוֹאָב, מֹאָב 180 n.pr.gent. et terr. Moab
Moab as son of Lot by his elder daughter
Moab:
= nation of which Lot’s son is represented as ancestor
= territory of Moab
base
H4124 מוֹאָב, מֹאָב Moab
4124 Mow'ab mo-awb
from a prolonged form of the prepositional prefix m- and 1;
from (her (the mother's)) father; Moab, an incestuous son of
Lot; also his territory and descendants:--Moab.
see HEBREW for 01
מוֹאָב (mo.av) — Moab.
Moab = "of his father"
the nation descended from the son of Lot
Also named: mo.a.vi (מוֹאָבִי "Moab" H4125)
מוֹאָב (mo.av) — Moab.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.19.37;
son of: Lot (H3876) and his first daughter (H3876H);
half-brother of Ben-ammi (H1151);
§ Moab = "of his father"
1) a son of Lot by his eldest daughter
2) the nation descended from the son of Lot
3) the land inhabited by the descendants of the son of Lot
מוֹאָב (mo.av) — (Plains of) Moab.
Combined with a.ra.vah (עֲרָבָה " Plains" H6160I)
§ Moab = "of his father"
the land inhabited by the descendants of the son of Lot
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
Moab
The seed of the father, or, according to others, the desirable land, the eldest son of Lot (Gen. 19:37), of incestuous birth.
(2.) Used to denote the people of Moab (Num. 22:3-14; Judg. 3:30; 2 Sam. 8:2; Jer. 48:11, 13).
(3.) The land of Moab (Jer. 48:24), called also the “country of Moab” (Ruth 1:2, 6; 2:6), on the east of Jordan and the Dead Sea, and south of the Arnon (Num. 21:13, 26). In a wider sense it included the whole region that had been occupied by…
(of his father), Mo’abites. Moab was the son of the Lot’s eldest daughter, the progenitor of the Moabites. Zoar was the cradle of the race of Lot. From this centre the brother tribes spread themselves. The Moabites first inhabited the rich highlands which crown the eastern side of the chasm of the Dead Sea, extending as far north as the mountain of Gilead, from which country they expelled the Emims, the original inhabitants, (2:11) but they themselves were afterward driven southward by the warlike Amorites, who had crossed the Jordan, and were confined to the country south of the river Arnon, which formed their northern boundary. (Numbers 21:13; Judges 11:18) The territory occupied by Moab at the period of its greatest extent, before the invasion of the Amorites, divided itself…
of his father
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
prep
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
1e) over (of suspension or extension)
1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
1h) to (as a dative)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Prep — PrepositionHR
יַרְדֵן (Yarden) refers to the Jordan River, named for its meaning 'descender.' It is the main river in Palestine, flowing approximately 200 miles from Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea. The entries consistently identify it as a geographical feature without significant disagreement.
יַרְדֵן 182 n.pr.fl. Jordan
base
H3383 יַרְדֵן Jordan
3383 Yarden yar-dane'
from 3381; a descender; Jarden, the principal river of
Palestine:--Jordan.
see HEBREW for 03381
יַרְדֵּן (yar.den) — Jordan.
Jordan = "descender"
the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approx 200 miles (320 km)
Also named: Iordanēs (Ἰορδάνης "Jordan" G2446)
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
jor'-dan (yarden, "flowing downward"; 'Iordanes):
1. Source:
The Jordan river proper begins at the junction of four streams (the Bareighit, the Hasbany, the Leddan, and the Banias), in the upper part of the plain of Lake Huleh. The Bareighit receives its supply of water from the hills on the West, which separate the valley from the river Litany, and is the least important of the four. The Hasbany is the longest of the four (40 miles), issuing from a great fountain at the western foot of Mt. Hermon near Hasbeiya, 1,700 ft. above the sea, and descends 1,500 ft. in its course to the plain. The Leddan is the largest of the four streams, issuing in several fountains at the foot of the mound Tell el-kady (Dan, or Laish) at an elevation of 505 ft. above the sea. The Banias issues from a celebrated fountain near the town of Banias, which is identified as the Caesarea Philippi associated with the…
Jordan
Heb. Yarden, “the descender;” Arab. Nahr-esh-Sheriah, “the watering-place” the chief river of Palestine. It flows from north to south down a deep valley in the centre of the country. The name descender is significant of the fact that there is along its whole course a descent to its banks; or it may simply denote the rapidity with which it “descends” to the Dead Sea.
It originates in the snows of Hermon, which feed its perennial fountains. Two sources are generally spoken of. (1.) From the western base of a hill on which once stood the city of Dan, the northern border-city of Palestine, there gushes forth a considerable fountain called the Leddan, which is the largest fountain in Syria and the principal source of the Jordan. (2.) Beside the ruins of Banias, the ancient Caesarea Philippi and the yet more ancient Panium, is a lofty cliff of limestone, at the base of which…
(the descender), the one river of Palestine, has a course of little more than 200 miles, from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the head of the Dead Sea. (136 miles in a straight line. --Schaff.) It is the river of the "great plain" of Palestine --the "descender," if not "the river of God" in the book of Psalms, at least that of his chosen people throughout their history. There were fords over against Jericho, to which point the men of Jericho pursued the spies. (Joshua 2:7) comp. Judg 3:28 Higher up where the fords or passages of Bethbarah, where Gideon lay in wait for the Midianites, (Judges 7:24) and where the men of Gilead slew the Ephraimites. ch. (Judges 12:6) These fords…
The chief river of Palestine, running from north to south, and dividing the Holy Land into two parts, of which the larger and more important lay on the west. There are two small streams, each of which claims to be its source. One of these, near Banias, anciently Caesarea Philippi, issues from a large cave in a rocky mountain side, and flows several miles towards the south-west, where it is joined by the second and larger stream, which originates in a fountain at Tellel-Kady, three miles west of Banias. But besides these, there is a third and longer stream, which rises beyond the northern limit of Palestine, near Hasbeia on the west side of mount Hermon, flows twenty-four miles to the south, and unites with the other streams before they enter the "waters of Merom," now lake Huleh, the Jordan flows about nine miles south-ward to the sea of Tiberias, through which its clear and smooth…
יְרִיחוֹ (Yriychow) refers to Jericho, a city in Palestine known as 'its moon.' It is located west of the Jordan River and is significant as the first city conquered by the Israelites when entering Canaan. The name may derive from terms meaning 'month' or 'fragrant.' The lexicons agree on its geographical and historical context.
יְרִיחוֹ, יְרִיחֹה, יְרֵחוֹ 57 n.pr.loc. Jericho
base
H3405 יְרִיחוֹ, יְרִיחֹה, יְרֵחוֹ Jericho
3405 Yriychow yer-ee-kho'
or Yrechow {yer-ay-kho'}; or variation (1 Kings 16:34)
Yriychoh {yer-ee-kho'}; perhaps from 3394; its month; or else
from 7306; fragrant; Jericho or Jerecho, a place in
Palestine:--Jericho.
see HEBREW for 03394
see HEBREW for 07306
יְרִיחוֹ (ye.ri.cho) — Jericho.
Jericho = "its moon"
a city 5 miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and 7 miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan
Also named: Hierichō (Ἱεριχώ "Jericho" G2410)
יְרִיחוֹ (ye.ri.cho) — (Plain of) Jericho.
Combined with kik.kar (כִּכָּר "Plain" H3603)
§ Jericho = "its moon"
a city 5 miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and 7 miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
jer'-i-ko (the word occurs in two forms. In the Pentateuch, in 2Ki 25:5 and in Ezra, Nehemiah, Chronicles it is written yerecho; yericho, elsewhere): In 1Ki 16:34 the final Hebrew letter is he (h), instead of waw (w). The termination waw (w) thought to preserve the peculiarities of the old Canaanite. dialect. In the Septuagint we have the indeclinable form, Iericho (Swete has the form Iereicho as well), both with and without the feminine article; in the New Testament Iereicho, once with the feminine article The Arabic is er-Riha. According to De 32:49 it stood opposite Nebo, while in 34:3 it is called a city grove of palm trees. It was surrounded with a wall (Jos 2:15)…
Jericho
Place of fragrance, a fenced city in the midst of a vast grove of palm trees, in the plain of Jordan, over against the place where that river was crossed by the Israelites (Josh. 3:16). Its site was near the ‘Ain es-Sultan, Elisha’s Fountain (2 Kings 2:19-22), about 5 miles west of Jordan. It was the most important city in the Jordan valley (Num. 22:1; 34:15), and the strongest fortress in all the land of Canaan. It was the key to Western Palestine.
This city was taken in a very remarkable manner by the Israelites (Josh. 6). God gave it into their hands. The city was “accursed” (Heb. herem, “devoted” to Jehovah), and accordingly (Josh. 6:17; comp.
(place of fragrance), a city of high antiquity, situated in a plain traversed by the Jordan, and exactly over against where that river was crossed by the Israelites under Joshua. (Joshua 3:16) It was five miles west of the Jordan and seven miles northwest of the Dead Sea. It had a king. Its walls were so considerable that houses were built upon them. ch. (Joshua 2:15) The spoil that was found in it betokened its affluence. Jericho is first mentioned as the city to which the two spies were sent by Joshua from Shittim. (Joshua 2:1-21) It was bestowed by him upon the tribe of Benjamin, ch. (Joshua 18:21) and from this time a long interval elapses before Jericho appears again…
A city of Benjamin, Jos 16:7 18:21, about eighteen miles east north east of Jerusalem, and seven miles from the Jordan. It was the first city in Canaan taken by Joshua, who being miraculously aided by the downfall of its walls, totally destroyed it, sparing only Rahab and her household, and pronounced a curse upon the person who should ever rebuild it, which was more than five hundred years afterwards fulfilled on Hiel, Jos 6:26 1Ki 16:34. Meanwhile a new Jericho had been built on some neighboring site, Jud 3:3 2Sa 10:5. Jericho was also called the "city of palm-trees," De…
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
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)
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc