Deuteronomy 31:25

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Deuteronomy 31:25 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD:

King James Version KJV

That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,

American Standard Version ASV

that Moses commanded the Levites, that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, saying,

Bible in Basic English BBE

Moses said to the Levites who were responsible for taking up the ark of the Lord's agreement,

Free Bible Version FBV

he ordered the Levites who carried the Ark of the Lord's Agreement:

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then Moses commanded the Leuites, which bare the Arke of the couenant of the Lord, saying,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

that Moses commandeth the Levites bearing the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, saying,

World English Bible WEB

Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the LORD’s covenant, saying,

Noah Webster Bible WBS

That Moses commanded the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

He commanded the Levites, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord. saying:

Translation for Translators T4T

Then Moses/I told the descendants of Levi, who were carrying the Sacred Chest that contained the Ten Commandments,

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 31:25

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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.

Deuteronomy 31:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יְצַ֤ו מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶת הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם נֹ֥שְׂאֵ֛י אֲר֥וֹן בְּרִית יְהוָ֖ה לֵ/אמֹֽר

וַ/יְצַ֤ו tsâvâh H6680 to command Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms

מֹשֶׁה֙ Môsheh H4872 Moses N-proper

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם Lêvîyîy H3881 Levi Art | Ngmpa

נֹ֥שְׂאֵ֛י nâsâʼ H5375 to lift V-Qal

אֲר֥וֹן ʼârôwn H727 ark N-cs

בְּרִית bᵉrîyth H1285 covenant N-fs

יְהוָ֖ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

לֵ/אמֹֽר ʼâmar H559 to say Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 31:25

וַ/יְצַ֤ו tsâvâh H6680 "to command" Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms

To command or give orders, as seen in the Bible when God gives charge to his people. It can also mean to appoint or ordain someone for a task. This word is used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: 1) to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order 1a)(Piel) 1a1) to lay charge upon 1a2) to give charge to, give command to 1a3) to give charge unto 1a4) to give charge over, appoint 1a5) to give charge, command 1a6) to charge, command 1a7) to charge, commission 1a8) to command, appoint, ordain (of divine act) 1b) (Pual) to be commanded

Usage: Occurs in 475 OT verses. KJV: appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 10:13; Deuteronomy 12:11.

מֹשֶׁה֙ 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.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

הַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם Lêvîyîy H3881 "Levi" Art | Ngmpa

A Levite is a descendant of Levi, one of Jacob's 12 sons, mentioned in Genesis 29:34. Levi's brothers include Reuben, Simeon, and Judah. His descendants played a key role in Israel's spiritual life.

Definition: Someone from the tribe of Levi living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.34; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115) Another name of le.vi (לֵוִי "Levi" H3878) § Levite, of Levi "joined to" 1) the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah 1a) the tribe descended from Levi specially set aside by God for His service

Usage: Occurs in 258 OT verses. KJV: Leviite. See also: Exodus 4:14; 1 Chronicles 6:33; Ezra 6:20.

נֹ֥שְׂאֵ֛י nâsâʼ H5375 "to lift" V-Qal

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.

Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought

Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.

אֲר֥וֹן ʼârôwn H727 "ark" N-cs

The Hebrew word for a box or chest, like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus 25:10-22. It can also mean a money chest or a coffin. In the Bible, it appears in stories about the Israelites and their sacred objects.

Definition: 1) chest, ark 1a) money chest 1b) Ark of the Covenant 2)(TWOT) coffin

Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: ark, chest, coffin. See also: Genesis 50:26; 1 Samuel 6:15; Psalms 132:8.

בְּרִית bᵉrîyth H1285 "covenant" N-fs

A covenant is a promise or agreement between people or between God and people, like a treaty or alliance. It is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis, where God makes a covenant with Abraham. This concept is central to the Bible.

Definition: 1) covenant, alliance, pledge 1a) between men 1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man) 1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects) 1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man) 1a4) alliance (of friendship) 1a5) alliance (of marriage) 1b) between God and man 1b1) alliance (of friendship) 1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges) 2) (phrases) 2a) covenant making 2b) covenant keeping 2c) covenant violation

Usage: Occurs in 264 OT verses. KJV: confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. See also: Genesis 6:18; Judges 20:27; Psalms 25:10.

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.

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 — Deuteronomy 31:25

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Deuteronomy 31:25 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 31:25
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 31:25
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 31:25
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 31:25
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 31:25

Context — The Law Placed in the Ark

23Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to give them, and I will be with you.” 24When Moses had finished writing in a book the words of this law from beginning to end,

25he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD:

26“Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, so that it may remain there as a witness against you. 27For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you are already rebelling against the LORD while I am still alive, how much more will you rebel after my death!

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Deuteronomy 31:9	So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:25 Summary

[In Deuteronomy 31:25, Moses gives a command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD. This means that Moses is passing on important instructions to the people who were responsible for taking care of the ark, which was a special symbol of God's presence. Just like the Levites, we have responsibilities to carry out God's plans, as seen in Matthew 28:18-20. By following God's commands and being faithful, we can be vessels for His presence and purposes in our lives, just like the ark was for the Israelites.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Moses give a command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD?

Moses gave this command to the Levites because they were the ones responsible for carrying the ark, which represented God's presence among the Israelites, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:9 and Numbers 4:15. This command was important for the Levites to fulfill their duties and ensure the Israelites followed God's laws.

What was the significance of the ark of the covenant of the LORD in this context?

The ark of the covenant of the LORD was a symbol of God's presence and covenant with the Israelites, as mentioned in Exodus 25:22 and Deuteronomy 31:26. It was a reminder of God's promises and expectations for His people.

How does this verse relate to the transfer of leadership from Moses to Joshua?

This verse is part of the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:23, where the LORD commissions Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Moses is ensuring that the Levites, who carried the ark, are aware of their responsibilities in this new era of leadership.

What can we learn from Moses' actions in this verse about leadership and delegation?

Moses' actions in this verse demonstrate the importance of clear communication, delegation, and trust in leadership, as seen in Exodus 18:13-27 and Numbers 27:18-23. Leaders must empower and instruct those under their care to fulfill their responsibilities and carry out God's plans.

Reflection Questions

What responsibilities has God given me to carry out, and how can I ensure I fulfill them faithfully?
How can I, like the Levites, be a vessel for God's presence and purposes in my community?
What does this verse teach me about the importance of obedience and following God's commands, even when it's challenging?
In what ways can I, like Moses, delegate tasks and trust others to carry out God's work, while still being responsible for the overall mission?

Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 31:25

That Moses commanded the Levites,.... These were not the common Levites, but the priests who were also Levites, to whom the law was given, Deuteronomy 31:9; and none but they might touch the ark, or

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 31:25

That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, No JFB commentary on this verse.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 31:25

The Levites, i.e. the priests, who also were Levites.

Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 31:25

Deuteronomy 31:24-28. OF THE BOOKS OF MOSES TO THE LEVITES.(24) When Moses had made an end of writing.—This means the completion of the books of Moses as he delivered them to Israel; not merely Deuteronomy, as above, in Deuteronomy 31:9, but the whole, including the song mentioned in Deuteronomy 31:22. The song was probably the end of the book as delivered to them by Moses. In a book.—’Al-sêpher; upon a roll. The Pentateuch is written upon a single roll to this day. (25) The Levites, which bare the ark.—Observe this, and comp. Deuteronomy 31:9, above. (26) In the side of the ark.—More literally, beside, Rashi says, “The wise men of Israel differ about this in the treatise Baba Bathra (in the Talmud). Some of them say there was a leaf or slab projecting from the ark outside, and there the book was placed. Others say that it was placed beside the tables of the covenant in the ark itself.” (28) Gather unto me all the elders.—In like manner Joshua gave a special charge to the elders at the close of his life (Joshua 23).

Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 31:25

25. the Levites which bare, etc.] See on Deuteronomy 31:9, Deuteronomy 10:8, Deuteronomy 17:18. These cannot be P’s Levites, who could not enter the Holy of Holies where the Ark lay. On the Ark of the Covenant see note on Deuteronomy 10:8.