Numbers 3:14
Numbers 3:14 in Multiple Translations
Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, saying,
¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,
And Jehovah spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,
And the Lord said to Moses in the waste land of Sinai,
The Lord spoke to Moses in the Sinai desert. He told him,
Moreouer, the Lord spake vnto Moses in the wildernesse of Sinai, saying,
And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,
The LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,
And the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,
And the Lord spoke to Moses in the desert of Sinai, saying:
Yahweh spoke to Moses/me again in the Sinai Desert. He said,
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 3:14
BAB
Word Study
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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 3:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֤ר
יְהוָה֙
אֶל
מֹשֶׁ֔ה
בְּ/מִדְבַּ֥ר
סִינַ֖י
לֵ/אמֹֽר
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֤ר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
יְהוָה֙
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
מֹשֶׁ֔ה
Môsheh
H4872
Moses
N-proper
בְּ/מִדְבַּ֥ר
midbâr
H4057
mouth
Prep | N-ms
סִינַ֖י
Çîynay
H5514
Sinai
N-proper
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 3:14
וַ/יְדַבֵּ֤ר
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.
יְהוָה֙
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.
מֹשֶׁ֔ה
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.
בְּ/מִדְבַּ֥ר
midbâr
H4057
"mouth"
Prep | N-ms
The wilderness refers to a desert or open field, like the one the Israelites wandered in after leaving Egypt. It can also mean a place of solitude or a region without many people. In the Bible, it is often associated with the journey to the Promised Land.
Definition: 1) mouth 1a) mouth (as organ of speech)
Usage: Occurs in 257 OT verses. KJV: desert, south, speech, wilderness. See also: Genesis 14:6; Joshua 5:4; Psalms 29:8.
סִינַ֖י
Çîynay
H5514
"Sinai"
N-proper
Sinai refers to a mountain where Moses received the Law from God, located at the southern end of the Sinai peninsula. It is also known as the mountain of Arabia. This site is significant in the Bible as a place of revelation and covenant.
Definition: § Sinai = "thorny" the mountain where Moses received the Law from Jehovah; located at the southern end of the Sinai peninsula between the horns of the Red Sea; exact
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: Sinai. See also: Exodus 16:1; Numbers 1:1; Psalms 68:9.
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 3:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Numbering of the Levites
12“Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel in place of every firstborn Israelite from the womb. The Levites belong to Me,
13for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They are Mine; I am the LORD.”
14Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, saying,
15“Number the Levites by their families and clans. You are to count every male a month old or more.” 16So Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he had been commanded.Numbers 3:14 Summary
Numbers 3:14 tells us that God spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, giving him instructions. This shows us that God is a personal God who communicates directly with those who follow Him, just like He did with Moses. As we read in Exodus 19:1-2, the Wilderness of Sinai was a special place where God met with His people, and in Numbers 3:14, He is giving Moses specific commands regarding the Levites. This reminds us that God cares about every detail of our lives and wants us to follow His plan, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11 and Proverbs 3:5-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Wilderness of Sinai in Numbers 3:14?
The Wilderness of Sinai is where God spoke to Moses, giving him instructions for the Israelites, as seen in Numbers 3:14 and Exodus 19:1-2. This location holds great importance in the history of the Israelites as it was a place of worship, instruction, and covenant-making with God.
Why did God speak to Moses in Numbers 3:14?
God spoke to Moses in Numbers 3:14 to give him further instructions regarding the Levites, as He had previously set them apart for Himself in Numbers 3:12-13, and to initiate the process of numbering them as stated in Numbers 3:15. This conversation between God and Moses emphasizes God's direct involvement in the organization of the Israelites.
Is Numbers 3:14 related to any other events in the Bible?
Numbers 3:14 is connected to the broader narrative of the Israelites' journey, including the events at Mount Sinai, such as the giving of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17, and the consecration of the Levites as seen in Numbers 8:5-26. Understanding these connections provides deeper insight into God's plan for His people.
What can we learn from God's direct communication with Moses in Numbers 3:14?
This verse teaches us about the personal and direct nature of God's communication with His leaders, as also seen in Genesis 12:1-3 with Abraham and in Isaiah 6:1-13 with Isaiah. It underscores the importance of listening to and obeying God's voice, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 13:4 and Matthew 17:5.
Reflection Questions
- How does the fact that God spoke directly to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai inspire your faith and trust in God's ability to guide you?
- What does the specific location of the Wilderness of Sinai add to your understanding of the significance of God's instructions to Moses?
- In what ways can you apply the principle of obeying God's voice, as seen in Moses' actions following God's commands, to your own life and decisions?
- How does recognizing God's direct involvement in the details of the Israelites' lives, such as the numbering of the Levites, influence your perspective on God's involvement in your own life?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 3:14
And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai,.... At the same time he gave the order, and made the declaration before mentioned, and in the place where now the children of Israel were,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 3:14
And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, Number the children of Levi.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 3:14
14–20. Summary of the Levitical families.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 3:14
THE OF THE LEVITES, Numbers 3:14-39. 14. Unto Moses — To whom alone this order is given, probably because Aaron and his sons had a pecuniary interest in the result, inasmuch as the redemption money