Numbers 35:9
Numbers 35:9 in Multiple Translations
Then 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,
And the Lord spake vnto Moses, saying,
And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying,
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
The Lord said to Moses:
Yahweh also said to Moses/me,
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 35:9
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 35:9 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 35:9
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 35:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Six Cities of Refuge
7The total number of cities you give the Levites will be forty-eight, with their corresponding pasturelands.
8The cities that you apportion from the territory of the Israelites should be given to the Levites in proportion to the inheritance of each tribe: more from a larger tribe and less from a smaller one.”
9Then the LORD said to Moses,
10“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 11designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there.Numbers 35:9 Summary
This verse, Numbers 35:9, is a simple yet powerful statement that shows God is about to give Moses some new instructions. It's like God is saying, 'Moses, I have something important to tell you.' God is getting ready to tell Moses about the cities of refuge, which are special places where people can go if they accidentally hurt someone (as explained in Numbers 35:10-11). This shows that God cares about people and wants to help them, just like He helps us today when we need forgiveness and protection, as promised in Psalm 34:17-18.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Numbers 35:9 start with 'Then the LORD said to Moses'?
This phrase indicates a new instruction or command from God to Moses, similar to other instances in the Bible, such as Exodus 31:1, where God gives specific guidance to Moses on how to build the tabernacle.
What is the importance of the Lord speaking to Moses in this verse?
The Lord speaking to Moses emphasizes the divine origin of the instructions that follow, highlighting God's direct involvement in the establishment of the cities of refuge, as seen in Numbers 35:10-11, and reinforcing the authority of Moses as a leader of the Israelites, similar to Deuteronomy 5:4-5.
How does this verse relate to the previous verses in Numbers 35?
Numbers 35:9 serves as a transition, shifting the focus from the allocation of cities to the Levites, as described in Numbers 35:7-8, to the establishment of cities of refuge, which is the main topic of the subsequent verses, Numbers 35:10-11, and is also connected to the concept of unintentional killing, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 19:1-10.
What can we learn about God's character from this verse?
This verse shows that God is a God of order and provision, as He gives specific instructions to Moses on how to establish cities of refuge, demonstrating His care for the Israelites and His desire to provide a safe haven for those who have unintentionally taken a life, reflecting His mercy and justice, as seen in Psalm 103:8-10.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for God to speak to us today, and how can we hear His voice in our lives?
- How can we apply the principle of God's direct involvement in our lives, as seen in this verse, to our own decision-making and guidance?
- What can we learn from Moses' role as a leader and receiver of God's instructions, and how can we humble ourselves to receive God's guidance in our own lives?
- How does the concept of cities of refuge relate to Jesus Christ as our ultimate refuge and salvation, as described in Hebrews 6:18-20?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 35:9
And the Lord spake unto Moses,.... At the same time, or he continued his speech unto him: saying: as follows.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 35:9
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 35:9
9–34. The ‘Cities of Refuge,’ and the Law relating to homicide In Numbers 35:9-15 the appointment of the six cities and their purpose are prescribed; Numbers 35:16-23 contain specimen cases distinguishing deliberate murder from accidental homicide; Numbers 35:24-28 provide the legal procedure; Numbers 35:29-34 form a conclusion. The section presents the latest development in the O.T. of the Law of Asylum. In early days an appointed place was provided, to which the manslayer might flee, i.e. an altar, which would be within easy reach of every town; cf. 1 Kings 1:50; 1 Kings 2:28. In D (Deuteronomy 19:1-10), when only one altar was permitted, at the national sanctuary at Jerusalem, which would be practically useless for purposes of asylum, special cities were substituted for the local altars. Three cities were specified, and, if Jehovah enlarged the Israelites’ borders, three more were to be added1 [Note: Three have previously been mentioned in Deuteronomy 4:41-43; but it is unlikely that the writer of Deuteronomy 19. understood nine cities to be intended. See Driver, Deut. p. 233. . If the manslayer be guilty of deliberate murder, the elders of his own city shall send to the city whither he has fled for asylum, and shall deliver him up to the gτ’ηl or ‘avenger of blood’; but if the homicide was accidental, he may stay in safety in the city whither he has fled. In the present passage the regulations are fuller. Of the six cities three are to be on each side of the Jordan (the fulfilment of the command, with the name of the cities, is related in Joshua 20).
They receive, for the first time, the title ‘cities of refuge’ (see on Numbers 35:11). When a manslayer flees to one of these cities, ‘the congregation’ (see on Numbers 35:12) judges between him and the gτ’ηl, to discover whether the manslaughter had been deliberate or accidental. If it is proved to be accidental, the man must be taken back to the city of refuge, where he must remain until the death of the high priest. If he ventures out before that time, the gτ’ηl may kill him. If, on the other hand, he is found guilty of deliberate murder, the gτ’ηl must kill him. Gray (Numb. p. 471) points out that this modifies the ancient custom in three respects: (1) Ancient custom made no distinction between accidental and deliberate manslaughter; the gτ’ηl must see that the loss of life suffered by one family is compensated for. (2) In ancient custom the loss could be compensated for by the death of any member of the manslayer’s family. Here the law tacitly insists that the murderer only is to forfeit his life. (3) The present law forbids the forfeited life of the murderer to be redeemed by a money payment. Such redemption was widely prevalent, but except in certain cases—not wilful murder—(cf.
Exodus 21:29 f.) it seems to have been prohibited at an early period in Israel, though the present law contains the earliest explicit prohibition.