Exodus 32:29
For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.
Original Language Analysis
מִלְא֨וּ
Consecrate yourselves
H4390
מִלְא֨וּ
Consecrate yourselves
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
3 of 14
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
יֶדְכֶ֤ם
H3027
יֶדְכֶ֤ם
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
4 of 14
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
הַיּ֖וֹם
this day
H3117
הַיּ֖וֹם
this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 14
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
to the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
to the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֛י
even
H3588
כִּ֛י
even
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִ֥ישׁ
every man
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 14
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בִּבְנ֖וֹ
upon his son
H1121
בִּבְנ֖וֹ
upon his son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּבְאָחִ֑יו
and upon his brother
H251
וּבְאָחִ֑יו
and upon his brother
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
10 of 14
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וְלָתֵ֧ת
that he may bestow
H5414
וְלָתֵ֧ת
that he may bestow
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
11 of 14
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם
H5921
עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Zechariah 13:3And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.Matthew 10:37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.Proverbs 21:3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Historical Context
The Levites' action here secured their role as Israel's priestly tribe (Num 3:12, Deut 33:9-11). Their willingness to execute judgment on family members qualified them to mediate between God and people.
Questions for Reflection
- What relationships must you subordinate to obedience to God?
- How does costly obedience today result in blessing and greater usefulness to God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses' declaration מִלְאוּ יֶדְכֶם הַיּוֹם לַיהוָה (mil'u yedchem hayyom l'Adonai, Consecrate yourselves today to the Lord) uses the idiom 'fill your hand,' the technical term for priestly ordination. The phrase כִּי אִישׁ בִּבְנוֹ וּבְאָחִיו (ki ish bivno uve-achiv, for every man has been against his son and against his brother) indicates their consecration came through choosing God over family. The result—וְלָתֵת עֲלֵיכֶם הַיּוֹם בְּרָכָה (ve-latet aleichem hayyom berachah, to bestow upon you a blessing this day)—shows that costly obedience yields divine blessing. This prefigures Jesus' teaching that following Him costs family relationships (Luke 14:26).