Numbers 12:6
And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
Original Language Analysis
שִׁמְעוּ
Hear
H8085
שִׁמְעוּ
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 14
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
נָ֣א
H4994
נָ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
3 of 14
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
דְבָרָ֑י
now my words
H1697
דְבָרָ֑י
now my words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
4 of 14
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
5 of 14
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִֽהְיֶה֙
H1961
יִֽהְיֶה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
נְבִ֣יאֲכֶ֔ם
If there be a prophet
H5030
נְבִ֣יאֲכֶ֔ם
If there be a prophet
Strong's:
H5030
Word #:
7 of 14
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
יְהוָ֗ה
among you I the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
among you I the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶתְוַדָּ֔ע
will make myself known
H3045
אֶתְוַדָּ֔ע
will make myself known
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
11 of 14
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
Cross References
Genesis 46:2And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.1 Kings 3:5In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.Luke 1:22And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.Luke 1:11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.Daniel 10:8Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.Ezekiel 1:1Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.Acts 10:11And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:Matthew 1:20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.Daniel 8:2And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.Psalms 89:19Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern prophets typically received messages through dreams, visions, or ecstatic states. Moses' unique access to direct conversation with God set him apart as unmatched mediator until Christ, 'a prophet like unto Moses' (Deuteronomy 18:15).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' unique access to God point forward to Christ as the ultimate Mediator?
- What difference should it make that you have direct access to God through Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God distinguishes Moses' unique prophetic ministry from other prophets who received visions and dreams. While these indirect revelations were common, Moses enjoyed face-to-face communion with God. This direct communication established Moses' authority and prefigured Christ, who has seen the Father and makes Him known (John 1:18). The phrase 'if there be a prophet' acknowledges other legitimate prophets while elevating Moses' unparalleled intimacy.