Numbers 16:44
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Original Language Analysis
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר
spake
H1696
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר
spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 5
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֖ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 5
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
Moses functioned as mediator of the old covenant, the human instrument through whom God revealed the Law and guided Israel. His unique access to God (Exodus 33:11, Numbers 12:6-8) would not be matched until Christ. This verse's position—immediately before God announces intent to destroy Israel—highlights the tension between divine justice and mediatorial mercy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the repetition of "the LORD spake" emphasize divine agency in both judgment and instruction?
- What does God's continued speaking through Moses despite Israel's rebellion teach about covenant faithfulness?
- How should we respond when Scripture records God's intention to judge, knowing His character includes both justice and mercy?
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Analysis & Commentary
"The LORD spake unto Moses, saying"—for the second time in this chapter (see v. 36), Yahweh dabar (יְהוָה דִּבֶּר) introduces divine speech. The repetition emphasizes that what follows carries full divine authority—not Moses's frustration with persistent rebels but God's own response. The simplicity of the phrase masks the terror of what comes next: God's intention to consume the entire congregation.
This formula appears over 300 times in Scripture, establishing the prophetic authority of the Pentateuch. Each occurrence reminds readers that Moses spoke not his own words but divine revelation, a pattern fulfilled perfectly in Christ, the Word made flesh (John 1:14).