Numbers 20:6

Authorized King James Version

And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֹא֩
went
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
מֹשֶׁ֨ה
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#3
וְאַֽהֲרֹ֜ן
and Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#4
פְּנֵיהֶ֑ם
from the presence
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#5
הַקָּהָ֗ל
of the assembly
assemblage (usually concretely)
#6
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
פֶּ֙תַח֙
unto the door
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
#8
אֹ֣הֶל
of the tabernacle
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
#9
מוֹעֵ֔ד
of the congregation
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
#10
וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ
and they fell
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#11
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
פְּנֵיהֶ֑ם
from the presence
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#13
וַיֵּרָ֥א
appeared
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#14
כְבוֹד
and the glory
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
#15
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#16
אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
near, with or among; often in general, to

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Numbers. The concept of glory reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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