Numbers 29:40
And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵ֣י
the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 11
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כְּכֹ֛ל
H3605
כְּכֹ֛ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֖ה
according to all that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
according to all that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
Numbers 28-29 details daily, weekly, monthly, and annual sacrifices—hundreds of animals yearly. Moses faithfully communicated this massive ritual calendar despite personal preference for spiritual simplicity (see his Midianite years as shepherd, Exodus 3). Faithful leadership transmits God's revealed will regardless of personal inclination.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' formula obedience ('according to all that the LORD commanded') challenge selective teaching that emphasizes favorite doctrines while minimizing uncomfortable truths?
- What does Moses' faithful transmission of complex liturgical details teach about pastoral responsibility to communicate comprehensive biblical truth?
- How can you ensure you're receiving 'all' of God's counsel through Scripture rather than filtering for personally palatable portions?
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Analysis & Commentary
And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses—This formulaic conclusion (וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה... כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּה יְהוָה vayomer Moshe... kekhol asher-tzivah YHWH, 'Moses spoke... according to all that the LORD commanded') closes the extensive festival calendar (Numbers 28-29) by emphasizing Moses' faithful transmission of divine instruction. The phrase according to all (כְּכֹל kekhol) stresses complete, unedited communication.
This verse demonstrates the prophetic office's core function: receiving and delivering God's word without addition, subtraction, or distortion (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19). Moses' consistent faithfulness in transmitting complex liturgical details (dozens of specific animal quantities, grain measurements, timing regulations) models pastoral responsibility to teach 'the whole counsel of God' (Acts 20:27), not selective emphases based on personal preference.