Numbers 3:51

Authorized King James Version

And Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּתֵּ֨ן
gave
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#2
מֹשֶֽׁה׃
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
כֶּ֧סֶף
the money
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
#5
הַפְּדֻיִ֛ם
of them that were redeemed
as abstractly (in plural masculine) a ransom
#6
לְאַֽהֲרֹ֥ן
unto Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#7
וּלְבָנָ֖יו
and to his sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#8
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
פִּ֣י
according to the word
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#10
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#11
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
צִוָּ֥ה
commanded
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#13
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#14
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
מֹשֶֽׁה׃
And Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Numbers Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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