Numbers 32:27
But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith.
Original Language Analysis
יַֽעַבְר֜וּ
will pass over
H5674
יַֽעַבְר֜וּ
will pass over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
2 of 11
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חֲל֥וּץ
every man armed
H2502
חֲל֥וּץ
every man armed
Strong's:
H2502
Word #:
4 of 11
to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflexive) to depart; by implication, to deliver, equip (for fight); present, strengthen
צָבָ֛א
for war
H6635
צָבָ֛א
for war
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
5 of 11
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 11
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה
to battle
H4421
לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה
to battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
8 of 11
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
Israel's conquest wars were explicitly theo-political—God used covenant people as instruments executing judgment on Canaanite wickedness (Genesis 15:16, 'the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete'). This contrasts with modern secular warfare; Israel fought 'before the LORD' as sacred army under direct divine command, not pursuing nationalistic territorial expansion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the phrase 'before the LORD' transform military service into sacred ministry under divine oversight?
- What distinguishes theocratic holy war (Israel's specific calling) from contemporary Christian participation in secular national conflicts?
- How can you approach all life activities with the consciousness that you act 'before the LORD' under His direct observation and authority?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith—The commitment will pass over (יַעַבְרוּ ya'avru) involves crossing the Jordan and fighting before the LORD (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה lifnei YHWH), characterizing warfare as occurring in God's presence under divine oversight. The phrase every man armed for war (כָּל־חֲלוּץ צָבָא kol-chalutz tzava) promises comprehensive military participation—no exemptions, all available warriors.
The phrase before the LORD transforms military action into sacred service. Israel's wars weren't merely political conflicts but theo-political encounters where covenant people served as instruments of divine justice. The New Testament spiritualizes this: 'We do not war according to the flesh... casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God' (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)—spiritual warfare occurs 'before the LORD' as sacred kingdom service.