Numbers 20:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Moshe took the staff from the presence of ADONAI, as he had ordered him.

Berean Standard Bible:

So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as he had been commanded.

American Standard Version:

And Moses took the rod from before Jehovah, as he commanded him.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Moses^{H4872} took^{H3947} the rod^{H4294} from before^{H6440} the LORD^{H3068}, as he commanded^{H6680} him.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 20:9

Numbers 20:9 is set within the broader context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The verse specifically references Moses and the miraculous rod, which has been a symbol of divine authority and power throughout the narrative. In the preceding chapters, the Israelites have been wandering in the desert, facing various trials and tribulations, including a lack of water.

In Numbers 20, the people of Israel are again contending with a scarcity of water at Kadesh, and they quarrel with Moses and Aaron, holding them responsible for their dire situation. Responding to the people's complaints, God instructs Moses to take the rod, which is the same one he used to part the Red Sea (Exodus 14:16), and command water to flow from a rock to provide for the community and their livestock.

The verse itself, Numbers 20:9, succinctly states, "And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him." This action is pivotal as it sets the stage for a miracle that is about to unfold, demonstrating God's ability to provide for His people in the face of desperate need. The rod, therefore, serves as a tangible connection between God's directives and Moses' obedience, illustrating themes of faith, divine intervention, and the importance of following God's commands.

However, the subsequent events in this chapter reveal that Moses, in a moment of frustration, deviates from God's instructions by striking the rock instead of speaking to it as God had commanded. This act of disobedience, while still resulting in water gushing forth, has significant consequences for both Moses and Aaron, as it prevents them from leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. Thus, Numbers 20:9 not only captures a moment of obedience and miraculous provision but also foreshadows the serious implications of not adhering strictly to God's directives.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H4872
   There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
   Transliteration: Môsheh
   Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
   Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3947
   There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָקַח
   Transliteration: lâqach
   Pronunciation: law-kakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4294
   There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַטֶּה
   Transliteration: maṭṭeh
   Pronunciation: mat-teh'
   Description: or (feminine) מַטָּה; from נָטָה; a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff; figuratively, a support of life, e.g. bread); rod, staff, tribe.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6680
   There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָוָה
   Transliteration: tsâvâh
   Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw'
   Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order.