Numbers 35:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan [near] Jericho, saying,

Complete Jewish Bible:

In the plains of Mo'av by the Yarden, across from Yericho, ADONAI said to Moshe,

Berean Standard Bible:

Again the LORD spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho:

American Standard Version:

And Jehovah spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the LORD^{H3068} spake^{H1696} unto Moses^{H4872} in the plains^{H6160} of Moab^{H4124} by Jordan^{H3383} near Jericho^{H3405}, saying^{H559},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 35:1

Numbers 35:1 marks a significant moment in the narrative of the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land after years of wandering in the wilderness. The verse situates the reader in the plains of Moab, an area east of the Jordan River, opposite Jericho. This is a pivotal location in the Israelite journey, as it is from here that they will soon cross into Canaan. Historically, this period is nearing the end of Moses' leadership, as he will not enter the Promised Land with the people.

In this verse, God communicates directly with Moses, which is a common motif throughout the Pentateuch, emphasizing Moses' unique role as a prophet and lawgiver. The setting by the Jordan River is symbolic, representing both the end of a period of testing and the threshold of a new era for the Israelites. The themes introduced in this chapter of Numbers include the establishment of cities of refuge, which were to serve as sanctuaries for individuals who had committed unintentional manslaughter, and the administration of justice within the emerging Israelite society.

The mention of the plains of Moab also harks back to the earlier events in the Torah, such as the Balaam narrative, where the prophet Balaam was hired to curse the Israelites but ended up blessing them instead. The verse sets the stage for the legal and administrative instructions that follow, which are crucial for the governance and organization of the Israelite community as they transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a more settled, agrarian society in the land of Canaan.

*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: 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6160
   There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֲרָבָה
   Transliteration: ʻărâbâh
   Pronunciation: ar-aw-baw'
   Description: from עָרַב (in the sense of sterility); a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea; Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See also בֵּית הָעֲרָבָה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4124
   There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוֹאָב
   Transliteration: Môwʼâb
   Pronunciation: mo-awb
   Description: from a prolonged form of the prepositional prefix m-and אָב; from (her (the mother's)) father; Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants; Moab.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3383
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יַרְדֵּן
   Transliteration: Yardên
   Pronunciation: yar-dane'
   Description: from יָרַד; a descender; Jarden, the principal river of Palestine; Jordan.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3405
   There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְרִיחוֹ
   Transliteration: Yᵉrîychôw
   Pronunciation: yer-ee-kho'
   Description: or יְרֵחוֹ; or variation (1 Kings 16:34) יְרִיחֹה; perhaps from יָרֵחַ; its month; or else from רוּחַ; fragrant; Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine; Jericho.
   
8. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.