Numbers 4:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Complete Jewish Bible:

ADONAI said to Moshe,

Berean Standard Bible:

And the LORD said to Moses,

American Standard Version:

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the LORD^{H3068} spake^{H1696} unto Moses^{H4872}, saying^{H559},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 4:21

1. Themes:
- Divine Instruction: The verse emphasizes that the commands given to Moses are from the Lord, highlighting the theme of divine guidance in the lives of the Israelites.
- Organization and Order: The context of Numbers 4 deals with the detailed organization of the duties and responsibilities of the Levites, the tribe designated to serve in the tabernacle. This reflects the broader theme of order and structure within the religious and social life of Israel.
- Responsibility and Service: The verse introduces a section where specific instructions are given to certain Levite families, indicating their unique roles in the transportation and care of the tabernacle's sacred items during the Israelites' journey in the wilderness.

2. Historical Context:
- The book of Numbers is set during the Israelites' journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land, which took place after the exodus from Egypt and the giving of the Law.
- Numbers 4 is part of a larger section (Numbers 1-10) that deals with the organization of the Israelite camp and the preparation for their journey. The census of the people, the arrangement of the tribes around the tabernacle, and the roles of the Levites are all outlined here.
- The specific historical context of Numbers 4:21 is the detailed instructions given to the Gershonite clan, one of the three main divisions of the Levites, regarding their duties in relation to the tabernacle. These instructions are crucial as they ensure the proper handling of the holy objects and the sanctity of the worship space as the Israelites travel.
- The tabernacle was the portable dwelling place for God, and it was central to the religious life of the Israelites before the construction of the temple in Jerusalem. The careful transportation of the tabernacle's components was essential to maintain the sacredness of the space and the objects within it.

In summary, Numbers 4:21 is part of the divine directives given to Moses concerning the roles and responsibilities of the Levites in managing and transporting the tabernacle, reflecting the themes of divine instruction, order, and service within the historical context of the Israelites' desert wanderings.

*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: 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.