Numbers 1:1

KJV

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first [day] of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} spake {H1696} unto Moses {H4872} in the wilderness {H4057} of Sinai {H5514}, in the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}, on the first {H259} day of the second {H8145} month {H2320}, in the second {H8145} year {H8141} after they were come out {H3318} of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI spoke to Moshe in the Sinai Desert, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month of the second year after they had left the land of Egypt. He said,

Berean Standard Bible

On the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Wilderness of Sinai. He said:

American Standard Version

And Jehovah spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 1:1 serves as the precise and authoritative opening to the fourth book of the Pentateuch, immediately establishing the divine origin, specific geographical location, and exact temporal setting for the detailed instructions and events that follow. This foundational verse highlights God's direct communication with Moses from the newly consecrated Tabernacle, marking a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey as they transition from receiving the Law to preparing for their organized movement toward the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 1:1 picks up the narrative thread directly from the conclusion of Exodus and Leviticus. Exodus culminates with the detailed construction and consecration of the Tabernacle, which is then filled with the glory of the LORD ([Exodus 40:34-38](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34-38 - The Glory of the LORD Fills the Tabernacle")). Leviticus, in turn, details the sacrificial system, priestly duties, and laws of holiness, all communicated by God to Moses from within this very Tabernacle ([Leviticus 1:1](/leviticus/1-1 "Leviticus 1:1 - God Speaks from the Tabernacle")). Thus, Numbers 1:1 seamlessly continues this divine communication, indicating that the instructions given here are the next phase in God's ongoing revelation and guidance for His people, immediately following the period of intense legislative instruction and the establishment of the central place of worship. The precise dating in the verse emphasizes this continuity and progression in God's covenantal relationship with Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites had been encamped at the base of Mount Sinai for nearly a full year since their miraculous deliverance from Egypt ([Exodus 19:1](/exodus/19-1 "Exodus 19:1 - Israel Arrives at Sinai")). During this period, they received the covenant Law, including the Ten Commandments ([Exodus 20](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments")), and meticulously constructed the Tabernacle, which was completed and dedicated on the first day of the first month of the second year after the Exodus. Numbers 1:1 states that these new instructions are given on "the first day of the second month, in the second year," meaning just one month after the Tabernacle's dedication. This timing is crucial: it signifies that God is now speaking from the very heart of their camp, from the consecrated dwelling place among His people. The period at Sinai was one of intense preparation and revelation; now, with the Tabernacle established as the center of their worship and God's presence, the focus shifts to the practical organization and preparation for the next stage of their journey—the wilderness trek towards the Promised Land. The detailed censuses and organizational instructions that follow this verse are essential for a nomadic people preparing for a challenging and divinely ordained migration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yahweh'_):** This is the Tetragrammaton (YHWH), the personal, covenantal name of God, emphasizing His self-existent, eternal, and faithful character. Its use here underscores that the commands and organization that follow are not merely human directives but originate from the sovereign, covenant-keeping God who has redeemed Israel and is now leading them. It speaks to the intimate and relational aspect of God's communication with Moses.
* **spake (Hebrew, _dabar'_):** The verb "dabar" denotes a direct, authoritative, and intentional communication. It implies a purposeful declaration, not a casual utterance. In this context, it highlights the divine initiative and the prophetic authority of Moses as the recipient and mediator of God's word to the entire nation. This is God's active engagement with His people, providing explicit instructions for their immediate future.
* **tabernacle of the congregation (Hebrew, _ohel mo'ed'_):** Literally "tent of meeting" or "tent of appointed time." This phrase specifies the precise location of God's communication. It signifies the designated place where God would "meet" with Moses and, through him, with the people of Israel. Its mention here emphasizes that God is not a distant deity but one who dwells among His people, making Himself accessible and communicating from the very heart of their communal life and worship. It is the focal point of their relationship with the divine.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine origin and authority of the entire book of Numbers. It is God Himself, Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God, who initiates the communication. Moses is presented as the chosen mediator, reinforcing the prophetic nature of the subsequent commands and narrative.
* **"in the wilderness of Sinai":** This specifies the geographical setting. The wilderness of Sinai was the place of Israel's initial encampment after the Exodus, where they received the Law and built the Tabernacle. It signifies a period of divine revelation, covenant formation, and preparation, setting the stage for the journey that Numbers will detail.
* **"in the tabernacle of the congregation":** This further refines the location, emphasizing that God's communication is now from within the newly consecrated dwelling place among His people. This highlights God's immanence and His desire to commune with Israel from the very center of their camp, making His presence tangible and accessible.
* **"on the first [day] of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt":** This precise dating is highly significant. It places the events exactly one month after the Tabernacle's dedication (which occurred on the first day of the first month of the second year, according to [Exodus 40:17](/exodus/40-17 "Exodus 40:17 - Tabernacle Erected")). This meticulous chronological detail underscores the divine order and punctuality, signaling a new phase in Israel's journey, moving from stationary law-giving to organized preparation for movement towards the Promised Land.
* **"saying,":** This concluding word serves as a direct introduction to the divine commands and instructions that will comprise the initial chapters of Numbers, particularly the census and the organization of the tribes. It signals the beginning of a new divine discourse.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 1:1 employs several literary devices to establish its authority and narrative trajectory. **Precision** and **Specificity** are paramount, evident in the meticulous dating ("on the first day of the second month, in the second year") and geographical location ("in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation"). This exactitude lends credibility and historical grounding to the narrative, emphasizing the ordered nature of God's plan. The phrase "And the LORD spake unto Moses" functions as a classic **Divine Speech Formula**, a recurring motif throughout the Pentateuch that unequivocally establishes the divine origin and authority of the subsequent content. This formula immediately signals that the following instructions are not human inventions but direct divine revelation. Finally, the verse acts as a powerful **Framing Device** or **Narrative Introduction**, setting the stage for the entire book of Numbers. By defining the speaker, recipient, time, and place, it provides the essential context for understanding the detailed censuses, laws, and narratives of the wilderness journey that follow, effectively launching the next phase of Israel's story.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 1:1 profoundly establishes God's active involvement and meticulous order in the life of His people. It highlights the theological truth that God is not a distant deity but one who condescends to dwell among His chosen nation, communicating His will directly and authoritatively from the heart of their worship. The precise dating and location underscore God's sovereign control over time and space, revealing His purposeful plan for Israel's journey. This verse sets the stage for the themes of divine guidance, the importance of obedience to God's revealed word, and the necessity of order and preparation for fulfilling God's purposes. It reminds us that God's presence is the foundation for all effective action and that His word provides the necessary instructions for navigating the challenges of life's wilderness.

* [Exodus 40:34-38](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34-38 - The Cloud Covers the Tabernacle")
* [Leviticus 1:1](/leviticus/1-1 "Leviticus 1:1 - The LORD Calls Moses from the Tabernacle")
* [Deuteronomy 1:1-3](/deuteronomy/1-1 "Deuteronomy 1:1-3 - Moses' Speeches Begin with Precise Dating")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 1:1, though seemingly a simple chronological and geographical marker, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our God is a God of order, purpose, and intimate presence. Just as He spoke precisely to Moses from the Tabernacle, He continues to communicate with us today through His inspired Word and by His indwelling Spirit. This verse challenges us to prioritize God's presence in our lives and communities, recognizing that true guidance and direction flow from communion with Him. It also emphasizes the importance of preparation and organization in our spiritual journey, as God equipped Israel for their wilderness trek. We, too, are called to be prepared, ordered, and attentive to God's voice as we navigate the complexities of life, trusting that His instructions are always for our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precision of God's communication in Numbers 1:1 encourage your trust in His detailed plan for your life?**
* **In what ways do you experience God's "tabernacling" presence in your life or community today, and how does that presence shape your actions?**
* **Considering Israel's preparation for their journey, what areas of your spiritual life might God be calling you to bring into greater order or prepare for a new phase?**

### FAQ
**Why is the precise dating in Numbers 1:1 so important?**

Answer: The precise dating ("on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt") is crucial for several reasons. First, it establishes the exact chronological relationship between Numbers and the preceding books of Exodus and Leviticus. It places the beginning of Numbers precisely one month after the Tabernacle's dedication ([Exodus 40:17](/exodus/40-17 "Exodus 40:17 - Tabernacle Erected")), highlighting the immediate continuity of God's revelation from His newly established dwelling place. Second, it underscores the meticulous order and divine providence inherent in God's dealings with Israel. This precision signals a shift from the stationary period of receiving the Law at Sinai to the active phase of organizing and preparing for the wilderness journey to the Promised Land. It emphasizes that God's plan is not haphazard but unfolds according to a carefully orchestrated divine timetable.

**What is the significance of God speaking "in the tabernacle of the congregation" rather than from Mount Sinai?**

Answer: The shift in location from Mount Sinai ([Exodus 19:3](/exodus/19-3 "Exodus 19:3 - God Calls Moses from Sinai")) to the Tabernacle is highly significant. At Sinai, God revealed His Law from a terrifying, unapproachable mountain, emphasizing His transcendence and holiness. However, after the Tabernacle's completion and consecration, God's communication moves to the "tabernacle of the congregation" (or "tent of meeting"). This signifies God's desire for immanence—to dwell among His people, to be accessible, and to communicate from the very heart of their camp and worship. It represents a transition from a distant, awe-inspiring encounter to a more intimate, ongoing relationship, where God's presence is central to daily life and guidance for the journey ahead. The Tabernacle becomes the tangible symbol of God's covenant faithfulness and His willingness to meet with His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 1:1, with its emphasis on God's direct communication from the Tabernacle to His people, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, the physical dwelling place of God among Israel, foreshadowed the ultimate "tabernacling" of God with humanity in the person of Jesus. [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") declares, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us," with "dwelt" (Greek: *eskēnōsen*) literally meaning "tabernacled." Just as God spoke authoritatively from the Tabernacle to Moses, so in Christ, God has spoken His final and definitive word to humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Speaks Through His Son")). Jesus is not merely a prophet like Moses, but the very Son of God, the perfect revelation of the Father. The precise dating and organization in Numbers 1:1 point to God's meticulous plan for His people's journey; similarly, Christ leads His new covenant people on a spiritual journey, a new Exodus, from the bondage of sin to the promised rest of God ([Hebrews 3:7-19](/hebrews/3-7 "Hebrews 3:7-19 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts") and [Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - Entering God's Rest")). He is our Immanuel, "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel")), the ultimate fulfillment of God's desire to dwell in the midst of His people, guiding them by His presence and His perfect word.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 25:22

And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which [are] upon the ark of the testimony, of all [things] which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

Numbers 10:11

¶ And it came to pass on the twentieth [day] of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony.

Numbers 10:12

And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.

Exodus 19:1

¶ In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they [into] the wilderness of Sinai.

Numbers 9:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

Exodus 40:17

And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first [day] of the month, [that] the tabernacle was reared up.

Leviticus 27:34

These [are] the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai.