Numbers 20:7

KJV

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

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

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,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 20:7 serves as a concise yet profoundly significant introductory statement, marking a direct divine communication from the LORD to Moses. This pivotal moment sets the immediate stage for a critical event in the Israelites' wilderness journey: the miraculous provision of water from a rock, which is tragically marred by Moses' disobedience, leading to severe consequences for the revered leader. It underscores God's active involvement and the authoritative nature of His word, particularly in moments of crisis and human complaint.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at the beginning of a crucial narrative sequence in [Numbers 20](/numbers/20 "Numbers 20 - The Waters of Meribah"). Immediately preceding it, the text describes the arrival of the Israelites at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin, the death of Miriam, and the subsequent lack of water, which incites the people's familiar murmuring and contention against Moses and Aaron. This widespread complaint drives Moses and Aaron to the tabernacle entrance, where they fall on their faces, seeking divine intervention. Numbers 20:7 directly follows their desperate plea, signaling God's immediate and direct response to the crisis. What follows in [Numbers 20:8-13](/numbers/20-8 "Numbers 20:8-13 - Moses Strikes the Rock") is God's specific instruction to Moses, Moses' deviation from that command, and the subsequent judgment that prevents him from entering the Promised Land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Numbers 20 occur near the end of the Israelites' forty-year wilderness wandering, specifically in the wilderness of Zin, with their encampment at Kadesh. This period was characterized by repeated cycles of divine provision, human complaint, and divine judgment. The lack of water was a constant and life-threatening concern in the arid desert environment, making the miraculous provision of water a recurring necessity (cf. [Exodus 17:1-7](/exodus/17-1 "Exodus 17:1-7 - Water from the Rock at Rephidim")). Kadesh itself was a significant oasis and a strategic point, serving as a base for much of the wilderness journey and a place from which earlier attempts to enter Canaan had been made. The people's "contention" (מְרִיבָה, _meribah_) with Moses was not merely a grumble but a challenge to his God-given authority, reflecting a deep-seated lack of faith and patience despite decades of divine sustenance.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 20:7 introduces several prominent themes that resonate throughout the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, **Divine Communication and Revelation** is paramount; the phrase "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" underscores God's active and direct involvement in the life of His people, communicating His will and providing guidance through His chosen mediator. Secondly, it highlights **Moses' Unique Mediatorial Role**, affirming his unparalleled position as the one to whom God directly reveals His commands and intentions for the nation of Israel. This direct address reinforces his authority, even as it sets the stage for a test of his obedience. Thirdly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Provision and Human Unbelief**. God's immediate response to the people's complaint, despite their sinful murmuring, demonstrates His unwavering faithfulness and compassion, even when His people are faithless, a theme echoed in [Deuteronomy 8:2-4](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2-4 - God's Provision in the Wilderness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH'_):** This is the Tetragrammaton, the personal, covenantal name of God, often rendered "Yahweh." Its use here emphasizes that the communication comes from the sovereign, faithful God who has entered into a covenant relationship with Israel. It highlights His unchanging character and His commitment to His promises, even amidst the people's rebellion and His own impending judgment upon Moses.
* **spake (Hebrew, _dābar'_):** The verb וַיְדַבֵּר (_vay'dabber_), from the root דָּבַר (_dabar_), means "to speak" or "to declare." In this context, it implies a direct, authoritative, and often weighty utterance. Unlike merely "saying" (אמר, _amar_), _dabar_ often denotes a more formal, intentional, and impactful communication, indicating that what follows is not merely a suggestion but a divine command that carries significant implications for obedience or disobedience.
* **Moses (Hebrew, _Moshe'_):** The recipient of God's direct word, Moses' name signifies his unique role as God's chosen leader and mediator. The consistent direct address to Moses throughout the Pentateuch, as seen here, underscores his unparalleled intimacy with God and his responsibility to faithfully convey God's will to the people, setting him apart from all other prophets (cf. [Numbers 12:6-8](/numbers/12-6 "Numbers 12:6-8 - God Speaks to Moses Face to Face")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD spake unto Moses,"**: This clause establishes the source and recipient of the communication. The use of "the LORD" (YHWH) emphasizes the divine authority and covenant faithfulness behind the message. The direct address "unto Moses" highlights Moses' unique role as God's chosen mediator and the primary recipient of divine revelation for Israel. It signals that what follows is not human counsel or initiative but a direct word from God Himself.
* **"saying,"**: This common Hebrew idiom (לֵאמֹר, _lemor_) introduces the content of the divine speech. While seemingly redundant, it serves to formally introduce the direct quotation of God's words, emphasizing that the subsequent instructions (in [Numbers 20:8](/numbers/20-8 "Numbers 20:8 - God's Command to Moses")) are precisely what God commanded. It underscores the precision and importance of the divine utterance that is about to be revealed.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 20:7 primarily employs **Formulaic Language** and acts as a **Narrative Marker**. The phrase "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" is a highly recurrent formula throughout the Pentateuch, signaling a direct divine address and emphasizing the authoritative nature of the subsequent command or revelation. Its repetition reinforces the consistent pattern of God's communication with His chosen leader. As a **Narrative Marker**, this verse abruptly shifts the focus from the people's complaint and Moses' and Aaron's distress to God's direct intervention. It signals a pivotal moment where divine will is about to be revealed, setting the stage for the dramatic events that follow, including the provision of water and Moses' fateful error. The brevity of the verse itself also contributes to its impact, creating a sense of immediate divine response and impending action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 20:7, though brief, is pregnant with theological significance, primarily highlighting the nature of God's active engagement with His people and the critical importance of faithful obedience to His explicit word. It underscores that God is not distant or silent but intimately involved in the trials and needs of His covenant community, even when their faith falters. The direct communication to Moses reaffirms the principle of divine revelation through chosen instruments, establishing the foundation for all subsequent divine instructions and laws. This verse serves as a stark reminder that God's word is precise and carries ultimate authority, demanding exact adherence, a truth dramatically illustrated by the consequences of Moses' subsequent deviation.

* [Exodus 3:4](/exodus/3-4 "Exodus 3:4 - God Calls Moses from the Bush")
* [Deuteronomy 18:18](/deuteronomy/18-18 "Deuteronomy 18:18 - A Prophet Like Moses")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Speaks Through His Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 20:7 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering attentiveness to the cries of His people, even when those cries are laced with unbelief and complaint. It challenges us to recognize that in moments of crisis, our immediate and primary recourse should always be to seek the Lord's direct guidance, just as Moses and Aaron did. This verse underscores the profound privilege and responsibility of hearing God's voice, whether through His written Word, prayer, or the leading of His Spirit. It calls us to cultivate a posture of humble listening and precise obedience, understanding that God's instructions are not arbitrary but are given for our good and His glory. The subsequent narrative, which stems from this divine utterance, powerfully illustrates the serious consequences of deviating from God's explicit commands, even for those in positions of great spiritual authority. It reminds us that faithfulness to God's word is paramount, and even small acts of disobedience can have far-reaching implications for our walk with Him and our ability to lead others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's immediate response to the Israelites' complaint, despite their murmuring, shape your understanding of His character and compassion?**
* **In what situations do you tend to seek human counsel or rely on your own understanding before seeking God's direct word?**
* **What does Moses' subsequent failure, stemming from a deviation from God's precise instructions, teach us about the importance of exact obedience to God's Word in our own lives?**

### FAQ

**Why is this short verse so important in the narrative of Numbers 20?**

Answer: Numbers 20:7 is crucial because it marks the direct, authoritative intervention of God in a moment of crisis. It signals that the upcoming events—the miraculous provision of water and, more significantly, Moses' fateful disobedience—are not random occurrences but are initiated by a specific divine command. This verse establishes the divine origin of the instructions given to Moses, setting the stage for the subsequent narrative where Moses' failure to adhere precisely to God's word leads to severe consequences, including his exclusion from the Promised Land. It elevates the entire episode from a mere logistical problem to a profound theological lesson about obedience and divine authority.

**What does the phrase "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" tell us about God's relationship with Moses?**

Answer: This recurring formula throughout the Pentateuch highlights the unique and intimate relationship between the LORD (YHWH) and Moses. It signifies that Moses was God's chosen mediator, the primary channel through whom God communicated His will, laws, and instructions to the nation of Israel. Unlike other prophets who might receive visions or dreams, Moses spoke with God "face to face" (as described in [Exodus 33:11](/exodus/33-11 "The LORD Spoke to Moses Face to Face")) and received direct, verbal commands. This phrase underscores Moses' unparalleled authority as God's messenger and the divine origin of the commands he delivered.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 20:7, with its emphasis on God's direct communication to Moses, foreshadows the ultimate and perfect revelation of God in Jesus Christ. While God spoke "at various times and in various ways" through prophets like Moses in the Old Testament, [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Speaks Through His Son") declares that in these last days, He has spoken to us "by His Son." Moses served as a mediator between God and Israel, delivering God's word and leading His people; however, Jesus is the superior Mediator of a new and better covenant, not merely delivering God's word but being the living Word Himself ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")). The divine provision of water in the wilderness, initiated by God's command to Moses, points to Christ as the true "living water" who satisfies the deepest thirst of the human soul ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus Offers Living Water") and [John 7:37-38](/john/7-37 "John 7:37-38 - Jesus Cries Out, 'Let Anyone Who Is Thirsty Come to Me'")). Moses' failure to perfectly obey God's command at the rock underscores the need for a perfect High Priest who could fully fulfill God's will without blemish, a role perfectly embodied by Christ, who always did the will of His Father ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father")). Thus, this verse, by highlighting divine communication and the need for perfect obedience, ultimately points to Christ as the full and final Word of God, the perfect obedient Son, and the ultimate source of spiritual life.

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.