Numbers 29:40

KJV

And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} told {H559} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} according to all that the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680} Moses {H4872}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe told the people of Isra'el everything, just as ADONAI had ordered Moshe.

Berean Standard Bible

So Moses spoke all this to the Israelites just as the LORD had commanded him.

American Standard Version

And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that Jehovah commanded Moses.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 29:40 serves as a powerful concluding statement to the detailed instructions for the sacrificial offerings associated with Israel's major annual feasts, particularly the elaborate requirements for the Feast of Tabernacles. This concise verse underscores the divine origin and absolute authority of the laws given to Israel through Moses, while simultaneously affirming Moses' unwavering faithfulness in accurately transmitting every single divine directive to the people without alteration or omission. It marks the completion of a significant block of divine legislation and sets the stage for its implementation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29:40 concludes a lengthy and highly detailed section (Numbers 28-29) dedicated to the specific daily, weekly, monthly, and annual offerings required for Israel's worship. Chapters 28 and 29 meticulously outline the burnt offerings, sin offerings, and drink offerings for various festivals: the Passover, the Feast of Weeks, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the eight-day Feast of Tabernacles. The instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles alone span Numbers 29:12-38, detailing a diminishing number of bulls to be sacrificed each day, alongside other animals. Following such an exhaustive and precise enumeration of sacrifices, verse 40 acts as a final, authoritative summary, affirming that all these intricate commands were faithfully conveyed. It functions as a narrative "bookend," signaling the end of this legislative segment and the transition from divine decree to human responsibility.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Numbers chronicles Israel's wilderness journey from Sinai to the plains of Moab, a period marked by divine provision, rebellion, and the establishment of theocratic law. The giving of these sacrificial laws was crucial for structuring Israel's communal worship and maintaining their covenant relationship with Yahweh. In the ancient Near East, religious rituals and offerings were central to national identity and appeasing deities. However, Israel's system was unique in its monotheistic focus and the direct, detailed revelation from God, mediated through Moses. The emphasis on "all that the LORD commanded" highlights the distinction between Israel's divinely revealed laws and the often-arbitrary or human-derived religious practices of surrounding nations. The meticulous nature of the instructions also reflects the holiness of God and the seriousness with which Israel was to approach Him in worship.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, though brief, powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes present throughout the Pentateuch and the book of Numbers. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Authority and Sovereignty**, reiterating that the laws governing Israel's worship and life originated solely with Yahweh, establishing His absolute rule over His people, a theme foundational to the entire covenant relationship beginning in [Exodus 19](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Giving of the Law at Sinai"). Secondly, it highlights **Moses' Faithful Mediation**, portraying him as the trustworthy conduit of God's word, a role consistently affirmed (e.g., [Numbers 12:7](/numbers/12-7 "Numbers 12:7 - Moses' Unique Relationship with God")). His fidelity ensures the purity and integrity of the divine revelation. Thirdly, the phrase "according to all" underscores the **Completeness and Sufficiency** of God's commands, implying that nothing was left out or added, which is a crucial principle for divine revelation, echoed later in [Deuteronomy 4:2](/deuteronomy/4-2 "Deuteronomy 4:2 - Do Not Add or Subtract from the Law"). Finally, by communicating these laws, Moses placed upon the **Children of Israel** the **Responsibility for Obedience**, a recurring demand throughout the wilderness narrative and a cornerstone of the Mosaic Covenant (e.g., [Deuteronomy 6:25](/deuteronomy/6-25 "Deuteronomy 6:25 - Righteousness Through Obedience")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Told (Hebrew, _dabar'_):** This verb (דָּבַר) carries a broad range of meanings, from speaking and declaring to commanding and conversing. In this context, it signifies a clear, authoritative, and comprehensive communication. Moses didn't merely "chat" with the Israelites; he formally and completely declared the divine directives. The choice of _dabar_ emphasizes the effective and understandable transmission of God's intricate instructions to the entire community.
* **Commanded (Hebrew, _tsavah'_):** The verb (צָוָה) denotes a strong, authoritative injunction or order. It implies a binding directive, not a suggestion or a request. When the LORD "commanded" Moses, it was an imperative, leaving no room for negotiation or deviation. This word underscores the absolute authority of the source of the laws—God Himself—and the non-negotiable nature of the requirements for Israel's worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses told the children of Israel":** This clause immediately establishes Moses' central role as the divinely appointed mediator. After receiving the extensive and intricate details of the sacrificial system for the festivals, Moses faithfully undertakes the critical task of communicating these commands to the entire community. This highlights his responsibility and the people's direct reception of God's will through him. It implies a public and thorough declaration, ensuring that the people were fully informed of their obligations.
* **"according to all that the LORD commanded Moses":** This phrase is the theological linchpin of the verse. The adverbial phrase "according to all" emphasizes the absolute fidelity and completeness of Moses' transmission. He did not omit, add to, or alter any part of the divine revelation. Every detail, no matter how minute, was conveyed precisely as received from Yahweh. This underscores the divine origin of the laws, ensuring their authority and binding nature, and simultaneously affirms Moses' integrity and trustworthiness as God's chosen prophet and messenger.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Repetition** and **Emphasis** to underscore its core message. The name "Moses" appears twice, once as the subject who "told" and once as the object of God's "command." Similarly, the verb "commanded" appears twice, once referring to God's action and once to the content of Moses' message. This deliberate repetition creates a strong sense of **Inclusio** or **Bookending**, drawing a clear line from God's command to Moses' faithful delivery. The structure itself emphasizes the direct, unadulterated flow of divine authority from Yahweh, through Moses, to the children of Israel. It functions as a **Summary Statement** or **Concluding Formula**, providing a definitive close to the preceding legislative section and affirming the legitimacy and completeness of the instructions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 29:40 is a concise yet profound statement on divine authority, faithful mediation, and the responsibility of God's people to obey His revealed will. It serves as a reminder that God's commands are not arbitrary human constructs but emanate directly from His holy character, requiring precise and complete adherence. Moses' role as a faithful conveyor of this truth sets a precedent for all who would handle God's word, emphasizing the crucial importance of accurate transmission and the avoidance of adding to or subtracting from divine revelation. This principle is foundational to the integrity of the covenant and the purity of worship, ensuring that Israel's relationship with God is built upon His terms, not their own.

* [Deuteronomy 4:2](/deuteronomy/4-2 "Deuteronomy 4:2 - Do Not Add or Subtract from the Law")
* [Hebrews 3:5](/hebrews/3-5 "Hebrews 3:5 - Moses' Faithfulness in God's House")
* [1 Peter 4:11](/1_peter/4-11 "1 Peter 4:11 - Speaking God's Oracles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 29:40 offers enduring lessons for believers today. It calls us to reflect on the nature of divine authority and the integrity of God's Word. Just as the Israelites were bound by the commands delivered through Moses, so too are we called to live in submission to the revealed will of God in Scripture. This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts: Do we receive God's Word "according to all that the LORD commanded," or do we selectively pick and choose, or even subtly alter its meaning to suit our preferences? For those who teach or lead, Moses' example is a powerful reminder of the solemn responsibility to accurately and faithfully declare God's truth, without compromise or personal agenda. Our spiritual health and the health of the church depend on an unwavering commitment to the full counsel of God, received and transmitted with the same fidelity Moses demonstrated.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on "all that the LORD commanded Moses" challenge my own tendency to pick and choose which biblical commands to obey?**
* **In what ways can I, like Moses, strive to be a faithful conduit of God's truth in my sphere of influence, without adding to or subtracting from it?**
* **What practical steps can I take to deepen my understanding and application of "all that the LORD commanded" in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why is Numbers 29:40, a seemingly simple concluding verse, considered significant?**

Answer: Numbers 29:40 is significant precisely because of its simplicity and placement. It acts as a powerful summary statement, affirming two critical theological truths after a lengthy and complex set of instructions. First, it unequivocally declares the divine origin and absolute authority of all the preceding laws concerning the sacrificial system for Israel's feasts. The phrase "all that the LORD commanded Moses" leaves no doubt that these were not human innovations but direct divine decrees. Second, it highlights Moses' unparalleled faithfulness as God's mediator. In a context where human leaders might be tempted to simplify, modify, or omit difficult commands, Moses' fidelity in communicating "according to all" demonstrates his integrity and trustworthiness. This verse, therefore, solidifies the legitimacy of the entire body of law just presented and underscores the importance of accurate divine revelation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 29:40, with its emphasis on Moses' faithful transmission of "all that the LORD commanded," finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfection in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Moses was a faithful servant in God's house, bearing witness to what would be spoken later ([Hebrews 3:5](/hebrews/3-5 "Hebrews 3:5 - Moses' Faithfulness in God's House")), Jesus is the Son over God's house ([Hebrews 3:6](/hebrews/3-6 "Hebrews 3:6 - Christ as Son Over God's House")). Moses delivered the Law, but Jesus perfectly embodied and fulfilled it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). He is the ultimate Prophet, greater than Moses, through whom God has spoken His final and complete word to humanity ([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 Has Spoken Through His Son")). Unlike Moses, who merely conveyed commands, Jesus is the living Word of God made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). His entire life was an act of perfect obedience to "all that the Father commanded" Him ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father"), [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Thus, Numbers 29:40 foreshadows the perfect revelation and faithful obedience found in Christ, who not only declared God's will but perfectly accomplished it, becoming the ultimate sacrifice to which all the detailed offerings Moses conveyed pointed ([Hebrews 10:1-10](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-10 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")).

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

Hebrews 3:2

Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses [was faithful] in all his house.

Matthew 28:20

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

1 Corinthians 15:3

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

Deuteronomy 4:5

Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.

Acts 20:27

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Hebrews 3:5

And Moses verily [was] faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

Exodus 40:16

¶ Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.