Numbers 33:51

KJV

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan;

KJV (with Strong's)

Speak {H1696} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, and say {H559} unto them, When ye are passed over {H5674} Jordan {H3383} into the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667};

Complete Jewish Bible

to tell the people of Isra'el, "When you cross the Yarden into the land of Kena'an,

Berean Standard Bible

“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,

American Standard Version

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 33:51 serves as a direct divine command delivered through Moses to the Israelites, marking a pivotal moment in their wilderness journey. This verse anticipates their imminent crossing of the Jordan River and entry into the long-promised land of Canaan, signaling the culmination of forty years of wandering and the beginning of a new phase of covenant fulfillment and inheritance. It underscores God's faithfulness in bringing His people to the threshold of their divinely appointed destiny.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 33 meticulously details the forty-two encampments of the Israelites from their departure from Egypt to their arrival on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River. This extensive itinerary, spanning verses 1-49, serves as a historical record affirming God's faithful guidance through their arduous journey. Verse 50 then introduces a sharp shift from recounting past movements to issuing future directives. Numbers 33:51, therefore, initiates a crucial set of instructions (verses 51-56) regarding the conquest and settlement of Canaan, immediately preceding the allocation of tribal inheritances in Numbers 34. This placement highlights the divine imperative for action upon entering the land, setting the stage for the book of Joshua, which narrates the fulfillment of these commands.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites stood on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, gazing upon the land of Canaan, which had been promised to their patriarch Abraham centuries earlier ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham")). Forty years had passed since the Exodus, a period marked by God's provision, discipline, and the passing of the rebellious generation. The Jordan River was not merely a geographical feature but a significant natural and symbolic boundary, separating the wilderness from the settled, fertile land. Culturally, land ownership and inheritance were central to identity and well-being in the ancient Near East, often tied to divine blessing and covenant promises. The command to enter Canaan was thus a call to claim their rightful, God-given inheritance, a land already inhabited by various peoples, necessitating divine intervention and military conquest.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes central to the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. It speaks to **Divine Command and Obedience**, as the instruction comes directly from God, emphasizing that the entry into Canaan is not a human initiative but a divine mandate requiring Israel's faithful response. The theme of **Covenant Fulfillment** is paramount, as the imminent crossing of the Jordan actualizes the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning the land ([Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18-21 - The Abrahamic Covenant")). It signifies a crucial **Transition and New Beginning**, marking the end of the wilderness era and the commencement of their settled life in the Promised Land. Finally, the verse highlights the **Significance of the Land**, not just as territory but as the place of God's dwelling among His people, where the covenant relationship would be fully realized, a land described as "flowing with milk and honey" ([Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - The Land of Milk and Honey")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Speak (Hebrew, _dabber'_):** This is an imperative form of the verb "to speak," indicating a direct, authoritative command from God. It emphasizes the divine origin and non-negotiable nature of the instruction. Moses is merely the conduit for God's sovereign will, underscoring the absolute authority behind the subsequent directives concerning the land.
* **Passed over (Hebrew, _‘avar'_):** This verb signifies "to cross over," "to pass through," or "to transition." In this context, it carries profound symbolic weight, representing not just a physical crossing of the Jordan River but a definitive break from the wilderness wandering and a decisive step into a new phase of national existence. It implies a crossing of a spiritual and historical boundary, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them":** This opening phrase establishes the divine authority and directness of the command. It is a formal prophetic utterance, indicating that the following words are not Moses's own counsel but the very word of God intended for the entire congregation of Israel. It underscores the importance and binding nature of the instructions.
* **"When ye are passed over Jordan":** This clause sets the temporal condition for the subsequent commands. It points to a future, yet certain, event—the crossing of the Jordan River. This act is presented as the threshold, the gateway from their nomadic past into their settled future. The Jordan is thus depicted as a critical boundary that must be traversed to enter the promised inheritance.
* **"into the land of Canaan;":** This final phrase specifies the destination and the object of their inheritance. "The land of Canaan" is the divinely appointed territory, the fulfillment of God's ancient promises to the patriarchs. It is the place where Israel is to establish itself as God's covenant nation, live under His laws, and experience His blessings. This phrase encapsulates the ultimate goal of their forty-year journey.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 33:51 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Imperative**, conveyed through the direct command "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them," which immediately establishes the absolute authority and non-negotiable nature of the instruction. This sets a tone of divine sovereignty over human action. **Anticipation** is strongly present, as the verse looks forward to a future, pivotal event ("When ye are passed over Jordan"), building expectation for the fulfillment of God's long-standing promises. The Jordan River itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing a critical threshold or boundary between the wilderness (a place of testing and transition) and the Promised Land (a place of rest, inheritance, and covenant fulfillment). The phrase "the land of Canaan" is also rich in **Symbolism**, standing not merely for a geographical territory but for the culmination of God's faithfulness, the locus of blessing, and the place where Israel's identity as God's chosen people would be fully realized.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 33:51 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and His sovereign plan for His people. It signifies the culmination of centuries of divine promise, from the initial call of Abraham to the forty years of wilderness wandering. The command to enter Canaan underscores that God's promises are not abstract but concrete, requiring human obedience and participation for their realization. It highlights the principle that divine blessings often come through active engagement and faith-filled steps, even when facing formidable challenges. The land of Canaan represents not just a physical inheritance but a spiritual one, a place of covenant relationship where Israel was to live in fellowship with God and demonstrate His glory to the nations. This verse serves as a crucial bridge between the narrative of God's leading in the wilderness and the imminent fulfillment of His redemptive purposes in the land.

* [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")
* [Deuteronomy 1:8](/deuteronomy/1-8 "Deuteronomy 1:8 - The Lord's Command to Enter the Land")
* [Joshua 1:2-3](/joshua/1-2 "Joshua 1:2-3 - God's Command to Joshua to Cross the Jordan")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 33:51 speaks profoundly to the human experience of transition and the anticipation of God's promises. Just as the Israelites stood on the precipice of their physical inheritance, believers today often find themselves at the threshold of new seasons, challenges, or callings that God has prepared. This verse encourages us to recognize these moments as divine appointments, requiring not only faith but also active obedience to God's instructions. It reminds us that God is faithful to bring His purposes to pass, even after long periods of waiting or difficulty. Our "Jordan crossing" might be a career change, a new ministry, a significant life decision, or a deeper commitment to spiritual growth. In all these transitions, the principle remains: God provides the command, the strength, and the destination, and our role is to trust and obey, stepping confidently into the "promised land" of His will for our lives, knowing that His presence goes with us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Jordan River" might God be calling you to cross in your life right now, representing a significant transition or new beginning?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to trust God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, even when the wait has been long or the path uncertain?**
* **What specific instructions or commands from God might you need to obey to step fully into the "land" He has prepared for you?**

### FAQ
**Why is Numbers 33:51 considered a pivotal verse in the biblical narrative?**

Answer: Numbers 33:51 is pivotal because it marks a crucial turning point from the Israelites' forty years of wilderness wandering to their imminent entry into the Promised Land. It transitions the narrative from recounting past journeys to issuing future divine commands regarding the conquest and settlement of Canaan. This verse sets the stage for the fulfillment of God's ancient covenant promises concerning the land, underscoring the culmination of their arduous journey and the beginning of a new era for the nation of Israel. It's a foundational command leading directly into the book of Joshua, where the crossing of the Jordan and the conquest of the land are fully realized ([Joshua 3:14-17](/joshua/3-14 "Joshua 3:14-17 - The Miraculous Crossing of the Jordan")).

**What is the symbolic significance of "passing over Jordan"?**

Answer: "Passing over Jordan" carries deep symbolic meaning beyond a mere geographical crossing. The Jordan River served as a natural barrier, separating the harsh wilderness, a place of testing and judgment, from the fertile land of Canaan, which represented rest, blessing, and covenant fulfillment. Symbolically, crossing the Jordan signifies a definitive break from the past, a transition from a nomadic existence to a settled inheritance, and a step into a new phase of God's redemptive plan. It represents entering into the fullness of God's promises, leaving behind the old ways and embracing the new life He has ordained. This act is later mirrored in other biblical narratives as a metaphor for significant spiritual transitions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 33:51 speaks of a physical inheritance in Canaan, its deeper Christ-centered fulfillment points to a spiritual inheritance and a greater "Promised Land" found in Jesus Christ. The earthly Canaan, a place of rest and blessing, foreshadows the ultimate spiritual rest and abundant life offered through faith in Christ ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for God's People")). Just as the Israelites were led by Moses to the threshold of the land, and then by Joshua into it, so too are believers led by the Law (Moses) to the awareness of their need for salvation, and then by Jesus (whose name, Yeshua, is the Hebrew equivalent of Joshua) into the true spiritual inheritance. Christ is the true "Lamb of God" who enables us to "pass over" from the wilderness of sin and judgment into the kingdom of God, from death to life ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Passing from Death to Life")). Our inheritance is not merely a physical territory but a spiritual reality: adoption as children of God, eternal life, and co-heirship with Christ in heavenly places ([Ephesians 1:3-14](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3-14 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). He is the one who leads us across the ultimate "Jordan" of sin and death, bringing us into the true and lasting rest of God's presence.

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

Joshua 3:17

And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

Deuteronomy 9:1

¶ Hear, O Israel: Thou [art] to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven,

Deuteronomy 7:1

¶ When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;