Numbers 6:1

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 6:1 serves as a pivotal introductory verse, signaling a direct divine communication from the LORD to Moses, thereby inaugurating a new and significant section of Mosaic law concerning the Nazirite vow. This concise statement underscores the divine origin and authoritative nature of the instructions that follow, setting the stage for a unique form of personal consecration and devotion available to the Israelites within their covenant relationship with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 6:1 marks a distinct shift in the book of Numbers. Prior to this verse, the preceding chapters (Numbers 5:1-10) dealt with various laws concerning ritual purity, including the removal of defiled individuals from the camp and regulations for restitution in cases of trespass. Numbers 5:11-31 then details the complex and solemn "ordeal of bitter water" for a woman suspected of infidelity, a highly specific priestly procedure. Numbers 6:1 abruptly transitions from these communal and judicial purity laws to the introduction of a voluntary, individual vow of dedication—the Nazirite vow. This structural placement highlights the Nazirite vow as a unique, personal expression of holiness, distinct from the broader communal purity regulations and the specific priestly duties, yet equally originating from divine command. It signals a new block of legislation, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of God's law, encompassing both mandatory communal standards and provisions for individual, voluntary consecration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this point in Israel's history, they are encamped in the wilderness, having recently received the Law at Mount Sinai and established the Tabernacle as the center of their worship and national identity. The Mosaic Law was progressively revealed, shaping a nomadic people into a holy nation dedicated to Yahweh. In a culture where various forms of vows and dedications existed among surrounding peoples, the Nazirite vow provided a distinctly Israelite means of expressing extraordinary devotion to the LORD. Unlike the mandatory requirements for priests or Levites, the Nazirite vow was voluntary, allowing any Israelite—male or female—to set themselves apart for a specific period. This provision reflects God's desire to offer avenues for personal spiritual commitment beyond the general obligations of the covenant, demonstrating His active involvement in the daily lives and spiritual aspirations of His people. The phrase "the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" is a common formula throughout the Pentateuch, emphasizing the divine authority behind all the laws and instructions given to Israel, such as those found throughout [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Laws of Sacrifice") and [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "Deuteronomy 1 - Moses' Review of Israel's Journey").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, יְהוָה _Yahweh_):** This is the Tetragrammaton, God's personal covenant name, often rendered "Yahweh" or "Jehovah." Its use here emphasizes that the speaker is not a generic deity but the specific, personal God of Israel, who has entered into a covenant relationship with His people. It highlights His faithfulness, sovereignty, and His intimate involvement in revealing His will. This name underscores the relational and authoritative basis for the ensuing commands.
* **spake (Hebrew, דָּבַר _dabar_):** The Hebrew verb _dabar_ signifies a deliberate, authoritative, and often declarative utterance. It implies more than casual speech; it denotes a purposeful communication, a command, or a revelation. In this context, it emphasizes the intentionality and weight of God's words, signaling that what follows is a direct, binding instruction from the divine realm, meant to be heard, understood, and obeyed.
* **Moses (Hebrew, מֹשֶׁה _Mosheh_):** Moses is consistently presented as God's chosen mediator and prophet, the unique recipient of direct divine revelation for the nation of Israel. His name here signifies the authoritative channel through whom God's will is conveyed to His people. It underscores the divine appointment of leadership and the structured manner in which God communicates His covenant requirements and blessings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD spake":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the ultimate source of the ensuing legislation. It is not human wisdom or tradition, but the sovereign, covenant-keeping God who initiates this communication. This highlights God's active involvement in the life of His people and His prerogative to set the terms of their relationship and their conduct.
* **"unto Moses":** This specifies the singular, divinely appointed recipient of the revelation. Moses' unique role as mediator between God and Israel is reaffirmed. All subsequent instructions concerning the Nazirite vow are therefore presented as having passed directly through God's chosen prophet, lending them unquestionable authority and legitimacy for the entire community.
* **"saying":** This word acts as a direct transition, indicating that the specific content of God's message is about to be revealed. It signals the commencement of direct divine instruction, preparing the listener or reader for the detailed laws and provisions that will immediately follow concerning the Nazirite vow. It underscores the direct, propositional nature of God's communication.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 6:1 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is the **Formulaic Opening**, "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying." This precise phrase, or close variations of it, appears hundreds of times throughout the Pentateuch (e.g., [Exodus 6:10](/exodus/6-10 "Exodus 6:10 - God Speaks to Moses"), [Leviticus 4:1](/leviticus/4-1 "Leviticus 4:1 - Sin Offering Instructions")). Its **Repetition** serves as a powerful **Rhetorical Device**, constantly reinforcing the divine authority and origin of the laws and narratives that follow. It acts as a **Divine Authentication Marker**, ensuring the reader understands that the subsequent content is not merely human legislation but direct revelation from Yahweh. Furthermore, it functions as a **Transitional Device**, signaling a new section of discourse or a shift in the subject matter, moving from general purity laws to the specific, voluntary Nazirite vow. This concise verse, therefore, is not just a simple introduction but a foundational statement of **Divine Authority** and **Legal Promulgation**.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 6:1, though brief, is profoundly significant in its theological implications. It underscores the foundational biblical truth that God is a speaking God, who actively and intentionally communicates His will to humanity. This divine initiative is the wellspring of all revelation, law, and covenant. The verse highlights God's absolute sovereignty and His authority to establish the parameters of holiness and devotion for His people. It also implicitly points to the necessity of human receptivity and obedience to divine instruction. The introduction of the Nazirite vow immediately following this declaration demonstrates that God not only commands but also provides pathways for individuals to express extraordinary dedication and pursue a deeper level of consecration within the covenant framework, reflecting His desire for a holy people.

* [Exodus 20:1](/exodus/20-1 "Exodus 20:1 - The Ten Commandments Introduction")
* [Leviticus 1:1](/leviticus/1-1 "Leviticus 1:1 - God Speaks to Moses about Offerings")
* [Deuteronomy 4:1-2](/deuteronomy/4-1 "Deuteronomy 4:1-2 - Obeying God's Statutes")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 6:1 serves as a powerful reminder that our faith is rooted in the active, communicative God of the universe. Just as He spoke directly to Moses to reveal His will for Israel, so too does He speak to us today through His inspired and authoritative Word, the Bible. This verse invites us to approach Scripture not merely as ancient text, but as the living voice of God, demanding our attentive listening, thoughtful reflection, and obedient response. Understanding that God is the primary speaker should cultivate a posture of humility and reverence in our study of His Word. Furthermore, the fact that God introduces a voluntary vow of dedication (the Nazirite vow) immediately after this declaration suggests that true devotion is not merely about fulfilling obligations, but about responding to God's invitation to a deeper, more consecrated life. This challenges us to consider how we might voluntarily set ourselves apart for God's purposes in our contemporary context, beyond our basic Christian duties, in response to His ongoing revelation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God as the primary speaker in Scripture impact your approach to reading the Bible?**
* **In what ways might God be "speaking" to you today through His Word, and how are you responding to His invitations for deeper consecration?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of true spiritual authority and the source of divine truth in your life?**

### FAQ
**Why is the phrase "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying" so common in the Pentateuch?**

Answer: This phrase is a recurring literary and theological formula used hundreds of times in the Pentateuch to emphasize the divine origin and absolute authority of the laws, commands, and narratives that follow. It serves to underscore that the instructions given to Israel are not human inventions or cultural developments, but direct revelations from Yahweh, the covenant God. It reinforces God's active involvement in the life of His people and His role as the ultimate lawgiver, as seen in passages like [Exodus 25:1](/exodus/25-1 "Exodus 25:1 - Instructions for the Tabernacle") and [Leviticus 11:1](/leviticus/11-1 "Leviticus 11:1 - Dietary Laws").

**What is the significance of "the LORD" (YHWH) in this context, rather than a more general term for God?**

Answer: The use of "the LORD" (YHWH, the Tetragrammaton) is profoundly significant because it refers to God's personal, covenant name. It distinguishes Him from the generic deities of surrounding nations and emphasizes His unique relationship with Israel as their faithful, covenant-keeping God. This specific name highlights His personal engagement with His people, His unwavering character, and the intimate basis for His commands. It underscores that the ensuing laws, like the Nazirite vow, are given by a God who is personally invested in the holiness and well-being of His people, as revealed in His self-disclosure to Moses in [Exodus 3:14-15](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14-15 - God's Name Revealed").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 6:1 speaks of God's revelation through Moses, it ultimately points to the supreme and final revelation of God in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament pattern of God speaking through prophets and mediators finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person of Jesus, who is the very Word of God made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He is the perfect and complete expression of God's will and character, as [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken by His Son") declares: "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son." Jesus is the ultimate mediator, superior to Moses, through whom God has spoken His most profound and saving word ([Hebrews 3:1-6](/hebrews/3-1 "Hebrews 3:1-6 - Jesus Greater Than Moses")). Furthermore, the Nazirite vow, introduced by this verse as a means of voluntary consecration, foreshadows the deeper, spiritual consecration available to believers through Christ. In Him, we are not merely taking a temporary vow, but are permanently set apart as a holy priesthood ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), consecrated to God not by external rituals but by the indwelling Holy Spirit and the finished work of Christ on the cross. Through Jesus, God's voice is heard not just in commands, but in the saving invitation to eternal life and a transformed existence ([John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")).

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.