Numbers 15:17
New International Version
The LORD said to Moses,

New Living Translation
Then the LORD said to Moses,

English Standard Version
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Berean Standard Bible
Then the LORD said to Moses,

King James Bible
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

New King James Version
Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

New American Standard Bible
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

NASB 1995
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

NASB 1977
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Amplified Bible
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD instructed Moses,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD instructed Moses: “

American Standard Version
And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

English Revised Version
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD said to Moses,

Good News Translation
The LORD gave Moses

International Standard Version
Then the LORD instructed Moses:

NET Bible
The LORD spoke to Moses:

New Heart English Bible
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Then the LORD said to Moses,

World English Bible
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And YHWH speaks to Moses, saying,

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will speak to Moses, saying,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Speak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them:

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Speak to the sons of Israel, and you shall say to them:

New American Bible
The LORD spoke to Moses:

New Revised Standard Version
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH spoke with Moshe and said to him:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws about Offerings
16The same law and the same ordinance will apply both to you and to the foreigner residing with you.” 17Then the LORD said to Moses, 18“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you enter the land to which I am bringing you…

Cross References
Leviticus 23:10-14
“Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘When you enter the land that I am giving you and you reap its harvest, you are to bring to the priest a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest. / And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD so that it may be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath. / On the day you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a year-old lamb without blemish as a burnt offering to the LORD, ...

Deuteronomy 26:1-11
When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you take possession of it and settle in it, / you are to take some of the firstfruits of all your produce from the soil of the land that the LORD your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name, / to the priest who is serving at that time, and say to him, “I declare today to the LORD your God that I have entered the land that the LORD swore to our fathers to give us.” ...

Exodus 23:19
Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Exodus 34:26
Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

Leviticus 2:14-16
If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits to the LORD, you shall offer crushed heads of new grain roasted on the fire. / And you are to put oil and frankincense on it; it is a grain offering. / The priest shall then burn the memorial portion of the crushed grain and the oil, together with all its frankincense, as a food offering to the LORD.

Deuteronomy 18:4
You are to give them the firstfruits of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the first wool sheared from your flock.

Nehemiah 10:35-37
We will also bring the firstfruits of our land and of every fruit tree to the house of the LORD year by year. / And we will bring the firstborn of our sons and our livestock, as it is written in the Law, and will bring the firstborn of our herds and flocks to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God. / Moreover, we will bring to the priests at the storerooms of the house of our God the firstfruits of our dough, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees, and of our new wine and oil. A tenth of our produce belongs to the Levites, so that they shall receive tithes in all the towns where we labor.

Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops; / then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

Ezekiel 44:30
The best of all the firstfruits and of every contribution from all your offerings will belong to the priests. You are to give your first batch of dough to the priest, so that a blessing may rest upon your homes.

2 Chronicles 31:5
As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously provided the firstfruits of the grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance—a tithe of everything.

Romans 11:16
If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

1 Corinthians 15:20
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

James 1:18
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

Revelation 14:4
These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

Matthew 13:8
Still other seed fell on good soil and produced a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.


Treasury of Scripture

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Jump to Previous
Speaketh
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Speaketh
Numbers 15
1. The law of the meat offering, and the drink offering
14. The stranger is under the same law
17. The law of the first of the dough
22. The sacrifice for sins of ignorance
30. The punishment of presumption
32. He who violated the Sabbath is stoned
37. The law of tassels














Then the LORD said to Moses,
This phrase indicates a direct communication from God to Moses, a common occurrence in the Pentateuch, where Moses serves as the primary mediator between God and the Israelites. This divine communication underscores the authority and sacredness of the instructions that follow. In the context of Numbers, God often speaks to Moses to provide laws and guidelines for the Israelites as they journey through the wilderness. This reflects the covenant relationship established at Sinai, where God gave the Law to Moses for the people. The phrase also highlights the role of Moses as a prophet, a leader chosen by God to guide His people, which is affirmed in Deuteronomy 34:10, where it states that no prophet has arisen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face. This communication is part of the ongoing revelation of God's will to His chosen people, emphasizing the importance of obedience and faithfulness to His commands.
Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is giving instructions to His people through Moses.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His laws and commandments to the people.

3. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are receiving these laws as part of their covenant relationship with Him.

4. Wilderness Journey
The context in which these instructions are given, as the Israelites are journeying towards the Promised Land.

5. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants, and towards which the Israelites are traveling.
Teaching Points
God's Communication
God speaks to His people through chosen leaders, emphasizing the importance of listening to and respecting spiritual authority.

Covenant Relationship
The instructions given to Moses are part of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, highlighting the importance of obedience and faithfulness.

Provision and Promise
The context of the wilderness journey and the anticipation of the Promised Land remind us of God's provision and the hope of future fulfillment.

Obedience and Faith
The Israelites' journey is a lesson in obedience and faith, teaching us to trust in God's promises even when the path is uncertain.

Spiritual Leadership
Moses' role as a mediator between God and the people underscores the importance of spiritual leadership and guidance in our faith communities.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Numbers 15:17?

2. How does Numbers 15:17 emphasize the importance of offerings in worship practices?

3. What does Numbers 15:17 teach about obedience to God's commands?

4. How can we apply the principles of Numbers 15:17 in our daily lives?

5. How does Numbers 15:17 connect with New Testament teachings on offerings?

6. What role does gratitude play in the instructions given in Numbers 15:17?

7. What is the significance of the grain offering in Numbers 15:17-21?

8. How does Numbers 15:17 relate to the concept of firstfruits in the Bible?

9. Why does God command offerings in Numbers 15:17-21?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 15?

11. What does Jehovah-Nissi mean?

12. What does 'The Lord is My Banner' mean?

13. Why does God kill Uzzah instantly for touching the Ark to prevent it from falling (2 Samuel 6:7)?

14. Numbers 20:8-11 - Why does this passage seem inconsistent with Exodus 17:6 regarding the instructions God gives Moses for drawing water from a rock?
What Does Numbers 15:17 Mean
Then

• The word points us back to what has just been said. In Numbers 15:1–16 the people were given instructions about grain, drink, and animal offerings that would apply “after you enter the land.” The sequence reminds us that God’s commands build upon one another, moving His people steadily toward obedience and blessing (see Exodus 12:1–2; Leviticus 24:1–4).

• “Then” also highlights God’s patience. Even after Israel’s failures in chapters 13–14, the Lord continues to speak, demonstrating the truth of Psalm 103:8: “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.”


the LORD

• This is Israel’s covenant God, the One who revealed Himself as “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). His unchanging name assures the people that His promises remain sure despite their rebellion (Malachi 3:6).

• By naming Himself here, God emphasizes His authority. What follows is not Moses’ idea but divine command, echoing the pattern of Leviticus 1:1, “The LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting.”

• The mention of the LORD also reassures the wilderness generation that, although they must wander, the same God who defeated Egypt (Exodus 15:3) is still guiding them.


said

• God speaks. From Genesis 1:3 onward, His spoken word creates, commands, and sustains. Hebrews 1:1–2 will later remind us that He has always communicated with His people.

• When He “said,” the expectation is obedience (Deuteronomy 4:36). His speech carries life and direction, distinguishing Israel from the nations who serve silent idols (Psalm 115:4–7).

• The ongoing dialogue shows relationship, not mere rule-giving. As with Abraham (Genesis 18:17) and Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10), God’s spoken word invites His servants into deeper fellowship.


to Moses

• Moses is the chosen mediator (Exodus 19:3; Numbers 12:6–8). The people hear God through him, foreshadowing the greater Prophet whom God would later raise up (Deuteronomy 18:15).

• This arrangement underscores order. God’s word comes to Moses, who will relay it accurately, maintaining unity and preventing confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).

• The phrase also highlights grace. Though Israel has murmured against Moses (Numbers 14:2), God still entrusts leadership to him, demonstrating Romans 11:29: “For God’s gifts and His calling are irrevocable.”


summary

Numbers 15:17, “Then the LORD said to Moses,” may seem brief, yet every word is rich. “Then” ties the verse to God’s unfolding plan, “the LORD” assures us of His covenant faithfulness, “said” reveals His active, authoritative voice, and “to Moses” points to the divinely appointed mediator. Together, the words affirm that God continually guides His people, speaks with clarity, and provides leadership—even when they falter—so they can walk in obedience and hope.

Verse 17. - And the Lord spake unto Moses. Whether on the same or on some other occasion we cannot tell. The two enactments have the same supplemental and (humanly speaking) trivial character.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

said
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר (way·ḏab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to Moses,
מֹשֶׁ֥ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver


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OT Law: Numbers 15:17 Yahweh spoke to Moses saying (Nu Num.)
Numbers 15:16
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