Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The LORD said to Moses, New Living Translation The LORD also instructed Moses, English Standard Version And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Berean Standard Bible And the LORD said to Moses, King James Bible And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, New King James Version Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, New American Standard Bible Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, NASB 1995 Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, NASB 1977 Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Legacy Standard Bible Now Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, Amplified Bible Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Christian Standard Bible The LORD spoke to Moses: Holman Christian Standard Bible The LORD spoke to Moses: “ American Standard Version And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, Contemporary English Version The LORD also told Moses, English Revised Version And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD said to Moses, Good News Translation The LORD said to Moses, International Standard Version Later, the LORD told Moses, NET Bible Then 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 BibleAnd the LORD said to Moses, World English Bible Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd 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 BibleAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Catholic Public Domain Version And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: New American Bible The LORD said to Moses: New Revised Standard Version The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And LORD JEHOVAH spoke with Moshe and said to him: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: Brenton Septuagint Translation And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Retirement for Levites23And the LORD said to Moses, 24“This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years of age or older shall enter to perform the service in the work at the Tent of Meeting.… Cross References Numbers 4:3 men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. Numbers 4:23 from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. Numbers 4:30 from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work of the Tent of Meeting. Numbers 4:35 everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. Numbers 4:39 everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. Numbers 4:43 everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. Numbers 4:47 from thirty to fifty years old who came to do the work of serving and carrying the Tent of Meeting. 1 Chronicles 23:3 The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000. 1 Chronicles 23:24-27 These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families, registered individually by name—those twenty years of age or older who worked in the service of the house of the LORD. / For David had said, “The LORD, the God of Israel, has given rest to His people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever. / So now the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles for its service.” ... 1 Chronicles 23:32 So the Levites were to carry out the responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting and the Holy Place, and, under their brothers the descendants of Aaron, the service of the house of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 31:17 and to the priests enrolled according to their families in the genealogy, as well as to the Levites twenty years of age or older, according to their responsibilities and divisions. Leviticus 25:8 And you shall count off seven Sabbaths of years—seven times seven years—so that the seven Sabbaths of years amount to forty-nine years. Leviticus 25:40 Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. Luke 3:23 Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was regarded as the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, Hebrews 7:23-28 Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. / But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. / Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. ... Treasury of Scripture And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Jump to Previous Moses SpeakethJump to Next Moses SpeakethNumbers 8 1. How the lamps are to be lighted5. The consecration of the Levites 23. The age and time of their service And the LORD said to Moses, This phrase indicates direct communication from God to Moses, a common occurrence in the Pentateuch, highlighting Moses' unique role as a prophet and leader of Israel. The phrase underscores the divine authority behind the instructions that follow. In the broader biblical context, Moses is often seen as a type of Christ, serving as a mediator between God and His people, which prefigures Christ's role as the ultimate mediator (Hebrews 3:1-6). The use of "LORD" in all caps signifies the covenant name of God, Yahweh, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This communication reflects the intimate relationship between God and Moses, as seen in Exodus 33:11, where it is said that the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who communicates His will and instructions to His people through Moses. 2. Moses The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and guide them through the wilderness. He serves as the mediator between God and the Israelites. 3. The Israelites The chosen people of God, who are being prepared to serve Him and live according to His commandments as they journey towards the Promised Land. 4. The Tabernacle The portable dwelling place for the divine presence of God among the Israelites, where the Levites serve. 5. The Levites A tribe set apart for the service of the Tabernacle, responsible for its care and the spiritual duties associated with worship. Teaching Points Divine CommunicationGod speaks to His people through chosen leaders. Just as He spoke to Moses, God continues to guide His people today through His Word and the Holy Spirit. Role of Leadership Moses' role as a mediator highlights the importance of godly leadership in guiding and instructing God's people. Leaders today are called to faithfully communicate God's truth. Service and Dedication The Levites' dedication to the Tabernacle service reminds us of the call to serve God with commitment and purity. Every believer is called to serve in their unique capacity within the body of Christ. Holiness and Preparation The setting apart of the Levites underscores the need for holiness and preparation in serving God. Believers are to live lives that reflect God's holiness. Continuity of God's Plan The instructions given to Moses are part of God's unfolding plan for His people, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Understanding this continuity helps believers appreciate the depth of God's redemptive work. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 8:23?2. How does Numbers 8:23 emphasize the importance of age in Levitical service? 3. What does Numbers 8:23 teach about God's order in ministry roles? 4. How does Numbers 8:23 connect with the New Testament view of spiritual maturity? 5. In what ways can we apply the principle of readiness from Numbers 8:23? 6. How does Numbers 8:23 reflect God's design for structured community service? 7. What is the significance of the age requirement in Numbers 8:23-26 for Levites' service? 8. How does Numbers 8:23-26 reflect God's organization of religious duties? 9. Why does Numbers 8:23-26 specify retirement for Levites at age fifty? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 8? 11. Does God change His mind? (Numbers 23:19 vs. Exodus 32:14) 12. If Exodus 33:11 says Moses spoke with God 'face to face,' how do we reconcile this with Exodus 33:20 where God says no one can see His face and live? 13. How did David consult the ephod for instant divine guidance in 1 Samuel 23:9-12 when similar direct communication is uncommon elsewhere in the Old Testament? 14. How many died in the plague after the Israelites' adultery with Moab's daughters: 24,000 (Numbers 25:1, 9) or 23,000 (I Corinthians 10:8)? What Does Numbers 8:23 Mean AndNumbers 8:23 opens with “And,” a small word that ties this verse to the flow of the preceding passage. • It shows continuity: God’s instructions about the Levites (Numbers 8:1-22) are not isolated but form part of a larger, unfolding revelation, just as the “and” in Genesis 1:2 bridges verses 1 and 2. • Scripture frequently uses “and” to move the narrative forward—Exodus 25:1, Leviticus 1:1—reminding us that God’s guidance comes step-by-step. • The conjunction invites us to read the surrounding context so we see how each command builds on the last (Psalm 119:160). the LORD “The LORD” (YHWH) identifies the Speaker as the covenant-keeping God. • The same LORD who spoke to Abraham (Genesis 12:1) and to Elijah (1 Kings 19:9) speaks here, underscoring His unchanging nature (Malachi 3:6). • Because He is LORD, His words carry absolute authority (Isaiah 45:22-23). • His covenant name reassures Israel that the coming instructions about Levitical service flow from His faithful character (Deuteronomy 7:9). said God did not merely impress thoughts on Moses; He “said.” • The verse highlights verbal revelation; His spoken word creates, commands, and commissions (Psalm 33:9). • Every utterance of God is infallible (Proverbs 30:5), so what follows is trustworthy. • The pattern of “The LORD said” runs through the Torah (Exodus 6:10; Numbers 9:1), affirming that Scripture is divinely breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) and meant to be obeyed, not debated. to Moses The message is personal and specific. • Moses is God’s chosen mediator (Exodus 3:10; Deuteronomy 34:10-12); the people will hear God’s voice through him. • Speaking “to Moses” underlines orderly leadership—God directs His community through appointed servants (Hebrews 13:17). • It also reminds us of Moses’ unique intimacy with God: “The LORD spoke with Moses face to face” (Exodus 33:11; Numbers 12:6-8). summary Every word of Numbers 8:23 matters. The verse links seamlessly with prior commands (“And”), magnifies the covenant God who is speaking (“the LORD”), stresses the reliability of divine revelation (“said”), and spotlights the mediator through whom guidance comes (“to Moses”). Taken literally, the line assures us that the next instructions about the Levites come straight from the unchanging LORD, spoken aloud, delivered through His chosen servant, and therefore entirely trustworthy for God’s people then and now. Hebrew And the LORDיְהוָ֖ה (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 אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Moses, מֹשֶׁ֥ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver Links Numbers 8:23 NIVNumbers 8:23 NLT Numbers 8:23 ESV Numbers 8:23 NASB Numbers 8:23 KJV Numbers 8:23 BibleApps.com Numbers 8:23 Biblia Paralela Numbers 8:23 Chinese Bible Numbers 8:23 French Bible Numbers 8:23 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 8:23 Yahweh spoke to Moses saying (Nu Num.) |