So Moses did as the LORD had commanded, and they climbed Mount Hor in the sight of the whole congregation. So Moses didThis phrase highlights Moses' obedience to God's command. The Hebrew root for "did" is עָשָׂה (asah), which means to do, make, or accomplish. Moses' actions reflect his role as a faithful servant and leader, emphasizing the importance of obedience to divine instructions. In the broader biblical narrative, Moses is often seen as a mediator between God and the Israelites, and his compliance here underscores his dedication to fulfilling God's will. as the LORD had commanded
The phrase underscores the authority and sovereignty of God in the life of Moses and the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "commanded" is צָוָה (tsavah), which implies a directive or order. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people, where God provides guidance and expects adherence. It serves as a reminder of the importance of following God's commands as an expression of faith and trust in His divine plan. and they went up
This action signifies movement and transition, both physically and spiritually. The ascent up Mount Hor can be seen as a metaphor for drawing closer to God, as mountains often symbolize divine encounters in the Bible. The act of going up also indicates a willingness to follow God's lead, even when it involves leaving behind the familiar or comfortable. Mount Hor
Mount Hor is a significant geographical location in the biblical narrative. It is traditionally identified as the place where Aaron, the brother of Moses, died and was buried. The mountain's name in Hebrew, הֹר (Hor), may mean "mountain" or "hill," emphasizing its prominence. The historical and archaeological context of Mount Hor situates it within the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness, marking a pivotal moment in their journey to the Promised Land. in the sight of the whole congregation
This phrase highlights the communal aspect of the event. The Hebrew word for "congregation" is עֵדָה (edah), which refers to an assembly or gathering. The public nature of Moses and Aaron's ascent serves as a witness to the entire community, reinforcing the transparency and accountability of their leadership. It also serves as a collective experience for the Israelites, reminding them of their shared journey and the visible presence of God's guidance in their midst. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. In this passage, Moses is obedient to God's command. 2. AaronThe brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. This chapter marks the end of Aaron's life as he is about to be gathered to his people. 3. Mount HorA significant location where Aaron's death takes place. It is a mountain in the region of Edom, marking a pivotal moment in Israel's journey. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who commands Moses and orchestrates the events described. 5. The Congregation of IsraelThe collective body of the Israelites who witness the events on Mount Hor, representing the community of God's people. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandMoses' actions demonstrate the importance of obedience to God's instructions, even in difficult circumstances. Believers are called to trust and follow God's guidance. The Transition of LeadershipThe event on Mount Hor signifies a transition in leadership, reminding us of the importance of preparing the next generation to carry on God's work. Witness to the CommunityThe presence of the congregation highlights the role of community in witnessing and affirming God's actions. Our faith should be lived out publicly as a testimony to others. The Reality of MortalityAaron's death serves as a reminder of human mortality and the need to live a life of faithfulness, knowing our time on earth is limited. God's Sovereignty in Life and DeathThe passage underscores God's sovereignty over life and death, encouraging believers to trust in His perfect plan and timing. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Moses' obedience in Numbers 20:27 challenge us to respond to God's commands in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we prepare for transitions in leadership within our communities or churches, as seen in the transition from Aaron to Eleazar? 3. How can we ensure that our faith is a public witness to those around us, similar to the congregation witnessing the events on Mount Hor? 4. Reflect on the reality of mortality as demonstrated by Aaron's death. How does this perspective influence your daily walk with God? 5. How does understanding God's sovereignty over life and death provide comfort and assurance in times of uncertainty or loss? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17This chapter provides background on Moses and Aaron's leadership and the challenges they faced, including the people's complaints and God's provision. Leviticus 10This passage highlights the holiness required of the priesthood, which Aaron's sons failed to uphold, leading to their death. Deuteronomy 34This chapter describes the death of Moses, drawing a parallel to Aaron's death and emphasizing the transition of leadership. Hebrews 3This New Testament passage reflects on Moses' faithfulness as a servant in God's house, connecting to his obedience in Numbers 20:27. People Aaron, Egyptians, Eleazar, Israelites, Miriam, MosesPlaces Edom, Egypt, Kadesh-barnea, King's Highway, Meribah, Mount Hor, ZinTopics Ascended, Assembly, Commanded, Community, Company, Congregation, Hor, Mount, SightDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 20:22-29 4254 mountains Numbers 20:23-29 7258 promised land, early history Library August 17. "Speak Ye unto the Rock" (Num. xx. 8).
"Speak ye unto the Rock" (Num. xx. 8). The Holy Ghost is very sensitive, as love always is. You can conquer a wild beast by blows and chains, but you cannot conquer a woman's heart that way, or win the love of a sensitive nature; that must be wooed by the delicate touches of trust and affection. So the Holy Ghost has to be taken by a faith as delicate and sensitive as the gentle heart with whom it is coming in touch. One thought of unbelief, one expression of impatient distrust or fear, will instantly …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The Waters of Meribah
'Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. 2. And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. 3. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! 4. And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Baptist's Inquiry and Jesus' Discourse Suggested Thereby.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XI. 2-30; ^C Luke VII. 18-35. ^c 18 And the disciples of John told him of all these things. ^a 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent by his disciples ^c 19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them unto the Lord [John had been cast into prison about December, a.d. 27, and it was now after the Passover, possibly in May or June, a.d. 28. Herod Antipas had cast John into prison because John had reproved him for taking his brother's wife. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought. …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Peræa to Bethany. Raising of Lazarus.
^D John XI. 1-46. ^d 1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. [For Bethany and the sisters, see p. 478.] 2 And it was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair [John xii. 3 ], whose brother Lazarus was sick. [The anointing had not yet taken place, as John himself shows. For a similar anticipation see Matt. x. 4. There are five prominent Marys in the New Testament: those of Nazareth, Magdala and Bethany; the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Backsliding.
"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."--Hosea xiv. 4. There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, "slid forward." They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently from real back-sliders--those who have been born of the incorruptible …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 20:27 NIVNumbers 20:27 NLTNumbers 20:27 ESVNumbers 20:27 NASBNumbers 20:27 KJV
Numbers 20:27 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
