Numbers 30:1
Then Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel, “This is what the LORD has commanded:
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the heads of the tribes of Israel to relay a divine command regarding vows. He speaks to them at the opening of a legal section before detailing the obligations that follow in verse two.
The words — The verb וַ/יְדַבֵּ֤ר (va/y.da.Ber) literally means "and he spoke," marking the transition into formal instruction. The noun רָאשֵׁ֣י (ra.Shei) denotes the "heads" or "leaders" who hold administrative authority over the tribal families.
The thread — The title for these tribal authorities appears in Numbers 7:2 and Numbers 1:4 as the family heads who present offerings and mustering the census. Exodus 18:25 similarly records Moses appointing capable men as leaders over thousands and hundreds.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to identify the chain of command through which divine law is communicated and enforced. It demands that those in authority transmit and uphold spoken commitments to God without alteration or delay.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded.
Cross-references
- Numbers 7:2 And the leaders of Israel, the heads of their families, presented an offering. These men were the tribal leaders who had supervised the registration.
- Exodus 18:25 So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
- Numbers 1:4 And one man from each tribe, the head of each family, must be there with you.
- Numbers 34:17 “These are the names of the men who are to assign the land as an inheritance for you: Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun.
- Deuteronomy 1:13 Choose for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will appoint them as your leaders.”