◄ Numbers 5:1 ►
Then the LORD said to Moses,
Study Bible
Then
The word "Then" serves as a transitional term, indicating a continuation of the narrative and instructions that God is providing to Moses. It suggests a sequence of divine communication, emphasizing the ongoing relationship and dialogue between God and His chosen leader, Moses. This continuity is crucial in understanding the unfolding of God's covenantal instructions to the Israelites.

the LORD
The term "the LORD" is a translation of the Hebrew name "YHWH," often vocalized as Yahweh. This is the personal and covenantal name of God, signifying His eternal, self-existent nature. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness and His unique relationship with Israel. The use of this name underscores the authority and holiness of the instructions that follow, as they come directly from the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

said
The word "said" indicates direct communication from God to Moses. In the Hebrew context, this verb implies not just speaking, but conveying authoritative and binding instructions. It reflects the prophetic nature of Moses' leadership, as he serves as the mouthpiece of God to the people. This divine speech acts as a foundation for the laws and guidelines that are to be implemented among the Israelites.

to Moses
Moses is the central human figure in this narrative, chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness. His role as a mediator between God and the people is critical. Historically, Moses is revered as a prophet, lawgiver, and leader. The mention of Moses here highlights his unique position and responsibility in receiving and transmitting God's commands. It also reflects the trust and intimacy of his relationship with God, as he is consistently chosen to receive divine revelations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is holy and righteous, 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. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are receiving instructions on maintaining purity within the camp.
Teaching Points
Holiness and Separation
God’s instructions to Moses highlight the importance of holiness and separation from impurity. As believers, we are called to live lives that are set apart and reflect God’s holiness.

Obedience to God’s Commands
The Israelites were required to follow God’s commands precisely. This teaches us the importance of obedience in our walk with God, trusting that His instructions are for our good.

Community Responsibility
The instructions given to Moses were for the entire community, emphasizing that maintaining purity is a collective responsibility. In the church, we are called to support one another in living holy lives.

God’s Presence Among His People
The need for purity in the camp underscores the reality of God’s presence among His people. We are reminded that God dwells within us through the Holy Spirit, calling us to live in a way that honors Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of holiness in Numbers 5:1 relate to our daily lives as Christians today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are living in obedience to God’s commands, as the Israelites were instructed to do?

3. How can we, as a church community, support each other in maintaining spiritual purity and holiness?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to be more aware of God’s presence in our lives, similar to the Israelites’ awareness of God’s presence in their camp?

5. How do the instructions in Numbers 5:1 connect with the New Testament teachings on holiness and purity, and how can we apply these teachings in our modern context?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 13-14
These chapters provide detailed laws about cleanliness, particularly concerning skin diseases and mildew, which relate to the instructions given in Numbers 5 about maintaining purity.

Deuteronomy 23:14
This verse emphasizes the importance of keeping the camp holy because the LORD walks among His people, similar to the instructions in Numbers 5.

1 Peter 1:15-16
This New Testament passage calls believers to be holy as God is holy, reflecting the call to purity and holiness found in Numbers 5.
Sermons
The Expulsion and Restoration of the UncleanW. Binnie Numbers 5:1-4
The Public Exclusion of the UncleanE.S. Prout Numbers 5:1-4
Things that DefileD. Young Numbers 5:1-4
People
Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Sinai
Topics
Saying, Spake, Speaketh, Spoke
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 5:1-3

     5901   loneliness
     7348   defilement
     8269   holiness, separation from worldly
     8271   holiness, purpose

Numbers 5:1-7

     5707   male and female

Library
Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
It is found by continual experience, that near the time of death, when the children of God are weakest, then Satan makes the greatest nourish of his strength, and assails them with his strongest temptations. For he knows that either he must now or never prevail; for if their souls once go to heaven, he shall never vex nor trouble them any more. And therefore he will now bestir himself as much as he can, and labour to set before their eyes all the gross sins which ever they committed, and the judgments …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Ciii. Zacchæus. Parable of the Pounds. Journey to Jerusalem.
(Jericho.) ^C Luke XIX. 1-28. ^c 1 And he entered and was passing through Jericho. [This was about one week before the crucifixion. Jericho is about seven miles from the Jordan and about seventeen and a half from Jerusalem.] 2 And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich. [See p. 76. It is probable that Zacchæus was a sub-contractor under some Roman knight who had bought the privilege of collecting taxes at Jericho, or perhaps the privilege of all …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished; …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
^A Matt.VIII. 2-4; ^B Mark I. 40-45; ^C Luke V. 12-16. ^c 12 And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities [it was a city of Galilee, but as it was not named, it is idle to conjecture which city it was], behold, ^b there cometh { ^a came} ^b to him a leper [There is much discussion as to what is here meant by leprosy. Two diseases now go by that name; viz., psoriasis and elephantiasis. There are also three varieties of psoriasis, namely, white, black and red. There are also three varieties …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Eternity of God
The next attribute is, God is eternal.' Psa 90:0. From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.' The schoolmen distinguish between aevun et aeternum, to explain the notion of eternity. There is a threefold being. I. Such as had a beginning; and shall have an end; as all sensitive creatures, the beasts, fowls, fishes, which at death are destroyed and return to dust; their being ends with their life. 2. Such as had a beginning, but shall have no end, as angels and the souls of men, which are eternal …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

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

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