What Does Numbers 16:20 Mean in the King James?

And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

Numbers 16:20 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The Hebrew root for “spake” also forms a word for “matter” or “thing,” so this address opens onto a concrete event.

THE MEANING

You stand at the threshold where speech becomes encounter: the LORD addresses Moses and Aaron, and a specific matter is about to be disclosed. The Hebrew root lets speaking and matter touch, so the announcement already carries what is coming.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It unsettles the idea that this is a weightless preface: the address leads directly to a consequential command.

THE ROOT

וַיְדַבֵּר

vayedabber

GROWS FROM

ד־ב־ר

To speak; the related noun davar means word, matter, or thing.

“spake” in this verse is vayedabber. English can make speech sound like mere sound, but this Hebrew root also names a matter or thing. Here, the LORD’s speaking is the opening of something concrete, not an abstract preface.

ALSO GROWS

davar: Word, matter, or thing

דָּבָר

The same root joins what is spoken to the matter that comes into view.

devarim: Words, matters, or things

דְּבָרִים

The plural preserves that range: words can also be the matters being addressed.

THE PATTERN

A divine utterance names its hearer before revealing the matter that person must face.

And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:

Exodus 6:2 · KJVMoses is addressed before the LORD reveals what the message will establish.

And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

Genesis 22:1 · KJVAbraham’s name comes first, just before the test is disclosed.

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Acts 9:4 · KJVSaul is named before the voice reveals the matter confronting him.

THE THREAD

With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

Numbers 12:8 · KJV

The Hebrew root ⁨דבר⁩ appears both when the LORD says he will speak directly with Moses and when it describes people speaking against him. That shared root makes this address open onto speech as an act with direction and consequence.

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