What Does Numbers 20:7 Mean in the King James?

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 20:7 · 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 beneath “spake” also gives davar, “word” and “matter,” so the speech’s substance is about to unfold.

THE MEANING

You stand at the threshold of an address: the LORD speaks to Moses, while the message arrives in the next verse. Moses’ name is linked in the text to being drawn out, placing a life marked by emergence inside this moment of address.

THE ROOT

וַיְדַבֵּר

waydabbēr

GROWS FROM

ד־ב־ר

d-b-r

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

The same root connects the act of speaking with davar, a word or matter. Here “spake … saying” opens a speech whose substance comes into view in the next verse.

ALSO GROWS

dibbēr: spoke, addressed

דִּבֵּר

This is the verb form in the verse: the speech is directed to Moses.

dāḇār: word, matter, thing

דָּבָר

Its range joins what is spoken with the matter being disclosed.

מֹשֶׁה

Mōšeh

GROWS FROM

מ־ש־ה

m-sh-h

Draw out; the verse’s name-play links Moses to being drawn from water.

“Moses” in this verse is Mōšeh. Exodus 2:10 connects the name Moshe with mashah, “to draw out.” In this verse, the person being addressed carries a name marked by emergence.

ALSO GROWS

māšâ: to draw out

מָשָׁה

This is the verb behind the name’s connection to being drawn from water.

məšîtihû: I drew him out

מְשִׁיתִהוּ

This form appears in the name explanation in Exodus 2:10.

לֵאמֹר

lē’mōr

GROWS FROM

א־מ־ר

ʾ-m-r

Say, speak, utter.

“saying” in this verse is lē’mōr. Lemor marks the words that follow as the content of the address. It keeps this verse open at the moment before the message is heard.

ALSO GROWS

ʾāmar: to say, speak

אָמַר

This is the verb that supplies “saying” in the speech formula.

ʾēmer: utterance, word

אֵמֶר

This related noun points toward the message about to be disclosed.

THE PATTERN

A divine utterance begins by addressing a hearer while its content unfolds.

And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

Exodus 3:4 · KJVThe call names Moses before the exchange continues.

And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

1 Samuel 3:10 · KJVSamuel is addressed first, then answers the voice that speaks to him.

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

Acts 9:4 · KJVThe voice addresses Saul before its question opens the message.

THE THREAD

Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

Numbers 20:8 · KJV

The same Hebrew root for “spake” in verse 7 appears in the command “speak” in verse 8. The voice first reaches Moses, then directs his speech toward the rock, which is to give forth water.

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