Numbers 35:10 (KJV)

What does Numbers 35:10 mean?

Numbers 35:10 is God’s instruction to Moses to speak to the Israelites and tell them what to do when they cross the Jordan River into the land of Canaan. The verse sets up directions that will apply once the people have entered their new land.

In this verse, God is addressing Moses, who is then to relay God’s words to the Israelites. The context is the Israelites’ journey as they prepare to enter Canaan, the land promised to them after leaving Egypt. This verse introduces a section where God will give specific instructions about what the Israelites must do once they settle in Canaan, especially regarding cities of refuge and how the land should be organized.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 35:10

• "Speak" (דַּבֵּר, dabber): This word is often used for formal or important communication from God, highlighting that what follows is a direct and significant message.
• "Over" (עָבַר, avar): This word means to cross or pass over, specifically referring here to crossing the Jordan River, marking a major transition for the Israelites from wandering to settling.
• "Canaan" (כְּנַעַן, kena‘an): The name refers to the territory the Israelites are about to enter, emphasizing the fulfillment of God’s promise to give them this land.

Why Numbers 35:10 matters

• Numbers 35:10 marks a turning point, signaling that the Israelites are about to move from a wandering people to a settled nation in their promised land.
• The verse prepares the reader for a new set of laws that only apply once the Israelites are living in Canaan, showing that God’s instructions are connected to their real-life situation.
• By specifying the crossing of the Jordan and entry into Canaan, the verse connects the commands that follow to the fulfillment of God’s earlier promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.