Numbers 8:3

8:3 And Aaron did so; he set up the lamps to face toward the front of the lampstand, as the Lord commanded Moses.

Numbers 14:5

14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell down with their faces to the ground before the whole assembled community of the Israelites.

Numbers 16:45

16:45 “Get away from this community, so that I can consume them in an instant!” But they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground.

Numbers 35:19

35:19 The avenger of blood himself must kill the murderer; when he meets him, he must kill him.


sn This action of Moses and Aaron is typical of them in the wilderness with the Israelites. The act shows self-abasement and deference before the sovereign Lord. They are not bowing before the people here, but in front of the people they bow before God. According to Num 17:6-15 this prostration is for the purpose of intercessory prayer. Here it prevents immediate wrath from God.

tn Heb “before all the assembly of the congregation.”

tn Heb “they fell on their faces.”

tn The participle גֹּאֵל (goel) is the one who protects the family by seeking vengeance for a crime. This is the same verb used for levirate marriages and other related customs.