Numbers 20

Jehovah

Jehovah -- 'I AM', the covenant God of Israel

And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them. Numbers 20:6

As Moses and Aaron fall on their faces at the tabernacle, Jehovah, the premortal Christ, appears in glory before commanding water from the rock.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · another scripture interprets it of Him

The rock that gave water

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 20:8–11

Paul teaches that the rock that followed Israel and gave them water was Christ. The rock had already been smitten once (Exodus 17); this time Moses was told only to speak to it, and his striking it again marred a type of Christ, who was smitten once and now gives living water to all who ask.

How we know: a Church study aid lists it · another scripture interprets it of Him · a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

• interpreted by 1 Corinthians 10:4 — 'They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.'
• alludes to Exodus 17:6 — The first smiting of the rock at Horeb (Church footnote 8b).
• alluded to by 2 Nephi 25:20 — Nephi recalls Moses' power to 'smite the rock and the water should come forth' and testifies of 'this Jesus Christ' (Church footnote 11b).
• a type of what is in John 7:37-38 — 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.'

Jehovah sanctified at Meribah

And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. Numbers 20:12–13

Jehovah rebukes Moses and Aaron for not honoring Him as holy before the people. The One Israel strove with at Meribah is the same Rock Paul names as Christ.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · another scripture interprets it of Him

• alluded to by Psalm 95:8 — 'Harden not your heart, as in the provocation' (Meribah), applied to hearing Christ's voice in Hebrews 3:7-8.

The angel who brought Israel out of Egypt

And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border: Numbers 20:16

The angel who led Israel out of Egypt is the 'angel of his presence' who saved and redeemed them and in whom the Lord put His name. Many see in this messenger the premortal Christ Himself leading His people.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

• alludes to Exodus 32:34 — 'Mine Angel shall go before thee' (Church footnote 16a).
• alludes to Exodus 23:20-21 — 'I send an Angel before thee ... my name is in him.'
• the same event in Exodus 14:19 — The angel of God who went before the camp of Israel at the Red Sea.
• alluded to by Isaiah 63:9 — 'The angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them.'

Aaron's death and the passing of the priesthood

And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there. Numbers 20:26–28

The first high priest dies and his robes pass to his son, because mortal priests cannot continue. Hebrews contrasts this with Jesus, whose priesthood never passes to another because He lives forever.

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him

• alluded to by Hebrews 7:23-25 — Priests 'were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man ... hath an unchangeable priesthood.'