Numbers 14:4

Translations

Modern

So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.”

Traditional

And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

Literal

And they said a man to his brother, “Let us set a leader and return to Egypt.”

Latin

Dixeruntque alter ad alterum: Constituamus nobis ducem, et revertamur in Ægyptum.

Original

Hebrew

English

So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.”

Notes

Numbers 14:3–4

The threats they complained about were real, but the Israelites should have trusted the Lord. In the ancient Near East, victors often took wives and children as plunder after battles.
go back to Egypt: The Israelites quickly forgot their slavery and the difficulties of the wilderness (Exodus 2:23–24; Numbers 11:1).

Numbers 14:1–45

The people rejected the testimony of the faithful spies, Joshua and Caleb. Then rebellion spread throughout the community. Moses intervened to save Israel from total destruction. Those who disobeyed God died during a 40-year journey in the wilderness.

Numbers 13:1–14:45

Twelve spies explored the fertile land of Canaan and found strong enemies defending it. Earlier chapters show Israel's disobedience, hinting at future failures. The Israelites did not have the obedience, courage, or faith to capture the land. So, the Lord made them spend 40 years in the Wilderness of Sinai. That generation did not receive their inheritance in the promised land.

Theme notes and profiles

Caleb Joshua Moses Fearing People God’s Faithfulness to His People

Related verses

Acts 7:39
But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.
Nehemiah 9:16–17
But they and our fathers became arrogant and stiff-necked and did not obey Your commandments.
Luke 17:32
Remember Lot’s wife!
Deuteronomy 17:16
But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’
Hebrews 11:15
If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.
Deuteronomy 28:68
The LORD will return you to Egypt in ships by a route that I said you should never see again. There you will sell yourselves to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you.”
Hebrews 10:38–39
But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
2 Peter 2:21–22
It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them.

Parallels

Deuteronomy 1:26–33

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Aaron Asher (Tribe) Deuteronomy, Book of Moses Numbers, Book of Remnant Wilderness Wanderings

Topics

Aaron: Murmured Against, by the People Conspiracy: Miriam and Aaron, Against Moses Cowardice in Fearing to Attempt the Conquest of Canaan Desert, Journey of Israel Through The: The People Terrified and Rebel Disobedience to God in Refusing to Enter the Promised Land Government: Mosaic: Refused to Make Conquest of Canaan Israel: Complaining Over the Report Moses: People Complain Against Moses and Aaron Mutiny: Israelites Against Moses Trouble: when the Spies Brought Their Adverse Report

Numbers 14:4

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Parallels?