Bible Commentaries
Numbers 14

Verse 1

lifted up their voice. Hebrew idiom "lifted up and gave their voice". Genesis 21:16 . Psalms 18:13 .Jeremiah 2:15 .Psalms 104:12 ; Psalms 77:18 . Habakkuk 3:10 .

cried = cried aloud. What a contrast to Exodus 15:1 , "Then sang". Compare Exodus 15:13-17 , and note 1 Corinthians 10:11 .

Verse 2

children = sons.

Would God. Figure of speech Eonismus. App-6 .

Verse 3

wherefore. Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah.

were it not . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 4

captain. At Horeb they made a "calf"; at Kadesh they would make a "captain". Two notable occasions.

Verse 6

Joshua . . . and Caleb. Only t wo out of twelve; only two out of the whole congregation. Let us heed the lesson, and take courage. 1 Corinthians 10:11 .

Verse 7

exceeding. Hebrew "very, very". Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6 .

Verse 8

If the LORD delight in us. This is the secret of all blessing. Deuteronomy 10:15 . 2 Samuel 15:25 , 2 Samuel 15:26 ; 2 Samuel 22:20 . 1 Kings 10:9 . Psalms 22:8 ; Psalms 147:10 , Psalms 147:11 .Isaiah 62:4 .

Verse 9

defence. Hebrew = shadow. Note Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 .) Literally "they [are] like our bread (= manna), their shadow hath turned aside from off them.". The manna when out of the shade melted, though hard (Compare Numbers 11:8 and Exodus 16:21 ): so the hearts of their enemies would melt away, not having Jehovah for their shadow, or defence. Compare Exodus 15:15 .Joshua 2:9 , Joshua 2:11 .Isaiah 13:7 ; Isaiah 19:1 .Ezekiel 21:7 .

Verse 10

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. 'ohel. See App-40 .

Verse 11

said. See note on Numbers 3:40 .

How long . . . ? = to what point. Compare Numbers 14:27 . Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 13

from among. Figure of speech Pleonasm ( App-6 ). = "out of the midst of".

Verse 14

face to face. Hebrew eye to eye.

Thy cloud. Compare Exodus 13:21 .

Verse 15

man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .

Verse 17

my LORD = Jehovah. One of the 134 alterations of the Sopherim. See App-32 . Many codices, and first printed edition, read "Jehovah".

Verse 18

The LORD = Jehovah. Quoted from Exodus 34:6 ; Exodus 20:5 with Exodus 34:7 .

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

iniquity. Hebrew. 'avah. App-44 .

transgression. Hebrew. pasha. App-44 . Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel and Septuagint, read "transgression and sin", as in Exodus 34:7 .

Verse 21

as I live. Hebrew "assuredly I live; and all the earth", &c. Compare Ezekiel 18:3 ; Ezekiel 20:33 .Romans 14:11 .

all the earth. First occurrence of this expression. Compare Isaiah 6:3 ; Isaiah 11:9 . Psalms 72:19 . Habakkuk 2:14 . Note the unconditional covenant.

Verse 22

men. Hebrew, plural of 'ish or 'enosh. App-14 .

ten times. Not a "round" number: (1) At Red Sea (Exodus 14:11 , Exodus 14:12 ). (2) At Marah (Exodus 15:23 , Exodus 15:24 ). (3) Wilderness of Sin (Exodus 15:23 , Exodus 15:24 ). (4, 5) Twice about manna (Exodus 16:20 , Exodus 16:27 ). (6) At Rephidim (Exodus 17:1-3 ). (7) At Horeb (golden calf) (Exodus 32:0 ). (8) At Taberah (Numbers 11:1 ). (9) At Kibroth Hattaavah (Numbers 11:4 ). (10) Here, at Kadesh (Numbers 14:2 ).

Verse 24

another = different. Compare Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:15 , "otherwise". Compare Ephesians 4:23 .

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. Spirit put for motions of the mind and character ( App-9 ).

Verse 27

How long . . . ? = to what time. Compare Numbers 14:11 . Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

shall I bear with. Figure of speech Ellipsis. App-6 .

Verse 28

as = according as.

so will I do. Psalms 95:11 . Psa 26:65 ; Psalms 32:11 .Deuteronomy 1:35 .Hebrews 3:17 , Hebrews 3:18 .

Verse 29

numbered. Compare Numbers 1:45 with Numbers 26:63-65 .

Verse 30

I sware. Hebrew I lifted up my hand. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , put for swearing. Compare Numbers 14:21 .Deuteronomy 32:40 , &c.

Verse 31

ye said. Numbers 14:3 . Compare Deuteronomy 1:39 .

know = get to know, and enjoy. Septuagint = shall inherit.

Verse 33

wander = be wanderers.

whoredoms. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the punishment they produced, all caused by idolatry. Compare Jeremiah 3:9 . Ezekiel 16:15-17 . Exodus 34:15 , Exodus 34:16 . Leviticus 17:7 .

Verse 34

forty days. See App-10 . The number of Probation.

each day for a year. No universal law here: "day" means day, and "year" means year. See App-11 .

breach = "my breach of promise (compare Numbers 14:42 and Numbers 14:43 ; [with which ye charge me] meaneth". Compare Deuteronomy 31:16 , Deuteronomy 31:17 . Zechariah 11:10 . Romans 11:22 ; also Job 33:10 .

Verse 35

said. See note on Numbers 3:40 . Said on 26 Ab (fifth month, second year). The whole period is contained in Numbers (chapter) 15 and Numbers (chapter) 19; Numbers 33:19-36 , inclusive. See App-50 .

shall die. Aaron died on first day of fifth month of fortieth year, Numbers 20:28 ; Numbers 33:38 . The second numbering took place after that.

Verse 36

men. Hebrew pi. of 'ish or 'enosh. App-14 . These ten men died by a special plague at the time. Compare 1 Chronicles 13:10 . 2 Samuel 6:7 .

Verse 40

Lo. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

sinned. Hebrew. chat'a. App-44 .

Verse 41

commandment. Hebrew "mouth". Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the word spoken by it.

Verse 44

presumed to go up = were presumptuous to go up. Compare idiom, Numbers 35:31 .Genesis 2:3 ; Genesis 31:27 . Deuteronomy 1:42 , Deuteronomy 1:43 .

Verse 45

Hormah = destruction.