Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 14:6
And Joshua, etc. - See on Numbers 13:33 ; (note). read more
Numbers 14:1-35
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 14:9
Their defense - צלם tsillam , their shadow, a metaphor highly expressive of protection and support in the sultry eastern countries. The protection of God is so called; see Psalm 91:1 ; Psalm 121:5 ; see also Isaiah 51:16 ; Isaiah 49:2 ; Isaiah 30:2 . The Arabs and Persians have the same word to express the same thing. nemayeed zulli doulet mamdood bad . "May the shadow of thy prosperity be extended!" nemayced zulli doulet ber mufareki khayr khwahen mamdood bad . ... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 14:10
The glory of the Lord appeared - This timely appearance of the Divine glory prevented these faithful servants of God from being stoned to death by this base and treacherous multitude. "Every man is immortal till his work is done," while in simplicity of heart he is following his God. read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 14:14
That thy cloud standeth over them - This cloud, the symbol of the Divine glory, and proof of the Divine presence, appears to have assumed three different forms for three important purposes. It appeared by day in the form of a pillar of a sufficient height to be seen by all the camp, and thus went before them to point out their way in the desert. Exodus 40:38 . It appeared by night as a pillar of fire to give them light while travelling by night, which they probably sometimes did; (see... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 14:18
The Lord is longsuffering - See the note on Exodus 34:6 . read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 14:19
Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people - From Numbers 14:13 ; to Numbers 14:19 ; inclusive we have the words of Moses's intercession; they need no explanation, they are full of simplicity and energy; his arguments with God (for be did reason and argue with his Maker) are pointed, cogent, and respectful; and while they show a heart full of humanity, they evidence the deepest concern for the glory of God. The argumentum ad hominem is here used in the most unexceptionable... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 14:20
I have pardoned - That is, They shall not be cut off as they deserve, because thou hast interceded for their lives. read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 14:21
All the earth shall be filled, etc. - הארץ כל kol haarets , all This land, i. e., the land of Canaan which was only fulfilled to the letter when the preaching of Christ and his apostles was heard through all the cities and villages of Judea. It does not appear that the whole of the terraqueous globe is meant by this expression in any of the places where it occurs connected with this promise of the diffusion of the Divine light. See Psalm 72:19 ; Isaiah 40:5 ; Habakkuk 2:14 . read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 14:24
But my servant Caleb, etc. - Caleb had another spirit - not only a bold, generous, courageous, noble, and heroic spirit; but the Spirit and influence of the God of heaven thus raised him above human inquietudes and earthly fears, therefore be followed God fully; אחרי וימלא vaimalle acharai , literally, he filled after me: God showed him the way he was to take, and the line of conduct he was to pursue, and he filled up this line, and in all things followed the will of his Maker. He... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 14:4
Let us make a captain - Here was a formal renunciation of the authority of Moses, and flat rebellion against God. And it seems from Nehemiah 9:17 ; that they had actually appointed another leader, under whose direction they were about to return to Egypt. How astonishing is this! Their lives were made bitter, because of the rigor with which they were made to serve in the land of Egypt; and yet they are willing, yea eager, to get back into the same circumstances again! Great evils, when once... read more