Numbers 14:1-45

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 14:1-4

Here we see what mischief the evil spies made by their unfair representation. We may suppose that these twelve that were impanelled to enquire concerning Canaan had talked it over among themselves before they brought in their report in public; and Caleb and Joshua, it is likely, had done their utmost to bring the rest over to be of their mind, and if they would but have agreed that Caleb, according to his pose, should have spoken for them all, as their foreman, all had been well; but the evil... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 14:5-10

The friends of Israel here interpose to save them if possible from ruining themselves, but in vain. The physicians of their state would have healed them, but they would not be healed; their watchmen gave them warning, but they would not take warning, and so their blood is upon their own heads. I. The best endeavours were used to still the tumult, and, if now at last they would have understood the things that belonged to their peace, all the following mischief would have been prevented. 1.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 14:11-19

Here is, I. The righteous sentence which God gave against Israel for their murmuring and unbelief, which, though afterwards mitigated, showed what was the desert of their sin and the demand of injured justice, and what would have been done if Moses had not interposed. When the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle we may suppose that Moses took it for a call to him immediately to come and attend there, as before the tabernacle was erected he went up to the mount in a similar case, Exod.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 14:20-35

We have here God's answer to the prayer of Moses, which sings both of mercy and judgment. It is given privately to Moses (Num. 14:20-25), and then directed to be made public to the people, Num. 14:26-35. The frequent repetitions of the same things in it speak these resolves to be unalterable. Let us see the particulars. I. The extremity of the sentence is receded from (Num. 14:20): ?I have pardoned, so as not to cut them all off at once, and disinherit them.? See the power of prayer, and the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 14:36-45

Here is, I. The sudden death of the ten evil spies. While the sentence was passing upon the people, before it was published, they died of the plague before the Lord, Num. 14:36, 37. Now, 1. God hereby showed his particular displeasure against those who sinned and made Israel to sin. (1.) They sinned themselves, in bringing up a slander upon the land of promise. Note, Those greatly provoke God who misrepresent religion, cast reproach upon it, and raise prejudices in men's minds against it, or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 14:1

And all the congregation lifted up their voice and cried ,.... This is not to be understood of every individual in the congregation of Israel, but of the princes, heads, and elders of the people that were with Moses and Aaron when the report of the spies was made; though indeed the report might quickly spread throughout the body of the people, and occasion a general outcry, which was very loud and clamorous, and attended with all the signs of distress imaginable, in shrieks and tears and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 14:2

And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses, and against Aaron ,.... They being the instruments of bringing them out of Egypt, and conducting them hither: and the whole congregation said unto them ; some of them, the rest assenting to it by their cries and tears and gestures: would God we had died in the land of Egypt ; and then what they left behind they thought might have come into the hands of their children or relations; but now they concluded it would become a prey to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 14:3

Wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land ,.... Unto the borders of it: their murmuring did not cease at Moses and Aaron, the instruments, but proceeded against God himself, who had done such wonderful things for them, not only in bringing them out of Egypt, but since they had been in the wilderness; and yet so ungrateful to complain of him and argue with him about favours bestowed on them, as if they were injuries done to them; and particularly as if God had no other intention in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 14:4

And they said one to another, let us make a captain ,.... An head over them instead of Moses, who they knew would never take the government and care of them, should they resolve to return to Egypt as they proposed, and besides were now so disaffected to him, that they might not care he should. Captains they had over their several tribes, but they chose to have one chief commander and general over them all; Nehemiah says they did appoint one; which they either actually did, or this proposal... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 14:5

Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces ,.... Through shame and confusion of face for them, at hearing so shocking a proposal made, and such wretched ingratitude expressed; they blushed at it, and were in the utmost distress on account of it, and therefore threw themselves into this posture; or it may be this was done either to beg of them that they would lay aside all thoughts of this kind, or to supplicate the divine Majesty that he would convince them of their sin and folly, and give... read more

Group of Brands