Numbers 14:5-10

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 14:6

And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh ,.... Rose up and interposed in this affair, looking upon themselves under a special obligation so to do, as they were capable of confronting the other spies, and contradicting what they had said: which were of them that searched the land ; they were two of that number, and were the more concerned to hear such a false account given, and distressed to observe the mutiny of the people, and therefore judged themselves in duty bound... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 14:7

And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel ,.... To as many as could hear them, to the heads of them: saying, the land which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land ; they observe that they were of the number of the spies that were appointed and sent to search the land of Canaan, and they had searched it, and therefore could give an account of it from their own knowledge; and they had not only entered into it, or just looked at a part of it, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 14:8

If the Lord delight in us ,.... Continue to delight in them as he had, and as appears by what he had done for, them in Egypt, at the Red sea, and in the wilderness; see Deuteronomy 10:15 , then he will bring us into this land, and give it us , as he has promised: a land which floweth with milk and honey ; as the Lord himself hath described it, and as the unbelieving spies themselves had owned it; Numbers 13:27 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 14:9

Only rebel not ye against the Lord ,.... Nothing, it is suggested, could hinder them from the, possession of it but their rebellion against the Lord; which might provoke him to cut them off by his immediate hand, or to deliver them into the hands of their enemies; for rebellion is a dreadful sin, and highly provoking, 1 Samuel 15:23 , neither fear ye the people the land ; on account of their number, strength, the walled cities they dwell in; they had nothing to fear from them, so be it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 14:10

But all the congregation bade stone them with stones ,.... Namely, Joshua and Caleb, who had made such a faithful report of the good land, and had delivered such an animating and encouraging speech to the people. This is not to be understood of the body of the people, and of all the individuals thereof, for who then should they bid to stone Joshua and Caleb? unless the sense is, that they stirred up and animated one another to it; but rather it means the princes and heads of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 14:6

And Joshua, etc. - See on Numbers 13:33 ; (note). read more

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

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