39 And Moses H4872 told H1696 these sayings H1697 unto all the children H1121 of Israel: H3478 and the people H5971 mourned H56 greatly. H3966
40 And they rose up early H7925 in the morning, H1242 and gat them up H5927 into the top H7218 of the mountain, H2022 saying, H559 Lo, H2009 we be here, and will go up H5927 unto the place H4725 which the LORD H3068 hath promised: H559 for we have sinned. H2398
41 And Moses H4872 said, H559 Wherefore now do ye transgress H5674 the commandment H6310 of the LORD? H3068 but it shall not prosper. H6743
42 Go not up, H5927 for the LORD H3068 is not among H7130 you; that ye be not smitten H5062 before H6440 your enemies. H341
43 For the Amalekites H6003 and the Canaanites H3669 are there before H6440 you, and ye shall fall H5307 by the sword: H2719 because ye are turned H7725 away H310 from the LORD, H3068 therefore the LORD H3068 will not be with you.
44 But they presumed H6075 to go up H5927 unto the hill H2022 top: H7218 nevertheless the ark H727 of the covenant H1285 of the LORD, H3068 and Moses, H4872 departed H4185 not out H7130 of the camp. H4264
45 Then the Amalekites H6003 came down, H3381 and the Canaanites H3669 which dwelt H3427 in that hill, H2022 and smote H5221 them, and discomfited H3807 them, even unto Hormah. H2767
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Numbers 14
Commentary on Numbers 14 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 14
This chapter gives us an account of that fatal quarrel between God and Israel upon which, for their murmuring and unbelief, he swore in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest. Here is,
Num 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 spies, it should seem, wilfully designed to raise this mutiny, purely in opposition to Moses and Aaron, though they could not propose any advantage to themselves by it, unless they hoped to be captains and commanders of the retreat into Egypt they were now meditating. But what came of it? Here in these verses we find those whom they studied to humour put into a vexation, and, before the end of the chapter, brought to ruin. Observe,
Num 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.
Num 14:11-19
Here is,
Num 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 (v. 20-25), and then directed to be made public to the people, v. 26-35. The frequent repetitions of the same things in it speak these resolves to be unalterable. Let us see the particulars.
Num 14:36-45
Here is,