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Numbers 14:12

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Numbers 14:12 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

I will strike them with a plague and destroy them—and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they are.”

King James Version KJV

I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.

American Standard Version ASV

I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a nation greater and mightier than they.

Bible in Basic English BBE

I will send disease on them for their destruction, and take away their heritage, and I will make of you a nation greater and stronger than they.

Free Bible Version FBV

I'm going to make them sick with a disease and kill them. Then I will make you into a nation that's greater and stronger than they are.”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

I will smite them with the pestilence and destroy them, and will make thee a greater nation and mightier then they.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

I smite it with pestilence, and dispossess it, and make thee become a nation greater and mightier than it.'

World English Bible WEB

I will strike them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

I will strike them therefore with pestilence, and will consume them: but thee I will make a ruler over a great nation, and a mightier than this is.

Translation for Translators T4T

So I will cause a ◄plague/widespread sickness► to strike them and get rid of them. But I will cause your descendants to become a great nation. They will be a nation that is much greater and stronger than these people are.”

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 14:12

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Numbers 14:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB אַכֶּ֥/נּוּ בַ/דֶּ֖בֶר וְ/אוֹרִשֶׁ֑/נּוּ וְ/אֶֽעֱשֶׂה֙ אֹֽתְ/ךָ֔ לְ/גוֹי גָּד֥וֹל וְ/עָצ֖וּם מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ
אַכֶּ֥/נּוּ nâkâh H5221 to smite V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs | Suff
בַ/דֶּ֖בֶר deber H1698 pestilence Prep | N-ms
וְ/אוֹרִשֶׁ֑/נּוּ yârash H3423 to possess Conj | V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs | Suff
וְ/אֶֽעֱשֶׂה֙ ʻâsâh H6213 to make Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
אֹֽתְ/ךָ֔ ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM | Suff
לְ/גוֹי gôwy H1471 Gentile Prep | N-ms
גָּד֥וֹל gâdôwl H1419 Great (Sea) Adj
וְ/עָצ֖וּם ʻâtsûwm H6099 mighty Conj | Adj
מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ min H4480 from Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 14:12

אַכֶּ֥/נּוּ nâkâh H5221 "to smite" V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
בַ/דֶּ֖בֶר deber H1698 "pestilence" Prep | N-ms
A plague or pestilence, like a disease that affects people or animals, as seen in Exodus 9:3 where God sends a pestilence on the Egyptians.
Definition: 1) pestilence, plague 2) murrain, cattle disease, cattle-plague
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: murrain, pestilence, plague. See also: Exodus 5:3; Jeremiah 28:8; Psalms 78:50.
וְ/אוֹרִשֶׁ֑/נּוּ yârash H3423 "to possess" Conj | V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs | Suff
To possess means to take control of something, like a piece of land, by driving out others and occupying it. This word is used in the Bible to describe inheriting property or seizing power.
Definition: : possess/inherit 1) to seize, dispossess, take possession off, inherit, disinherit, occupy, impoverish, be an heir 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take possession of 1a2) to inherit 1a3) to impoverish, come to poverty, be poor 1b) (Niphal) to be dispossessed, be impoverished, come to poverty 1c) (Piel) to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to possess or inherit 1d2) to cause others to possess or inherit 1d3) to impoverish 1d4) to dispossess 1d5) to destroy, bring to ruin, disinherit
Usage: Occurs in 204 OT verses. KJV: cast out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess, drive(-ing) out, enjoy, expel, [idiom] without fail, (give to, leave for) inherit(-ance, -or) [phrase] magistrate, be (make) poor, come to poverty, (give to, make to) possess, get (have) in (take) possession, seize upon, succeed, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 15:3; Joshua 15:63; Psalms 25:13.
וְ/אֶֽעֱשֶׂה֙ ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אֹֽתְ/ךָ֔ ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
לְ/גוֹי gôwy H1471 "Gentile" Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Definition: 1) nation, people 1a) nation, people 1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people 1a2) of descendants of Abraham 1a3) of Israel 1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.) 1c) Goyim? = "nations" Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people. See also: Genesis 10:5; Judges 4:16; Psalms 2:1.
גָּד֥וֹל gâdôwl H1419 "Great (Sea)" Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
וְ/עָצ֖וּם ʻâtsûwm H6099 "mighty" Conj | Adj
This word means mighty or powerful, often describing something as strong or numerous. It is used in the Bible to describe God's power and strength.
Definition: 1) mighty, vast, numerous 1a) mighty, strong (in number) 1b) numerous, countless
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] feeble, great, mighty, must, strong. See also: Genesis 18:18; Proverbs 7:26; Psalms 10:10.
מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ min H4480 "from" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.

Study Notes — Numbers 14:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Exodus 32:10 Now leave Me alone, so that My anger may burn against them and consume them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”
2 Numbers 25:9 but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.
3 2 Samuel 24:12–15 “Go and tell David that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am offering you three options. Choose one of them, and I will carry it out against you.’” So Gad went and said to David, “Do you choose to endure three years of famine in your land, three months of fleeing the pursuit of your enemies, or three days of plague upon your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should reply to Him who sent me.” David answered Gad, “I am deeply distressed. Please, let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.” So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died.
4 2 Samuel 24:1 Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”
5 Numbers 16:46–49 Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.” So Aaron took the censer as Moses had ordered and ran into the midst of the assembly. And seeing that the plague had begun among the people, he offered the incense and made atonement for the people. He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague was halted. But those who died from the plague numbered 14,700, in addition to those who had died on account of Korah.
6 Exodus 5:3 “The God of the Hebrews has met with us,” they answered. “Please let us go on a three-day journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD our God, or He may strike us with plagues or with the sword.”

Numbers 14:12 Summary

[In Numbers 14:12, God says He will punish the Israelites for their disobedience, but He also wants to bless Moses and make him the start of a new, greater nation. This shows that God is both just and merciful, as seen in other verses like Exodus 34:6-7, which describe God's character. God wants us to trust and obey Him, and when we do, He promises to bless us and make us part of something new and greater, as mentioned in Revelation 21:5. This verse reminds us that our choices have consequences, but God's love and mercy are always available to us, as seen in John 3:16.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for God to 'strike them with a plague' in Numbers 14:12?

This phrase refers to God's judgment on the Israelites for their disobedience and lack of faith, as seen in other instances like Exodus 32:35 and Leviticus 26:25, where God's people faced consequences for their actions.

Why did God want to make Moses into a nation greater and mightier than the current Israelites?

God's desire was to start anew with a faithful leader, Moses, because the current generation of Israelites had consistently shown a lack of faith, as mentioned in Numbers 14:11, and as seen in other instances like Genesis 12:2 where God makes similar promises to Abraham.

Is this verse talking about God being angry with the Israelites?

Yes, God's statement in Numbers 14:12 reflects His disappointment and frustration with the Israelites' persistent unbelief, which is also seen in verses like Psalm 95:10-11, where God swears that the unbelieving generation will not enter His rest.

How does this verse relate to the concept of God's mercy and love?

Although God's judgment is evident in Numbers 14:12, His mercy and love are also demonstrated through His desire to preserve and bless a remnant, as seen in Moses' subsequent intercession in Numbers 14:13-14, and in verses like Romans 9:15, which reminds us that God has the right to show mercy to whom He wills.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I, like the Israelites, may be disobeying or lacking faith in God's promises, and how can I turn back to Him?
  2. How does God's desire to make Moses into a new nation relate to the concept of being a 'new creation' in Christ, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:17?
  3. In what ways can I, like Moses, intercede for others who may be facing God's judgment, and how can I demonstrate God's love and mercy to them?
  4. What does this verse teach me about the importance of faith and trust in God's plans, and how can I apply this to my own life, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 14:12

I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them,.... Deprive them of inhabiting the land; so as many as died of the pestilence were even all the spies who brought an evil report of the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 14:12

And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 14:12

This was not an absolute determination, as the event showed, but only a condition, like that of Nineveh’ s destruction within forty days, with a condition implied, except there be speedy repentance, or powerful intercession.

Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 14:12

Numbers 14:12 I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.Ver. 12. And I will make of thee a greater nation.] Here God offered Moses a private fortune, which he prudently refuseth, because God should be a loser by it. And surely, saith a divine, as God was displeased with Balsam for going, though he bade him go: so the Lord would not have taken it so kindly of Moses if he had taken him upon the offer he made in a time of his heat, against his people.

Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 14:12

(12) And will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.—A similar promise had been given to Moses on occasion of the rebellion at Sinai, and Moses on that occasion interceded with God on behalf of His people in like manner as at this time (Exodus 32:10-12).

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 14:12

12. make of thee a nation] Moses would be a second Abraham, the whole nation being descended from him.

Barnes' Notes on Numbers 14:12

And disinherit them - By the proposed extinction of Israel the blessings of the covenant would revert to their original donor.

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 14:12

12. The pestilence — Greek, death, violent and sudden. See Numbers 14:15. Thus in Leviticus 26:25; Deuteronomy 28:21. Comp. Revelation 2:23; Revelation 6:8. Disinherit them — Annul their adoption into sonship. Exodus 4:22.

Sermons on Numbers 14:12

SermonDescription
Zac Poonen The Testing of Moses by Zac Poonen Zac Poonen preaches on how God tested Moses twice to see if he would seek his own honor at the expense of the Israelites, and how Moses passed the test with flying colors both time
Zac Poonen Moses Manifested the Spirit of Christ by Zac Poonen Zac Poonen emphasizes the testing of Moses by God, particularly in the construction of the tabernacle and in moments of potential self-promotion at the expense of the Israelites. M
Leonard Ravenhill Jacob Meeting God by Leonard Ravenhill This sermon emphasizes the importance of persistent prayer and wrestling with God in prayer, drawing inspiration from the stories of Jacob wrestling with the angel and Moses interc
Hans R. Waldvogel They That Love the Lord Shall Be as the Sun by Hans R. Waldvogel In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the simplicity and power of the Apostle Paul's teachings. He highlights Paul's focus on dying to oneself and being united with Jesus Christ.
Roy Hession The Ark of the Covenant: Crossing Jordan Part Ii by Roy Hession In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the journey of the Israelites as they finally reach the promised land after 40 years of discipline. However, they face a great obstacle in t
Charles Leiter The Wrath of God by Charles Leiter In this sermon, the preacher discusses the present course of the world as a downward spiral towards hell. He emphasizes that people become increasingly blind and deceived as they c
Hans R. Waldvogel The Characteristics of an Uttermost Salvation by Hans R. Waldvogel In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing the corruption within oneself and the need for salvation through Jesus Christ. He criticizes the education sys
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