Numbers 14

The people murmur against Moseh and Aaron, verse 1, etc. What Moseh, Aaron, Caleb and Joshua did to appease the people 5. What did ensue thereupon, in regard as well of the people remaining obstinate in their rebellion, as of God, threatning to destroy them, 10. Moseh interceedeth for them. 13. God heareth him, 20. yet with condition that the murmurers should not enter into the Land of Canaan, commanding them to turn back into the wilderness. 21. A further forth of this jugdement upon the murmurers, shewing their age, and excepting these which were to be free of this punishment, 35. Together with the relation of them, which would not return, but go on forth with to invade and take possession of the land of Canaan, 39.

1. Then all the Congregation raised themselves, and lifted up their voice: [Hebrew then all the Congregation raised, and gave their voice] and the people wept in that night.

2. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moseh, and against Aaron: [And consequently against God himself, whose Ministers they were] and the whole Congregation said to him; O that we had died in the Land of Egypt, or, O that we had died in this wilderness!

3. And wherefore doth God bring us to that Land, [They seem to charge God with unadvisedness, as if he had not considered, what he had undertaken; with unfaithfulness, as if he had no mind or intent to perform what he promised; or, with weakness and insufficiency, as if he were not able to effect it] that we fall by the sword [see Levit. 26. On verse 7.] (and) our wives, and our little ones become a prey? [viz. to our enemies the Canaanites] should it not be good for us to return to Egypt?

4. And they said the one to the other; [Hebrew the man to his brother] Let us cast up [Hebrew set put, make] a Head, and return to Egypt.

5. Then Moses and Aaron fell upon their faces, before the face of the whole assembly of the Congregation of the children of Israel. [viz. for to pray and entreat the people, to desist from their evil purpose and designs of returning into Egypt: or for to call upon God, as well in the peoples behalf, that he would convert them, as in their own, that he would preserve and rescue them, from the imminent danger.]

6. And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunne, being of those, which had spied that Land, rent their garments. [Of rending their clothes in time of great trouble and distress, see Genesis 37. On verse 29.]

7. And they spake to the whole Congregation of the children of Israel, saying; The Land through which we went, to spy the same, is an exceeding good Land. [Hebrew. very, wise Genesis.17.v.2,6 .20. and Ezech.16.13.]

8. If the LORD take pleasure in us, [i.e. if we do not turn away Gods favourableness from us by our wicked and rebellious courses: see the beginning of the next verse] he shall bring us into that Land, and shall give us the same; a Land that floweth with milk and honey.

9. Onely be not rebellious against the LORD, and fear not ye the people of this Land, for they are bread to us: [i.e. they shall be as easily subdued by us, as bread is chewed in a sound mans mouth, and consumed in his stomach. Compare, Deut.31.on v.17.] their shadow, i.e. their defense and protection. See Psalms 91:1. Isa.25.4. Jer.48.45, etc.] is withdrawn from them, and the LORD is with us, [viz. with his fatherly grace and favour, watchful providence, and powerful assistance. See Genesis 21. on verse 22. and chapter 26. on v. 24.] fear them not.

10. Then all the Congregation said, they ought to be stoned with stones: but the glory the LORD appeared in the Tent of the Congregation, before all the children of Israel. [viz. by the outward token of the Cloud, wherein God used to appear now and then unto the Israelites in a very glorious manner, Exodus 16:7. 10. and chapter 24.15, 16. and chapter 40.34. and Lev.9.on v. 6. 2 Chron.5 14.]

11. And the LORD said to Moseh; How long shall that people provoked me? And how long will they not believe on me through all the tokens, which I did in the Middest of them? [i.e. will they never trust and rely on me, and leave quite unregarded those manifold and wonderful works, which through my power and goodness I have from time to time, wrought so abundantly among them.]

12. I will smite them with pestilence, and I will cast them off: [Understand this, not as a full Decree and Determination, but as a conditional threatening, which the LORD was present to present to Moseh, to kindle his zeal, and stir up his intercession for the peoples welfare; in so much, that these words do not betoken what God determined by his unalterable Decree, but onely what punishments the Israelites had well deserved] and I will make thee a great and stronger people then this is.

13. And Moseh said to the LORD: Then the Egyptians shall hear it; [The Arguments which Moseh maketh use of his intercession for the people are three: The first is taken from the enemies of God and his people, who would reproach Gods honour, if he should destroy his people; in this verse and the following, 14.15, 16. The second, from the Nature and gracious Covenant of God, verse 17, 18. The third, from the former mercies, and examples of Gods special favour, so frequently exhibited to this people, verse 19.] for through thy power didst thou cause this people to march forth out of the midst of them:

14. And they shall say to the Inhabitants of this land, (who) [This word is inserted here out of the next verse] heard, that LORD art in the midst of this people: that thou LORD art seen eye to eye: [i.e. most apparently, manifestly and familiarly. Compare Genesis 32. On v.30. Exod.33.on v.11. above chapter.12. on v.8. Deut.5.on v. 4. 1 Kings 22. On v.19.] that thy cloud stands over them, and thou goest before their face in a cloud-pillar by day, and in a fire-pillar by night?

15. And if thou shouldest put this people to death as a single man, [i.e. all the people, as if they were but one man. So Jud.6 16.] then would the heathen, which heard thy fame, [Hebrew hearing] speak saying:

16. Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into that land, which he had sworn to them, therefore did he slay them in the wilderness.

17. Now then let the power of the LORD wax great (I pray;) [by joining his Mercy to his justice] according as thou hast spoken, saying;

18. The Lord is long-suffering [Hebrew long of wrathfulness, see Exodus, 34. On verse 6.] and great of bounty, (or Bounteousness, beneficence,) forgiving the iniquity and transgression, holding (the Guilty) in on wise guiltless, [unto the mercy of God, his Justice likewise is added, they being inseparably in him: which regard Moseh doth not simply desire and beg for mercy here, but so, as that the Justine of God, should likewise have some place; and onely that in judging and punishing of his people, he would remember Mercy. See Exod.34.7. Jer.30.11. Nah.1.3.] visiting the iniquity of the Fathers on the children [see Genesis.21. on v.1. and Exodus 20:5.] in the third and in the fourth (generation.) [Hebrew on the third and on the fourth. (in the plural super tertios etc super quartos) to wit, descendents, or off-springs from the stock.]

19. Forgive (I Pray) the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of thy tenderness: and according as thou hast forgiven the same unto this people, from the Land of Egypt hitherto.

20. And the LORD, said; I have forgiven them according to thy word.

21. Yet assuredly (as true as I Live:) all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD. [Understand the Justice and power of the LORD, Which should be made known throughout all the earth before all men.]

22. For all the men, which saw my glory and my tokens, which I did in Egypt, and in the wilderness; and have tempted me ten times now, [i.e. oft times; a certain number for an uncertain. See Genesis 31. On v.7. and Lev. 26.on v.8. and were not obedient to my voice.

23. If they shall see the Land, which I sware unto their Fathers, [i.e. they shall never see it, as the following words of this verse do plainly declare: understand therefore hereupon to perfect the sense, then I shall not live, or, the like. For here God is introduced speaking after the manner of men, it being usual among the Hebrews, when they took an oath to conceal the issue or imprecation, in case of swearing falsely. Compare Genesis 41. On verse 23. The like kind of swearing is likewise attributed to God elsewhere, as below, v 28. and 35. and chapter 32. Verse 11. 12. Deuteronomy, 1. 35. 2 Kings 9:26. Psalms 89:36.] Nay, none that provoked me shall see the same.

24. Yet my servant Caleb, [Joshua is not named here, God pronouncing this sentence over the people, that were in the Camp, where Caleb had his abode, but Joshua was with Moseh and Aaron, at the Tent of the Congregation; therefore also he is not reckoned nor sentenced with the people, which was in the Camp (Wherefore also he is expressly named afterwards, v.30.) and thus Moseh and Aaron likewise are excepted, having not sinned with the people; although for another particular default related below, chapter 20. V.12. they likewise died without entering into the land of Canaan] because there was another spirit with him, and he held on to follow after me: [Hebrew and hath fulfilled (to go) after me, i.e. he hath showed his obedience constantly, faithly, and with an upright heart. So Deuteronomy, 1. 36. And 1 Kings 11:6.] therefore shall I bring him to the Land, into which he was come, and his seed shall hereditarily possess it.

25. The Amalekites now, and the Canaanites dwell in that vale: [viz. on the other side of that mountain, in the bottom. Hereby the Israelites were warned of the danger of advancing further, they being come to the Borders of their Enemies, who stood upon their guard against them, and whom they should not be able to subdue, God going not along with them: See below, v.43.] turn your selves tomorrow, and take your journey toward the wilderness, on the way to the Reed-Sea. [Understand the red-sea, called thus, by reason of the abundance of Reeds and Bul-rushes, which grew in and especially about, or at the shore of it. See further of this sea below, Chapter. 21. v.4. Psalms 106:7, 19.22. and 136.13. Hebrew of the reed-sea.]

26. After that, the lord spake to Moseh and to Aaron, saying:

27. How long shall (I) be with this evil Congregation, which are murmuring against me? [See the like expressions, Matth.17.17. otherwise, how long shall I (for bear, or forgive) this evil congregation, which are, etc. or, how long shall I hear this evil congregation, which is murmuring of the children of Israel, whereby they, etc.?] I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they are murmuring against me.

28. Saying unto them; (As true as) I live, saith the LORD, if I do not unto you, [See above, on verse 23.] as ye have spoken in my ears: [What they spake when they murmured. See above, verse 2.]

29. Your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and all your numbered (ones,) [Of whom see above, chapter 1. Verse 1, 2, &c.] according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upwards, ye that murmured against me;

30. If ye come into that Land, over which lifted up my hand; [The manner of sweating used among men calling God to witness, by lifting up their hand, is attributed to God here, by the usual phrase among men, of this manner of sweating, see Genesis 14 on v22.] that I would cause you to dwell therein, except Caleb the son of Jephunne, and Joshua the son of Nun.

31. And your little ones, of whom ye said; They shall become a prey, them I will bring therein, and they shall know that Land, which ye reproachfully have rejected.

32. But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in the wilderness.

33. And your children shall go feeding etc. The Hebrew word implieth, to be shepherds, or, to remove to and fro with the flock, to find out good Pasture; whereby is understood any uncertain and unsettled kind of life here on earth. Compare Isa.38.12.] fourty year, [counting from the time of their coming forth out of Egypt, as it appeareth below, chapter,33.38. and Deuteronomy, 1.3. and chapter 2.14.] and shall bear your whoredomes: [i.e. the punishments due to your manifold spiritual whoredomes, and revolts; spiritual whoredome is Idolatry, whereof see Exodus, 34.15, 16. and Howbeit, those children suffered the punishment of their parents, wandering so many years in the wilderness, yet was not God unjust, they having likewise committed, and committing manifold sins deserving punishment.] until your dead bodies shall be consumed in this wilderness.

34. According to the number of thy days, in which ye spyed that land, fourty days; each day for each year shall ye bear your iniquities, [i.e. the punishments of them, see Genesis.4.on.v.13.] fourty year: [the time since their departure out of Egypt, being comprehended in the number; see above verse 33.] and shall perceive (or, be sensible of) my breach. [this may be understood in respect of God, who, by reason of their continual rebellion would separate himself from among them; or, in regard of the people, deserving this punishment by their withdrawing from God.]

35. I the LORD have spoken; if I do not this [See above on v. 23.] to all this evil Congregation of them which gathered themselves against me! They shall be reduced to nothing in this wildernesses, and shall die there.

36. And those men whom God sent, for to spy out that land; and, being returned did cause all the Congregation to murmur against him, bringing forth a bad report over that land;

37. Those very men, that had brought forth a bad report of that Land, died [Others, shall die] by a Plague: [some do understand this plague of the pestilence threatened above, verse 12. Others, of a hasty and sudden death, by comparing their case with that of Joshua and Caleb, who are said to have remained alive, in the very next verse] before the face of the LORD. [that is to say; God hath executed his judgement upon them in a very remarkable manner, as if for that end and purpose he had been visibly sitting in the seat of judgement against them.]

38. But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunne remained alive of the men that were gone to spy out the land.

39. And Moseh spake these words to all the children of Israel: Then the people mourned greatly.

40. And they rose up early in the morning, and got up on the top [Hebrew head] of the mount, saying; behold, here we are, and we will march up to the place, which the LORD said; for we have sinned. [this was no true sorrow for, nor confession of their sins; they cannot be said truly to repent, who ceasing from one kind of evil, fall to the committing of another, as these Israelites here did: for they ceased indeed to murmur against the LORD, but immediately resolve to go on and invade the Land of Canaan, against the express command of God.]

41. But Moseh said; Why transgress ye thus the command of the LORD? [Hebrew the mouth of the LORD, i.e. Gods express command, whereof see above, v.25.] for that shall have no success.

42. Do not go up; for the LORD shall not be in the midst of you [viz.with his favourable help and assistance,] left ye be smitten before the face of your Enemies.

43. For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before your face, and ye shall fall by the sword: for because ye have turned your selves away from the LORD, therefore the LORD shall not be with you.

44. Nevertheless, they starve presumptuously, [The Hebrew verb here used doth properly signify to rush upon a business with a great deal of ill grounded daring and impetuosity, especially striving to get upward] for to get up to the top of the hill: but the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD, and Moseh, departed not out of the midst of the camp.

45. Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites, which dwelt in that mountain, and smote them, and defeated them (down) to Herma. [The name of a place afterwards so called by reason of this defeat. See Numbers, 21. Verse 3.]