Numbers 14

from the Canaanites, was with them, to aid and assist them in the conquest of the country: and for both these reasons they needed not to fear them. So they conclude their speech, like men of an undaunted spirit, in these.words; fear them not. forgiving iniquity, &c] In these very words (though something more largely) God proclaimed his name to Moses; when he shewed him his glory, Exod. xxxiv. G,7. where they nre explained. And by no means clearing the guilty.] Even these words (according to the interpretation I have there given of them) are a plain argument to move the Divine goodness to pardon their sin. But the next word3 [visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, be] seem to be directly contrary to the intention of his petition, till it be considered, that they had not now committed idolatry, against which sin, God, in these words, particularly declares his severity; and that Moses did not now plead for an absolute pardon without any punishment at all, but only that he would not destroy the whole nation as one man, and utterly disinherit them, as he seemed resolved to do, (ver. 12. 15.) This threatening he hoped his gracious nature would incline him to revoke; notwithstanding which ho might visit the sin of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation; that is, punish them and their posterity a long time. And so this latter part of the verse is to be interpreted, (according to what I observed, Exod. xxxiv. 7.) in making desolate he will not make quite desolate, though he visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, &c. the land of promise as well as Caleb, with whom he joined in opposing the mutinous multitude, (ver. 6.) where he is named first in that heroic action. Because he had another spirit with him.] Was otherways affected (as we now speak), trusting in the power and promise of God, and not at all afraid of the strength of their enemies. And hath followed me fully.] The Hebrew phrase is, hath fulfilled after me; i.e. completed his obedience to me; or fulfilled my will and commands in every thing: being not only full of courage himself, but endeavouring to put it into others, (Deut. i. 36.) Him will I bring into the land whereunto he went.] Into Canaan: particularly to Hebron, and the parts about it; which were bestowed upon him by the order of Moses himself, (Josh. xiv. 9. 13, &c f see chap. xiii. of this book, ver. 22.) And his seed shall jwssess it.] Or, as some translate it, sliall expel it; i. e. drive out the inhabitants of that place, and the parts adjacent, as we read he and his brother did, (Josh. xv. 13—15, &c.) their whoredoms; as idolatry is peculiarly called, (chap. xv. 39. Exod. xxxiv.15. Jerem. Hi. 14.) of which they had been guilty presently after they came out of Egypt, when they made tho golden calf and worshipped it; and continued other idolatrous practices, (Lev. xvii. 5. 7.) which God punishes now that he visits their present rebellion. For it was not that alone to which he threatens this punishment, but ho reckons with them for all the rest of their iniquities, (Deut. ix. 18. 24.) especially for the greatest of them all, which he declared he would not forget to punish upon any new occasion, (see Exod. xxxii. 34.) which they now gave him. It must be acknowledged, also, that other heinous sins are called by this name of whoredoms in Scripture, as well as idolatry, (Psalm lxxiii. 26.) See Mr. Selden, lib. iii. Uxor. Hebr. cap. 23. p. 489. Until your carcasses be wasted in the wilderness.] This is the third time he reflects upon their foolish -wish, (ver. 29.32.)

Numbers 14:1

JjLND all the congregation^ By all the congregation may be here meant, all the great men (for so the phrase sometimes signifies), except Caleb and Joshua, and,’ perhaps, some few others. Lifted up their voice, and cried.] Shrieked, and made 5 loud lamentations. 4A2 uigmzea uy microson <& [chap. XIV* And the people wept.’) Which put all the people into tears. That night.’] Which followed after the report made by the spies.

Numbers 14:2

And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses, and against Aaron. As they had frequently done before; but now in a more tumultuous manner. And the whole congregation said tinto them.] The great men spake in iho name of the whole body of the people* Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt!] In a fit of fury and despair, they quite forgot how miraculously God had brought them from thence; and consequently could as easily bring them into Canaan. Or, would God that we had died in this wilderness!] When several of their brethren were burnt, and smote with a very great plague, in this very wilderness of Paran, (chap. xi. 1. 33.) 9. Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness.] He repeats their own desire. And all that were numbered of you.] Which number was taken abont half a year ago; as we read in the first chapter of this book, (ver. 3. 18, &c.) According to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward.] Which amounted in all to six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty, (ver. 46.) besides the Levites, who were not numbered at this time, as we read in the next verse, 47. And when they were numbered, their number was not taken from twenty years old; but from a month old and upward, (chap. iii. 15.) And therefore, the Levites are not comprehended in the heavy sentence here denounced, no more than the children under twenty years old, or the wives of,the men that murmured; but only the men of war, who were above twenty years old. And accordingly we find Eleazar, who is mentioned at the numbering of the Levites, (chap. iii. 32.) alive at the dividing of the land of Canaan, (Josh. xiv. 1.)

Numbers 14:3

Wlierefore hath the Lord brought us into this land. Having vented their passion against God’s ministers, they most undutifully accuse him, as if he had dealt deceitfully with them. To fall by the sword.] Of the children of Anak, who they fancied were irresistible. TJiat our wives and children should be a prey.] To the people of Canaan, after all the men of Israel were killed. Were it not better for us to return into Egypt?] Their rage deprived them of the use of their reason.

Numbers 14:4

And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. They knew that Moses would not conduct them thither; and therefore they thought of choosing another leader. But, though they might in a raging fit speak of returning to Egypt, yet it is an amazing thing that they should continue in this madness, and deliberate about it; nay, actually appoint them a captain, as Nehemiah saith they did, chap. ix. 17. For how could they get thither without food? which they could not expect God would send them from heaven, when they had forsaken him. Or how could they hope to find their way, when his cloud, which directed them, was withdrawn from them? Or hope to deal with those that might oppose their passage, if they hit upon the right way? And after all, if they came into Egypt, what entertainment could they look for there, among a people, whose king, and princes, and first-born, had lately perished on their account? Nothing can be said in answer to these things, but that outrageous discontent will not suffer men to consider any thing, but that which grieves them; and that foul ingratitude and forgctfulncss of God’s benefits, throws them into such discontents.

Numbers 14:5

And Moses and Aaron fell on their faces. To deprecate God’s displeasure; which lately arose against them, upon a less occasion than this, (chap. xi. 33.) and they might justly fear would now destroy them all, for their incurable infidelity; as Josephus explains it. Before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.] Some fancy, that their falling down before them, was to beseech them to desist from their murmuring; and to trust in God, who would go before them, and fight for them;.as he saith he told them, Deut. i. 29, 30. But falling on their faces being the posture of the most humble supplicants to God, and not to men, (as all understand it in other places, particularly chap. xvi. 4. xx. 6.) their falling down before the assembly Signifies no more, but that in their presence Moses and Aaron humbled themselves deeply before the Divine Majesty; and prayed to him with the greatest earnestness to forgive them, and to bestow a better mind upon them. Which they did in their presence, to awaken them to consider the danger they were in by their heinous sin; that they themselves might cry to him for mercy. For the usual posture of prayer in that nation was standing; but in very great distress, and anxiety of mind, when they were exceeding solicitous to obtain their petition, they kneeled down, and sometimes fell on their faces; which was still a sign of greater ardour and concernment, as appears from our blessed Saviour, ■(Matt. xxvi. 39. Luke xxii. 41.)

Numbers 14:6

And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes. As the manner was, on any sad and doleful occasion; especially when they heard any man blaspheme the Divine Majesty; in detestation of the impiety, and to declare their sorrow, and indignation, and dread of God’s judgments; as appears from Jerem. xxxvi. 24. where the stupidity of Jehoiachim and his servants is represented by this, that when they heard the words which the prophet declared in God’s name against Judah, they were not afraid, nor rent their garments.

Numbers 14:7

And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying. This shewed great courage, that they durst declare their opinion, contrary to the sense of so great a multitude. The land which we passed through to search it is an exceeding good land.] This is opposed to what their fellows had said, that it was a land which ate up its inhabitants, (chap. xiii. 32.) Quite contrary they assure them it was very, very good, as the words are in the Hebrew; and so expressed by the Chaldee, and the LXX. exceeding, exceeding good: that is, every way desirable; for thus the Hebrews express the superlative degree.

Numbers 14:8

If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us. If we do not forfeit his favour, he will make us so happy, as to drive out the Canaanites, and settle us in the possession of this land. A land which jloweth with milk and honey.] As their companions themselves had confessed, (chap. xiii. 37.)

Numbers 14:9

Only rebel ye not against the Lord. By slighting his goodness, by murmuring, and discontented speeches, and talking of going back to Egypt, (ver. 2—4.) Neither fear ye the people of the land.] This is opposed to what the rest of the spies had said, concerning the mighty power and strength of the inhabitants of Canaan, (chap. xiii. 28, 29. 31, &c.) For they are bread for us.] We shall as easily vanquish them as we eat our meat. Tlieir defence is departed from them.] In the Hebrew the words are, their shadow; whereby men being defended from heat in those countries, it signifies the protection which God gives men from those things that might hurt them: which Divine protection, they tell the people, was now withdrawn from the Canaanites, who had filled up the measure of their iniquities, (Gen. xv. 16.) and now were exposed as a prey to the Israelites. And the Lord is with us.] For, on the contrary, they entreat the people to consider that God, who was departed

Numbers 14:10

But all the congregation. The Hebrew words col ha edah, as I observed, ver. 1. signifies all the great tnen; the rulers of the rest. Bade stone them with stones.’] Ordered the people to stone them to death; as they had done, it is likely, if they had not been deteff ed from the attempt by the appearance of the Divine Majesty. For the Hebrew word amar (as Maimonides observes in his More Nevochim, par. i. cap. 65.) is used, not only concerning that which is spoken or thought,‘but of what is decreed and resolved. And he produces these words as an instance of it, together withExod. ii. 14. 2Sam.xxi. 1G. And the glory of the Lord appeared.] The Schechinah which resided within the tabernacle, upon the mercy-seat, now openly appeared, in a bright flaming light, like fire: and, in all probability, after such an amazing manner, as terrified them from their design. Thus it appeared on Mouut Sinai, to fright them from approaching near unto it, Exod. xxiv. 17. (from whence Moses saith, the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, Dcut. iv. 24.) and thus it appeared afterward, Numb. xvi. 19. 42. In the tabernacle of the congregation.] Or rather upon the tabernacle (for in the tabernacle the people could not have seen it, as now they did), over the most holy place; which the cloud constantly covered, over tho mercy-seat, where the Divine Glory dwelt: (see chap. ix. 15.) Before all the children of Israel] Both to fright them, as I said, from their purpose of stoning Joshua and Caleb; and to shew his anger and displeasure at their rebellion, which, it is likely, appeared by the flashes that came from the glorious flame.

Numbers 14:11

And the Lord said unto Moses. In answer, I suppose, unto his prayer, (ver. 5.) How long will this people provoke me?] Shall I always bear with their most undutiful behaviour; which will provoke the greatest patience unto anger? How long will it be ere they believe me.] Dost thou not see that their unbelief is incurable? For all the signs which I have shewed unto them?] Since they continue in it, notwithstanding all the wonders I have done, to convince them of my power and faithfulness.

Numbers 14:12

I will smite them with the pestilence. Send a pestilential disease among them to sweep them away at once, as the fifteenth verse interprets it, (sec Exod. xxxii. 10.) • And disinherit them.] And so deprive them and theirs of the country which I promised to their fathers for an inheritance, (Gen. xv. 7.) This was not an irrevocable decree, but a threatening which God changed into another severe punishment. And will make of thee a greater nation, and mightier than they.] Fulfil my prpmisc to Abraham, by making thee the father of a more numerous people, and more powerful than they whom I reject.

Numbers 14:13

And Moses said unto the Lord, Then the Egyptians will hear it, (for thou broughtest up this people by thy might from among them.). It is an abrupt kind of speech, proceeding from the great disturbance which this threatening made in his mind; being as much as if he had said, If thou thus destroy them, the Egyptians, when they hear of it, will triumph; and thou wilt lose all the honour thou hast got, by the wonderful deliverance thou didst work for thy people from their bondage.

Numbers 14:14

And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. Or rather, they will say to the inhabitants of this land, i. e. the Canaanites, with whom the Egyptians had frequent commerce. For they have heard, &c] The word for is not in the Hebrew: and the sense will be more plain if we omit it, and translate the whole thus; They will say to the inhabitants of this land, they have heard that thou Lord art among this people: that is, that there was a glorious token of thy presence among us. ■ Tliat thou Lord art seen face: to face.] And spakestto us from Mount Sinai out of that glorious cloud, which there appeared unto all the people, (Exod. xix. 18. xx, 1. xxiv/ 16, 17. Deut. iv..l2.) And that thy cloud standeth over them.] Numb. x. 34. And that thou goest before them by day-time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.] Exod. xiii. 21.

Numbers 14:15

Now if thou shalt kill all this people. Or rather, but thou hast killed all this people. As one man.] On a sudden, with one stroke; as if they had all but one life. Tlien the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying.] Of which the nations that have heard the forenamed report of thy majesty will make this construction. Ver. 1G. Because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land.] Because he whom they called Omnipotent, was indeed defective in his power; which at last failed him, so that he could not complete what he had undertaken! Which he sware unto them.] Gen. xv. 17, 18. xxiv. 7. Therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.] Killed them all, before they came to the land he had solemnly promised to them; for that was an easier work than to make good his word. The sum of this argument is, that it would be a great disparagement to the Divine Majesty if he now destroyed this nation; because his enemies would conclude, he had deluded them with false promises, which he wanted power to effect.

Numbers 14:17

And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great. That is, let it appear to be unlimited,. by bringing them into the land which he sware to give them, (ver. 1G.) or by pardoning their sin, which had provoked his high displeasure against them, (ver. 11.) For by power may be meant either that which is properly called by that name, viz. his omnipotence, which can conquer all opposition; or his mercy and clemency, in overcoming his anger, and bearing with an ungrateful people: which agrees very well with what follows; but both tend to the same meaning, that he would not destroy them, but bestow the land of Canaan upon them according to his intentions. According as thou hast spoken.] Which will be suitable to thy blessed nature, which thou didst proclaim to me when thy glory passed by me, (seo Exod. xxxi. 22. xxxiv, 5, G.)

Numbers 14:18

Tlie Lord is long-sujfering, and of great mercy,

Numbers 14:19

Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people. So far as not to destroy them utterly. According to the greatness of thy mercy.] Which God himself had proclaimed, (ver. 18.) As thou hast forgiven this people from Egypt even until now.] This looks like an argument against them: for they having provoked him so often as they had done since they came out of Egypt, in the space of one year and little more, (see ver. 22.) and been as often forgiven, it might seem more reasonable that he should now punish them, and not forgive them any more. But he appeals to that long-suffering goodness which he mentions as the prime character of the Divine Nature, (ver. 18.) which, though it had been exercised by them many ways> yet he hoped would still bear longer with them.

Numbers 14:20

And the Lord said, I have pardoned, according to thy word. Granted thy desire, not. to destroy them utterly and altogether, (ver. 12. 15.)

Numbers 14:21

But as truly as Hive, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. In the Hebrew the words run plainly thus, As true as I live, and that all the earth shall be (or hath been) filled with the glory of the Lord. For so the Egyptians themselves confessed, (ver. 14.) that the fame of it was come to them; and afterward he did many more wonderful things when he brought them into Canaan: unto which (if these words be taken in the future tense) ho hath respect, when he saith, as true as that he would in a most glorious manner subdue the Canaanitcs, not one of these murmuring Israelites should come into that good land.

Numbers 14:22

Because all those men, &c. The sense would have been clear if we had left out the word because, as wo might have done, the Hebrew particle Id being sometimes only an expletive, or if we had translated it that, as it signifies in Gen. xxii. 17. and many other places. For the meaning plainly is, though the words be something intricate, that all the men of whom he is speaking should perish, and not one of them come into Canaan. Which-have setn my glory.] Which appeared to them in the cloud upon Mount Sinai, and resided in the tabernacle. And my miracles which 1 did in Egypt.] Mentioned in the fourth, seventh, eighth, and following chapters of the book of Exodus. And in the wilderness.] Where he divided the lied Sea for them to pass through on dryland, and gave them manna constantly from heaven, with water out of a rock, which followed them whithersoever they went, &c. And have tempted me now these ten times.] That is, very oft, as this phrase ten times signifies, (Gen. xxxi. 7. 41. Nehem. iv. 12. Job xix. 3.) But some of the Hebrews will not be satisfied with this explication, but endeavour to find out precisely just ten provocations of which they were guilty: though, to do this, they are forced to begin with one which fell out before they came to the Red Sea, (Exod. xiv. 11, 12.) and all the other nine they find in the wilderness. (See Pirke Avoth. cap. 5. and Paulus Fagins’s Scholia upon it; with Genebrard upon Psal. ixxviii. 4G.) Mr. Mede hath observed, that to tempt God, in Scripture language, is to provoke him by some presumptuous fact to anger; as it were, to try whether heVill punish or not; or, in fewer words, to dare God, (book i. Discourse 26. p. 153.) And the following words in the next verse justify this notion in this place. And have not hearkened to my voice.] This seems particularly to refer to their disobedience, when he bade them go tip, and possess the land of Canaan; notwithstanding, they would not go tip, but rebelled against the command* ment of the Lord their God, (Deut. i. 21. 2G, &c.) *

Numbers 14:23

Surely they shall not see the land, Sec. The Hebrew particle im, when it follows an oath, is to be simply translated not. And so the words run clearly here, they shall not see the land which Isware unto their fathers. Neither shall any of them that provoked me see it.] This is but an explication of the foregoing words, and might have been better translated, even all that provoked me (by their discontent and murmuring, &c. ver. 1 — 3.) they shall not seeit. This heavy doom was passed upon them on the ninth day of the month Ab (which answers to our July), as Moses Kotzensis reports the opinion of their doctors: on which day, they say, both the first and second temples were levelled with the ground; and Bitter, likewise, a great city, was taken on the same day, in which were many thousand Jews; who, with their king (as they called him), Ben Cosiba, and his whole army, were cut in pieces. And to make this day still more dismal, Turnus Bufus, one of the Boman captains, ploughed up the ground on which the temple and buildings about it stood upon this very day. (See Wagenseil upon Gemara Sotee, cap. 7. sect. 10; annot. 8.)

Numbers 14:24

But my servant Caleb. He alone is here particularly mentioned, because this is the first proof we read of his sincerity and resolution. But Joshua is as much concerned in this character and promise, whose faith and courage were tried, as soon as they came out of Egypt, by fighting with the Amalekites. And therefore there was no need to speak here of his integrity: though afterward it is expressly remembered, in the very same words used in this place concerning Caleb, (chap, xxxii. 12.) And here below in this chapter, (ver. 30.) he is assured of coming into

Numbers 14:25

Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley. These words being read without a parenthesis, in conjunction with those that follow, are very plain, being thus translated; both the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwell in the valley j that is, at present lie in wait for you at the bottom of the other side of the mountain. For they were not far from one another, (chap. xiii. 29.) and the Hebrews use the word jashah for any abode in any place, though it be not a settlement, but for a short time. (See ver. 45.) To-morrow turn yon.] Therefore, do not go forward, as I formerly commanded you, lest you fall into their ambushes; but face about, and return from whence you came, &c. This he bade them do to-morrow, i. e. hereafter; at their next removal: for they did remain some days in Kadesh before they turned about, (Deut. i. ult.) And so the word to-morrow is used in Exod. xiii. 14. for the time to come. And get you into the wilderness, by the way of the Red Sea.] Into that wilderness which led to the Red Sea, and so to Egypt, whither they desired to return, (ver. 3, 4.) This command was so grievous to them, that it set them, as I take it, into a new fit of murmuring: which is the occasion of what follows in the next verses, 26, 27.

Numbers 14:26

And the Lord spake unto Moses, and unto Aaron, saying. He now speaks unto Aaron, what he only spake to Moses before, (ver. 11.)

Numbers 14:27

How long shall I bear with this evil congregation. It is a short imperfect sort of speech in the Hebrew, such as men use when they are very angry; how long to this evil congregation, i. e. shall I shew mercy: which is the same with beartvith them, as we translate it, to supply the sense. Which murmur against me?] Whom nothing will please, unless they have their own will in every thing. I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.] This seems to signify that there was anew discontent; which, in all likelihood, arose, because God would not conduct them forward to Canaan; but bade them go back from whence they came: which order he tells them, in the following words, he would never revoke.

Numbers 14:28

Say unto them, As truly as Hive, saith the Lord. This oath made what he had resolved unalterable. As ye have spoken in mine ears.] See chap. v. 2. So will I do unto you.] Give you your own wishes, to die in the wilderness; which was exactly fulfilled, (chap. xxvi. 65.)

Numbers 14:30

Doubtless ye shall not come into the land. He would not have them retain the least hope of having this sentence reversed, being established by God’s oath. Concerning which I sware to make you dwell in.] Not to make these particular men, but the seed of Abraham inhabit it; as Grotius rightly observes, (lib. ii. de Jure Belli et Pacis, cap. 13. sect. 3.) The land was promised by oath, nonpersonis, sed populo, not to persons, but to the people; viz. to the posterity of those unto whom God sware to giv6 it, (ver. 23.) Now such a promise, as he observes, may be performed at any time, because it is not tied to certain persons. Save Caleb the son ofJephnnneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.] They are excepted, because they had distinguished themselves from the rest, by their eminent faith and courage^ in the midst of a perverse generation.

Numbers 14:31

But your little ones. All under twenty years old. IVIiich ye said should be a prey.] He upbraids them with their discontented and distrustful language, (ver. 3.) Them will I bring in, and they shall know the land.] That is, enjoy it. ■**. Which ye have despised.] See chap. xiii. 32. Ver. 32* But as for you, your carcasses, they shall fall in this wilderness.] lie repeats it again, to make them sensible of the certainty of it; and, in their own words, (ver. 2.) to humble and put them to confusion.

Numbers 14:33

And your children shall wander. So the Chaldeb interpret what in the Hebrew is shall feed, or graze, as sheep do in the deserts. Or rather, after the manner of the Arabian shepherds, who could not stay long in one place, but were forced to remove their tents to another, that they might find pasture for their flocks. So R. Solomon interprets it. Forty years.] Reckoning from their first coming out, of Egypt; from whence they were brought into the wilderness a. year, and a half ago; and now are condemned to make up their time of wrandering in it full forty years. And bear your whoredoms.] That is, the punishment of

Numbers 14:34

After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days. See chap. xiii. 25. (Each day for a year) shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years.] Reckoning the time past, since they came into the wilderness, which was a year and a half: so that the meaning is, they should wander forty years in the wilderness before they got out of it. Which is not to be understood so precisely as to want nothing at all of it: for they came out of Egypt on the fifteenth day of the first month, on the morrow after the Passover, (chap, xxxiii. 3.) and they came into Canaan and pitched in Gilgal, upon the tenth day of the first month of the one-and-fortieth year after their departure from Egypt; (Josh. iv. 19.) and, consequently, there wanted five days of full forty years. And ye shall know my breach of promise.] In the Hebrew the words are no more than these, ye shall know my breach: which the ancients understand of God’s breaking in upon them, to take vengeance of them for their sin. So the LXX. y’vuxnvSz top Svpbv tt\q bpyr$ /*ou, ye shall know the fury of my anger; and the Vulgar translates it, ultionem meam, my vengeance: that is, you shall find that I am tho avenger of iniquity. And it is the same, if we understand my breach to signify God’s departure from them, who had so shamefully departed from him. Or, according to our translation, it signifies, a revocation of the blessing promised to them: which was so nullified, that they were left without any hope of having the like promise of entering into Canaan Tenewed to them.

Numbers 14:35

I the Lord have said. Decreed and pronounced this sentence. I will surely do it to all this evil congregation.] Break from them; or break in upon them, to consume them, and utterly disinherit this untoward generation. That are gatltered together against me.] Whom they accused, as well as Moses and Aaron, (ver. 2, 3.) In tins wilderness they shall be consumed, and there shall they die.] The repetition cfthis so frequently (ver. 29. 32, 33.) was to convince them tho decree was peremptory and irreversible.

Numbers 14:36

And the men which Moses pent to search the land. That is, ten of them. Who returned.] See chap. xiii. 25, 26. And made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land.’] See chap. xiii. 31, 32. xiv. 2.

Numbers 14:37

Even those men, &o. died by the plague. Either by tho pestilence,.threatened ver. 12. or by lightning, or some other sudden death: about which there is a dispute among the Hebrew doctors, in the Gemara on Sota, cap. 7. sect. 11. where some of them say they died of a quinsy, which choked them; or, as others, their tongues swelled, and hung out of their mouths down to their navels, and were full of worms, &c. So that their punishment was, suitable to their sin (as they conclude); with their tongues they offended, and in their tongues they suffered. Before the £ord.] Whose glory appeared upon the tabernacle, before them all, (ver. 10.) unto which I take these words to relate; signifying that they died in his presence (and perhaps by a flash of fire from thence), on that very day upon which this murmuring was raised by their false report.

Numbers 14:38

But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of the men that went to search the land. Here Joshua is mentioned with Caleb/ and placed first (as in the sixth verse), as Caleb was in ver. 30. Which shews there was no difference made between them. Lived still.] This is set down to shew God’s faithfulness in his promise to them: who, I suppose, were now in the company of the rest of the searchers of the land, before the Lord, and had no hurt, when all the other ten fell down dead on a sudden; which made their preservation the more remarkable.

Numbers 14:39

And Moses told all these sayings nnto all the children of Israel. Acquainted them with the doom which God had passed upon them. And the people mourned greatly.] Were extremely afflicted at the news; but did not beseech him to pray for them; (as at other times, chap. xi. 2.) because he had told them the doom was irreversible.

Numbers 14:40

And they rose np early. Or, but they rose up. In the morning.] The next morning after they were told w T hat God had decreed against them. And gat them up into the top of the mountain.] They resolved they would go up; or they prepared themselves for it: for they did not yet actually go up; as appears by the following words. Saying, Lo, we be here.] We are ready to do as Joshua and Caleb exhorted us, chap. xiii. 30. xiv. 9. They seem now to be as forward, as before they were backward to go to possess the land: which their rising early signified. And we will go up to the place which the Lord liath promised.] They pretend now to depend upon his promise, and to trust he will make it good. For we have suined.] Are sensible of our sin, and fepent of it. Or, though we have sinned, yet we hope he will make good his promise. Ver. 4L. And Moses said, Wherefore now do you transgress the commandment of the Lord.] Why do you still continue in your disobedience to God; who commands yon to return, and not to go forward? (ver. 25.) But it shall not prosper.] You shall not succeed in your enterprise; which these words shew they stood ready to take in hand.

Numbers 14:42

Go not up. Though they sought the renewal of God’s promise with tears, (ver. 39.) and now were ready to testify their repentance with the hazard of their lives, he would not recal the sentence passed upon them.