Numbers 11:23
◄  Numbers 11:23  ►
New International Version (©2011)
The LORD answered Moses, "Is the LORD's arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you."

New Living Translation (©2007)
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Has my arm lost its power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!"

English Standard Version (©2001)
And the LORD said to Moses, “Is the LORD’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
The LORD said to Moses, "Is the LORD'S power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not."

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
The LORD answered Moses, "Is the LORD's power limited? You will see whether or not what I have promised will happen to you."

International Standard Version (©2012)
But the LORD responded to Moses, "Is the LORD short on power? You're now going to witness whether what I say will come to pass or not."

NET Bible (©2006)
And the LORD said to Moses, "Is the LORD's hand shortened? Now you will see whether my word to you will come true or not!"

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
The LORD asked Moses, "Is there a limit to the LORD's power? Now you will see whether or not my words come true."

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand shortened? you shall see now whether my word shall come to pass unto you or not.

American King James Version
And the LORD said to Moses, Is the LORD's hand waxed short? you shall see now whether my word shall come to pass to you or not.

American Standard Version
And Jehovah said unto Moses, Is Jehovah's hand waxed short? now shalt thou see whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord answered him: Is the hand of the Lord unable? Thou shalt presently see whether my word shall come to pass or no.

Darby Bible Translation
And Jehovah said to Moses, Hath Jehovah's hand become short? Now shalt thou see whether my word will come to pass unto thee or not.

English Revised Version
And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? now shalt thou see whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD said to Moses, Is the LORD'S hand shortened? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass to thee, or not.

World English Bible
Yahweh said to Moses, "Has Yahweh's hand grown short? Now you will see whether my word will happen to you or not."

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Is the hand of Jehovah become short? now thou dost see whether My word meeteth thee or not.'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

11:16-23 Moses is to choose such as he knew to be elders, that is, wise and experienced men. God promises to qualify them. If they were not found fit for the employ, they should be made fit. Even the discontented people shall be gratified too, that every mouth may be stopped. See here, I. The vanity of all the delights of sense; they will cloy, but they will not satisfy. Spiritual pleasures alone will satisfy and last. As the world passes away, so do the lusts of it. 2. What brutish sins gluttony and drunkenness are! they make that to hurt the body which should be its health. Moses objects. Even true and great believers sometimes find it hard to trust God under the discouragements of second causes, and against hope to believe in hope. God here brings Moses to this point, The Lord God is Almighty; and puts the proof upon the issue, Thou shalt see whether my word shall come to pass or not. If he speaks, it is done.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 23. - Is the Lord's hand waxed short? So that it cannot reach far enough to fulfill his purposes. This simple and expressive figure of speech is adopted by Isaiah (Isaiah 1:2; Isaiah 59:1).

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the Lord said unto Moses,.... In answer to his objection, without upbraiding him with his sin of unbelief:

is the Lord's hand waxed short? or his power diminished since the creation, when he formed all things out of nothing, and what is it then he is not able to do? or since he wrought the wonders in Egypt, divided the Red sea, rained down manna from heaven, and smote the rock at Horeb, from whence waters flowed sufficient for all this people, and their flocks and herds; and he that did all this could give them flesh that would suffice them a whole month, see Isaiah 59:1,

thou shall see now whether my words shall come to pass unto thee or no; whether I am able to make good my promise; a short time will decide it, it shall be seen presently whether I am and will do what I have said.

Numbers 11:23 Parallel Commentaries

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Moses' Faith Staggered
21And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and you have said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. 22Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them? 23And the LORD said to Moses, Is the LORD's hand waxed short? you shall see now whether my word shall come to pass to you or not. …

Numbers 11:22 Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?"
Isaiah 50:2 When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to deliver you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert; their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.
Isaiah 59:1 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.
Jeremiah 14:9 Why are you like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? You are among us, LORD, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!
Ezekiel 12:25 But I the LORD will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious people, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign LORD.'"
Ezekiel 24:14 "'I the LORD have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not hold back; I will not have pity, nor will I relent. You will be judged according to your conduct and your actions, declares the Sovereign LORD.'"
Daniel 6:20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?"