Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.” New Living Translation If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!” English Standard Version If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.” Berean Standard Bible If this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and let me not see my own wretchedness.” Berean Literal Bible And if You treat me like this, kill me, please, right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and do not let me see my wretchedness.” King James Bible And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. New King James Version If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favor in Your sight—and do not let me see my wretchedness!” New American Standard Bible So if You are going to deal with me this way, please kill me now, if I have found favor in Your sight, and do not let me see my misery.” NASB 1995 “So if You are going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once, if I have found favor in Your sight, and do not let me see my wretchedness.” NASB 1977 “So if Thou art going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once, if I have found favor in Thy sight, and do not let me see my wretchedness.” Legacy Standard Bible So if You are going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once, if I have found favor in Your sight, and do not let me see my wretchedness.” Amplified Bible So if this is the way You are going to deal with me, please kill me at once, if I have found favor in your sight, and do not let me see my wretchedness.” Berean Annotated Bible If this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and let me not see my own wretchedness. Christian Standard Bible If you are going to treat me like this, please kill me right now if I have found favor with you, and don’t let me see my misery anymore.” Holman Christian Standard Bible If You are going to treat me like this, please kill me right now. If You are pleased with me, don’t let me see my misery anymore.” American Standard Version And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favor in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. Contemporary English Version If this is the way you're going to treat me, just kill me now and end my miserable life! English Revised Version And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. GOD'S WORD® Translation If this is how you're going to treat me, why don't you just kill me? I can't face this trouble anymore." Good News Translation If you are going to treat me like this, have pity on me and kill me, so that I won't have to endure your cruelty any longer." International Standard Version If this is how you treat me, please kill me right now, if I've found favor in your eyes, because I don't want to keep staring at all of this misery!" NET Bible But if you are going to deal with me like this, then kill me immediately. If I have found favor in your sight then do not let me see my trouble." New Heart English Bible If you treat me this way, please kill me right now, if I have found favor in your sight; and do not let me see my wretchedness." Webster's Bible Translation And if thou dealest thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favor in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIf this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and let me not see my own wretchedness.” World English Bible If you treat me this way, please kill me right now, if I have found favor in your sight; and don’t let me see my wretchedness.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand if thus You are doing to me—please slay me; slay, if I have found grace in your eyes, and do not let me look on my affliction.” Berean Literal Bible And if You treat me like this, kill me, please, right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and do not let me see my wretchedness.” Young's Literal Translation and if thus Thou art doing to me -- slay me, I pray Thee; slay, if I have found grace in thine eyes, and let me not look on mine affliction.' Smith's Literal Translation And if so thou doest to me, killing, kill me now, if I found grace in thine eyes; and I shall not look upon my evil. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut if it seem unto thee otherwise, I beseech thee to kill me, and let me find grace in thy eyes, that I be not afflicted with so great evils. Catholic Public Domain Version But if it seems to you otherwise, I beg you to put me to death, and so may I find grace in your eyes, lest I be afflicted with such evils.” New American Bible If this is the way you will deal with me, then please do me the favor of killing me at once, so that I need no longer face my distress.” New Revised Standard Version If this is the way you are going to treat me, put me to death at once—if I have found favor in your sight—and do not let me see my misery.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd if thou deal thus with me, kill me right away, if I have found favor in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated If you do so to me, kill me please, if I have found mercy in your eyes, and I shall not see my misery.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And if Thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray Thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in Thy sight; and let me not look upon my wretchedness.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And if thou doest thus to me, slay me utterly, if I have found favour with thee, that I may not see my affliction. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Complaint of Moses…14I cannot carry all these people by myself; it is too burdensome for me. 15If this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now — if I have found favor in Your eyes— and let me not see my own wretchedness.” Cross References If this is how You are going to treat me, Job 7:20 If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, so that I am a burden to You? Job 10:2 I will say to God: Do not condemn me! Let me know why You prosecute me. Job 13:24 Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy? please kill me right now— 1 Kings 19:4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” Jonah 4:3 And now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Job 6:8-9 If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope: / that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off! if I have found favor in Your eyes— Exodus 33:12-13 Then Moses said to the LORD, “Look, You have been telling me, ‘Lead this people up,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have found favor in My sight.’ / Now if indeed I have found favor in Your sight, please let me know Your ways, that I may know You and find favor in Your sight. Remember that this nation is Your people.” Genesis 18:3 “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. Judges 6:17 Gideon answered, “If I have found favor in Your sight, give me a sign that it is You speaking with me. and let me not see my own wretchedness.” Job 10:15 If I am guilty, woe to me! And even if I am righteous, I cannot lift my head. I am full of shame and aware of my affliction. Psalm 25:18 Consider my affliction and trouble, and take away all my sins. Jeremiah 20:18 Why did I come out of the womb to see only trouble and sorrow, and to end my days in shame? Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.” Jeremiah 20:14-18 Cursed be the day I was born! May the day my mother bore me never be blessed. / Cursed be the man who brought my father the news, saying, “A son is born to you,” bringing him great joy. / May that man be like the cities that the LORD overthrew without compassion. May he hear an outcry in the morning and a battle cry at noon, … 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. / Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead. Philippians 1:21-24 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. / But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. / I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed. … Treasury of Scripture And if you deal thus with me, kill me, I pray you, out of hand, if I have found favor in your sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. kill me 1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. Job 3:20-22 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul; … Job 6:8-10 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! … let me not Jeremiah 15:18 Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail? Jeremiah 20:18 Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame? Zephaniah 3:15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. my wretchedness. Jump to Previous Affliction Deal Dealest Death Eyes Hand Kill Please Prayer Right Shame Sight Slay Treat WiltJump to Next Affliction Deal Dealest Death Eyes Hand Kill Please Prayer Right Shame Sight Slay Treat WiltNumbers 11 1. The burning at Taberah quenched by Moses' prayer4. The people crave meat, and loathe manna 10. Moses complains of his charge 16. God promises to divide his burden unto seventy elders, 18. and to give the people meat for a month 21. Moses' faith is staggered 31. Quails are given in wrath at Kibroth Hattaavah If this is how You are going to treat me Moses is speaking directly to God, expressing his frustration and despair. This moment reflects the intense burden of leadership Moses feels as he leads the Israelites through the wilderness. The Israelites' constant complaints and lack of faith weigh heavily on him. This phrase highlights the human side of Moses, showing that even great leaders can feel overwhelmed. It echoes the sentiments of other biblical figures who have questioned God's plans, such as Elijah in 1 Kings 19:4. please kill me right now if I have found favor in Your eyes and let me not see my own wretchedness Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe central figure in this passage, Moses is the leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In Numbers 11:15, Moses is expressing his deep frustration and sense of being overwhelmed by the burden of leadership. 2. The Israelites The people of God who are journeying through the wilderness. They are complaining about their hardships and the lack of variety in their diet, which adds to Moses' burden. 3. The Wilderness The setting of this event, where the Israelites are wandering after their exodus from Egypt. It is a place of testing and reliance on God. 4. God The ultimate authority and provider, who hears Moses' plea and responds to the needs of His people. 5. The Tent of Meeting Although not directly mentioned in this verse, it is the place where Moses often goes to meet with God and seek guidance. Teaching Points The Weight of LeadershipLeadership, especially spiritual leadership, can be overwhelming. Moses' plea in Numbers 11:15 shows that even the most faithful leaders can feel crushed by their responsibilities. Honesty in Prayer Moses' candid conversation with God demonstrates that we can bring our deepest frustrations and feelings to God in prayer. God desires honesty and transparency in our relationship with Him. God's Provision in Desperation When we reach the end of our strength, God provides solutions and support. This passage encourages believers to trust in God's provision and timing. The Importance of Community Support Just as God later instructs Moses to appoint seventy elders to share the burden, we are reminded of the importance of community and shared responsibilities in the body of Christ. Relying on God's Strength Human strength is limited, but God's strength is perfect in our weakness. This passage encourages believers to rely on God's strength rather than their own. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 11:15?2. How does Moses' plea in Numbers 11:15 reflect human limitations and reliance on God? 3. What does Moses' request reveal about his leadership challenges in Numbers 11:15? 4. How can we apply Moses' honesty with God to our prayer life today? 5. In what ways does Numbers 11:15 connect to Jesus' invitation to cast burdens on Him? 6. How does Moses' despair in Numbers 11:15 teach us about seeking God's strength? 7. Why does Moses ask God to take his life in Numbers 11:15? 8. How does Numbers 11:15 reflect Moses' leadership struggles? 9. What does Numbers 11:15 reveal about human limitations in spiritual leadership? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 11? 11. What distinguishes mortal sin from venial sin? 12. (2 Samuel 23:8 vs 1 Chronicles 11:11) Why do the records conflict on the number of enemies killed (eight hundred vs three hundred)? 13. Numbers 15:15-16: How does one law for both Israelites and foreigners reconcile with other passages that treat outsiders differently? 14. Numbers 11:14-15 describes Moses' despair; how consistent is this with the idea of Moses as a faith-driven leader elsewhere in the Torah? What Does Numbers 11:15 Mean If this is how You are going to treat me• Moses speaks in raw honesty after hearing Israel’s grumbling about manna (Numbers 11:1–10). • He feels overwhelmed by a burden God never asked him to shoulder alone (compare Exodus 18:17–18). • His lament echoes earlier prophets who voiced despair when ministry felt impossible—Jeremiah 20:7–9; Jonah 4:1–3. • The verse shows God permits transparent lament; He records it faithfully without rebuke at this moment (Psalm 62:8). please kill me right now • Moses dramatizes his exhaustion with a request for death, recalling Elijah’s plea in 1 Kings 19:4 after spiritual victory turned to crisis. • The statement is not suicidal rebellion but a surrender of life to the One who gave it (Job 6:8–9). • It underscores that spiritual leaders can reach breaking points; God’s solution will be shared leadership, not condemnation (Numbers 11:16-17). if I have found favor in Your eyes • Moses knows he stands under God’s grace (Exodus 33:17). His appeal is grounded in relationship, not entitlement. • He trusts that the same God who showed favor at the burning bush and at Sinai will respond compassionately now (Psalm 30:7). • This clause reveals that candid prayer can coexist with deep confidence in divine goodness (Hebrews 4:16). and let me not see my own wretchedness • “Wretchedness” points to the crushing awareness of inadequacy when comparing personal strength to the task (2 Corinthians 3:5). • Moses would rather die than witness continued personal failure in leading a complaining people—paralleling Paul’s groan in Romans 7:24. • God answers by lifting, not eliminating, Moses’ calling: seventy elders share the Spirit, reducing the sense of wretched isolation (Numbers 11:24-29). summary Numbers 11:15 captures a pivotal moment when Moses, fatigued and frustrated, pours out a desperate plea. His words teach that God welcomes honest lament; leaders can confess limits; grace remains the basis of every appeal; and the Lord’s answer is not death but provision—distributing the load so His servant can continue faithfully. (15) Kill me, I pray thee, out of hand.--Or, Make an utter end of me.Verse 15. - Kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, or "quite." Hebrew, תָרֹג, inf. abs. And let me not see my wretchedness. Let me not live to see the total failure of my hopes and efforts.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Ifוְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not this is how כָּ֣כָה ׀ (kā·ḵāh) Adverb Strong's 3602: Just so You אַתְּ־ (’at-) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you are going to treat עֹ֣שֶׂה (‘ō·śeh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make me, לִּ֗י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew please נָא֙ (nā) Interjection Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then' kill me right now— הָרֹ֔ג (hā·rōḡ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent if אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not I have found מָצָ֥אתִי (mā·ṣā·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present favor חֵ֖ן (ḥên) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2580: Graciousness, subjective, objective in Your eyes— בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ (bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain and let me not וְאַל־ (wə·’al-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 408: Not see אֶרְאֶ֖ה (’er·’eh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular Strong's 7200: To see my own wretchedness.” בְּרָעָתִֽי׃ (bə·rā·‘ā·ṯî) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil Links Numbers 11:15 NIVNumbers 11:15 NLT Numbers 11:15 ESV Numbers 11:15 NASB Numbers 11:15 KJV Numbers 11:15 BibleApps.com Numbers 11:15 Biblia Paralela Numbers 11:15 Chinese Bible Numbers 11:15 French Bible Numbers 11:15 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 11:15 If you deal thus with me please (Nu Num.) |
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