Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” New Living Translation “Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” English Standard Version Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” Berean Standard Bible Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” King James Bible And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? New King James Version Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” New American Standard Bible So why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder! Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” NASB 1995 “Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” NASB 1977 “And why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” Legacy Standard Bible And why is Yahweh bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” Amplified Bible Why is the LORD bringing us to this land [of Canaan], to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” Christian Standard Bible Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to die by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to die by the sword? Our wives and little children will become plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” American Standard Version And wherefore doth Jehovah bring us unto this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will be a prey: were it not better for us to return into Egypt? Contemporary English Version Is the LORD leading us into Canaan, just to have us killed and our women and children captured? We'd be better off in Egypt." English Revised Version And wherefore doth the LORD bring us unto this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones shall be a prey: were it not better for us to return into Egypt? GOD'S WORD® Translation Why is the LORD bringing us to this land-just to have us die in battle? Our wives and children will be taken as prisoners of war! Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" Good News Translation Why is the LORD taking us into that land? We will be killed in battle, and our wives and children will be captured. Wouldn't it be better to go back to Egypt?" International Standard Version What's the point in the LORD bringing us to this land? To die by the sword so our wives and children would become war victims? Wouldn't it be better for us to return to Egypt?" NET Bible Why has the LORD brought us into this land only to be killed by the sword, that our wives and our children should become plunder? Wouldn't it be better for us to return to Egypt?" New Heart English Bible Why does the LORD bring us to this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will be a prey: wouldn't it be better for us to return into Egypt?" Webster's Bible Translation And why hath the LORD brought us to this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhy is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” World English Bible Why does Yahweh bring us to this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will be captured or killed! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return into Egypt?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd why is YHWH bringing us to this land to fall by the sword, [that] our wives and our infants become a prey? Is it not good for us to return to Egypt?” Young's Literal Translation and why is Jehovah bringing us in unto this land to fall by the sword? our wives and our infants are become a prey; is it not good for us to turn back to Egypt?' Smith's Literal Translation And wherefore does Jehovah bring us to this land to fall by the sword? our wives and our little ones shall be for a prey. Would it not be good for us to turn back to Egypt? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWould God that we had died in Egypt and would God we may die in this vast wilderness, and that the Lord may not bring us into this land, lest we fall by the sword, and our wives and children be led away captives. Is it not better to return into Egypt? Catholic Public Domain Version “If only we had died in Egypt,” and, “If only we would perish in this vast wilderness,” and, “May the Lord not lead us into this land, lest we fall by the sword, and our wives, as well as our children, be led away as captives. Is it not better to return to Egypt?” New American Bible Why is the LORD bringing us into this land only to have us fall by the sword? Our wives and little ones will be taken as spoil. Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” New Revised Standard Version Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become booty; would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhy has the LORD brought us into this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should be a prey? We were better off when we dwelt in Egypt. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Why does LORD JEHOVAH bring us into this land that we shall fall by a sword, and our women and our little ones shall be prey? It was better for us when we were dwelling in Egypt!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And wherefore doth the LORD bring us unto this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will be a prey; were it not better for us to return into Egypt?' Brenton Septuagint Translation Would we had died in the land of Egypt! or in this wilderness, would we had died! and why does the Lord bring us into this land to fall in war? our wives and our children shall be for a prey: now then it is better to return into Egypt. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The People Rebel…2All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.”… Cross References Exodus 16:3 “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!” Exodus 17:3 But the people thirsted for water there, and they grumbled against Moses: “Why have you brought us out of Egypt—to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” Deuteronomy 1:27 You grumbled in your tents and said, “Because the LORD hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to be annihilated. Deuteronomy 1:28 Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying: ‘The people are larger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the heavens. We even saw the descendants of the Anakim there.’” Deuteronomy 9:28 Otherwise, those in the land from which You brought us out will say, ‘Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land He had promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.’ Joshua 7:7 “O, Lord GOD,” Joshua said, “why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to be destroyed? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! Nehemiah 9:17 They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them. Psalm 106:24-25 They despised the pleasant land; they did not believe His promise. / They grumbled in their tents and did not listen to the voice of the LORD. Isaiah 63:10 But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them. Ezekiel 20:13 Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness. Ezekiel 20:15 Moreover, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land that I had given them—a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands— Acts 7:39 But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. Hebrews 3:8-10 do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. / Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known My ways.’ Hebrews 3:16-19 For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? / And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed? ... Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it. Treasury of Scripture And why has the LORD brought us to this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? the Lord Psalm 78:40 Jeremiah 9:3 our wives Numbers 14:31,32 Jump to Previous Better Children Death Egypt Prey Strange Sword Wherefore Wives Wouldn'tJump to Next Better Children Death Egypt Prey Strange Sword Wherefore Wives Wouldn'tNumbers 14 1. The people murmur at the news6. Joshua and Caleb labor to still them 11. God threatens them 13. Moses intercedes with God, and obtains pardon 26. The Murmurers are debarred from entering into the land 36. The men who raised the evil report die by a plague 40. The people that would invade the land against the will of God are smitten Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? This phrase reflects the Israelites' fear and lack of faith as they face the prospect of entering Canaan. Despite witnessing God's miracles in Egypt and His provision in the wilderness, they doubt His promise to give them the land. This question reveals their misunderstanding of God's intentions and His power. Historically, the Israelites were on the brink of entering the Promised Land, a fulfillment of the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21). Their fear of the inhabitants, despite God's assurances, shows a lack of trust. This moment parallels other instances of doubt, such as when the disciples feared during the storm despite Jesus' presence (Mark 4:35-41). Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now journeying to the Promised Land. 2. Moses The leader appointed by God to guide the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness. 3. The Promised Land The land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. 4. Egypt The place of bondage from which the Israelites were delivered, representing their past life of slavery. 5. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant-keeping God who delivered the Israelites and promised them the land of Canaan. Teaching Points Trust in God's PromisesDespite the challenges, believers are called to trust in God's promises and His faithfulness, just as the Israelites were called to trust in God's promise of the Promised Land. The Danger of Looking Back The Israelites' desire to return to Egypt symbolizes a temptation to revert to old ways when faced with difficulties. Believers are encouraged to press forward in faith rather than looking back to past comforts. Fear vs. Faith The Israelites' fear of the unknown led them to doubt God's plan. Christians are reminded to walk by faith, not by sight, trusting that God is in control even when circumstances seem daunting. The Consequences of Unbelief The Israelites' lack of faith resulted in severe consequences, including wandering in the wilderness. This serves as a warning about the spiritual consequences of unbelief. God's Patience and Mercy Despite the Israelites' repeated complaints, God remained patient and merciful. This highlights God's enduring grace and the opportunity for repentance and renewed faith. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 14What is the main theme of the Book of Numbers? How does Genesis 46:8-27 reconcile the total of '70 persons' with other biblical passages that give different family counts? Deuteronomy 2:14 notes a 38-year delay, yet the Bible elsewhere often references 40 years; is there a timeline inconsistency? Why does Jude 1:5 say Jesus saved a people out of Egypt, contradicting the standard Old Testament account?(3) And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land . . .?--Better, And wherefore doth the Lord bring us into this land?--i.e., the land of Canaan, as clearly appears from the words which follow (comp. Numbers 15:18, where the same Hiphil participle is used). The destruction which the Israelites apprehended at this time was not a destruction by famine or drought, but by the sword of the Amorites and of the children of the Anakim. (Comp. Deuteronomy 1:27-28.) That our wives and our children should be a prey--i.e., should fall into the hands of the enemy after their entrance into the land of Canaan. (Comp. Exodus 15:14-17.) It is possible, however, that the land through which the Israelites were passing may be included here and in Numbers 14:14. Verse 3. - Wherefore hath the Lord brought us. Rather, "wherefore doth the Lord bring us." מֵבִיא. Septuagint, εἰσάγει. They were not actually in the land yet, but only on the threshold.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Whyוְלָמָ֣ה (wə·lā·māh) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what is the LORD יְ֠הוָה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel bringing מֵבִ֨יא (mê·ḇî) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go us into אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to this הַזֹּאת֙ (haz·zōṯ) Article | Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, land הָאָ֤רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land to fall לִנְפֹּ֣ל (lin·pōl) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5307: To fall, lie by the sword? בַּחֶ֔רֶב (ba·ḥe·reḇ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword Our wives נָשֵׁ֥ינוּ (nā·šê·nū) Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common plural Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female and children וְטַפֵּ֖נוּ (wə·ṭap·pê·nū) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural Strong's 2945: A family will become יִהְי֣וּ (yih·yū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be plunder. לָבַ֑ז (lā·ḇaz) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 957: Spoiling, robbery, spoil, booty Would it not הֲל֧וֹא (hă·lō·w) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no be better ט֦וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good for us to go back שׁ֥וּב (šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again to Egypt?” מִצְרָֽיְמָה׃ (miṣ·rā·yə·māh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa Links Numbers 14:3 NIVNumbers 14:3 NLT Numbers 14:3 ESV Numbers 14:3 NASB Numbers 14:3 KJV Numbers 14:3 BibleApps.com Numbers 14:3 Biblia Paralela Numbers 14:3 Chinese Bible Numbers 14:3 French Bible Numbers 14:3 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 14:3 Why does Yahweh bring us to this (Nu Num.) |
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