Numbers 20:3

3 And the people contended with Moses, and spoke, saying, Would that we had died when our brethren died before Jehovah!

Numbers 20:3 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 20:3

And the people chode with Moses
Contended with him in a wrangling and litigious manner, showing no reverence nor respect unto his person on account of the dignity of his office, and the many favours they had received from him; and this at a time, when, instead of quarrelling with him, they should have condoled him on the loss of his sister, and bewailed their own loss also of one who had been a prophetess to them, and a leader of them, ( Micah 6:4 )

and spake, saying, would God that we had died when our brethren died
before the Lord;
either at Taberah by fire, or as Korah and his company in like manner, or as the fourteen thousand and seven hundred by a pestilence, ( Numbers 11:1-3 ) ( Numbers 16:35 Numbers 16:49 ) which they thought a much easier death, either of them, than to die of thirst: they might well call them brethren, not only because of the same nation, and nearly related to them, but because they were of the same temper and disposition, and indeed brethren in iniquity; and they seem to use this appellation, as being of the same sentiments with them, and in vindication of them, and adopt almost their very language; see ( Numbers 14:2 ) .

Numbers 20:3 In-Context

1 And the children of Israel, the whole assembly, came into the wilderness of Zin, in the first month; and the people abode at Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.

2 And there was no water for the assembly, and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.

3 And the people contended with Moses, and spoke, saying, Would that we had died when our brethren died before Jehovah!

4 And why have ye brought the congregation of Jehovah into this wilderness, that we should die there, we and our beasts?

5 And why have ye made us to go up out of Egypt, to bring us to this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates, neither is there any water to drink.