Numbers 11:23

23 And the LORD said to Moses, 1"Is the LORD's hand shortened? Now you shall see whether 2my word will come true for you or not."

Numbers 11:23 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 11:23

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 In-Context

21 But Moses said, "The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, and you have said, 'I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month!'
22 Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, and be enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, and be enough for them?"
23 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."
24 So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD. And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent.
25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Isaiah 50:2; Isaiah 59:1
  • 2. Numbers 23:19; Ezekiel 12:25; Ezekiel 24:14
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.