Numbers 14:5

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before the assembled Israelite community.

Numbers 14:5 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 14:5

Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces
Through shame and confusion of face for them, at hearing so shocking a proposal made, and such wretched ingratitude expressed; they blushed at it, and were in the utmost distress on account of it, and therefore threw themselves into this posture; or it may be this was done either to beg of them that they would lay aside all thoughts of this kind, or to supplicate the divine Majesty that he would convince them of their sin and folly, and give them repentance for it and forgiveness of it; and this they did

before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel;
to affect them the more with a sense of their sin and danger.

Numbers 14:5 In-Context

3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and our children will be taken by force. Wouldn't it be better for us to return to Egypt?"

4 So they said to each other, "Let's pick a leader and let's go back to Egypt."

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before the assembled Israelite community.

6 But Joshua, Nun's son, and Caleb, Jephunneh's son, from those who had explored the land, tore their clothes

7 and said to the entire Israelite community, "The land we crossed through to explore is an exceptionally good land.