Numbers 20:3

3 The people complained to Moses and said, "If only we had died when the other Israelites died in the LORD's presence!

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 In the first month the whole community of Israel came into the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. Miriam died and was buried there.

2 Since the community was without water, they came together to confront Moses and Aaron.

3 The people complained to Moses and said, "If only we had died when the other Israelites died in the LORD's presence!

4 Did you bring the LORD's assembly into this desert just to have us and our animals die here?

5 Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us into this terrible place? This is no place to plant crops. Even figs, grapes, and pomegranates won't grow here. And there's no water to drink!"