Numbers 14:5

5 Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in front of the entire community, gathered in emergency session.

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 has God brought us to this country to kill us? Our wives and children are about to become plunder. Why don't we just head back to Egypt? And right now!"

4 Soon they were all saying it to one another: "Let's pick a new leader; let's head back to Egypt."

5 Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in front of the entire community, gathered in emergency session.

6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, members of the scouting party, ripped their clothes

7 and addressed the assembled People of Israel: "The land we walked through and scouted out is a very good land - very good indeed.