Numbers 20:4

4 Why did you bring the LORD’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here?

Numbers 20:4 in Other Translations

KJV
4 And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?
ESV
4 Why have you brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle?
NLT
4 Why have you brought the congregation of the LORD ’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock?
MSG
4 Why did you haul this congregation of God out here into this wilderness to die, people and cattle alike?
CSB
4 Why have you brought the Lord's assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here?

Numbers 20:4 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 20:4

And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into
this wilderness
The wilderness of Zin, whither by various marches and journeys, and through different stations, they were at length come:

that we and our cattle should die there?
with thirst; they seem to represent it, as if this was the end, design, and intention of Moses and Aaron in bringing them thither; their language is much the same with their fathers on a like occasion; which shows the bad influence of example, and how careful parents should be of their words and actions, that their posterity be not harmed by them; see ( Exodus 17:3 ) .

Numbers 20:4 In-Context

2 Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron.
3 They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD!
4 Why did you bring the LORD’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here?
5 Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!”
6 Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Numbers 14:2
  • 2. S Exodus 14:11; Exodus 17:3; Numbers 14:3; Numbers 16:13
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