Numbers 14:9

9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

Numbers 14:9 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
9 Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.
English Standard Version (ESV)
9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them."
New Living Translation (NLT)
9 Do not rebel against the LORD, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the LORD is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”
The Message Bible (MSG)
9 Just don't rebel against God! And don't be afraid of those people. Why, we'll have them for lunch! They have no protection and God is on our side. Don't be afraid of them!"
American Standard Version (ASV)
9 Only rebel not against Jehovah, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is removed from over them, and Jehovah is with us: fear them not.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
9 Don't rebel against the LORD, and don't be afraid of the people of the land. We will devour them like bread. They have no protection, and the LORD is with us. So don't be afraid of them."
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
9 Only don't rebel against the Lord, and don't be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don't be afraid of them!"
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
9 "But don't refuse to obey him. And don't be afraid of the people of the land. We will swallow them up. The LORD is with us. So nothing can save them. Don't be afraid of them."

Numbers 14:9 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 14:9

Only rebel not ye against the Lord
Nothing, it is suggested, could hinder them from the, possession of it but their rebellion against the Lord; which might provoke him to cut them off by his immediate hand, or to deliver them into the hands of their enemies; for rebellion is a dreadful sin, and highly provoking, ( 1 Samuel 15:23 ) ;

neither fear ye the people the land;
on account of their number, strength, the walled cities they dwell in; they had nothing to fear from them, so be it they feared the Lord, and were not disobedient to him:

for they [are] bread for us;
as easy to be cut to pieces, and to be devoured, consumed, and destroyed as thoroughly, as bread is when eaten; and their fields, vineyards, all they have without and within, even all their substance, will be a prey to us, and furnish out sufficient provision for us, on which we may pleasantly and plentifully live, as on bread: see ( Psalms 14:4 ) ;

their defence is departed from them;
they had no heart nor spirit left in them; no courage to defend themselves, and therefore the strength of their bodies and their walled towns would be of no avail unto them; see ( Joshua 2:9-11 ) ; or "their shadow" F18, which covered and protected them, the providence of God which was over them, and continued them in the land, and quiet possession of it, until the measure of their iniquity was filled up, and the time come for his people Israel to inhabit it; but now it was departed:

and the Lord [is] with us;
as was evident by the cloud upon the tabernacle, and by the manna being spread around their camp every morning: the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan are,

``the Word of the Lord is for our help:''

fear them not;
the Canaanites, notwithstanding the strength of their bodies, or of their cities, the Lord is mightier than they.


FOOTNOTES:

F18 (Mlu) "umbra eorum", Montanus, Tigurine version, Fagius, Vatablus; so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Numbers 14:9 In-Context

7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.
8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.
9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”
10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites.
11 The LORD said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them?

Cross References 6

  • 1. Deuteronomy 1:26; Deuteronomy 9:7,23,24
  • 2. Genesis 26:24; 2 Chronicles 32:7; Psalms 118:6; Jeremiah 41:18; Jeremiah 42:11
  • 3. Deuteronomy 1:21; Deuteronomy 7:18; Deuteronomy 20:1
  • 4. Haggai 2:4
  • 5. S Genesis 21:22; Deuteronomy 1:30; 2 Chronicles 13:12; Jeremiah 15:20; Jeremiah 46:28; Haggai 1:13
  • 6. ver 24
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