Numbers 14:5

5 quo audito Moses et Aaron ceciderunt proni in terram coram omni multitudine filiorum Israhel

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 utinam mortui essemus in Aegypto et non in hac vasta solitudine utinam pereamus et non inducat nos Dominus in terram istam ne cadamus gladio et uxores ac liberi nostri ducantur captivi nonne melius est reverti in Aegyptum

4 dixeruntque alter ad alterum constituamus nobis ducem et revertamur in Aegyptum

5 quo audito Moses et Aaron ceciderunt proni in terram coram omni multitudine filiorum Israhel

6 at vero Iosue filius Nun et Chaleb filius Iepphonne qui et ipsi lustraverant terram sciderunt vestimenta sua

7 et ad omnem multitudinem filiorum Israhel locuti sunt terram quam circuivimus valde bona est