Numbers 11 23

Numbers 11:23 kjv

And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD's hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

Numbers 11:23 nkjv

And the LORD said to Moses, "Has the LORD's arm been shortened? Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not."

Numbers 11:23 niv

The LORD answered Moses, "Is the LORD's arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you."

Numbers 11:23 esv

And the LORD said to Moses, "Is the LORD's hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not."

Numbers 11:23 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Has my arm lost its power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!"

Numbers 11 verses

Numbers 11 23 Meaning

Numbers 11:23 captures God's rhetorical challenge to Moses, and by extension to the complaining Israelites, about His boundless power and unwavering faithfulness. It asserts that there are no limitations to God's ability to fulfill His promises, even when human resources and logic fail. Moses had expressed doubt about how God could provide enough meat for the vast multitude; this verse is God's direct, emphatic affirmation that His "hand" – His power and ability – is never diminished, and His word will unfailingly come to pass. It signifies God's absolute sovereignty and capacity to act supernaturally beyond human comprehension or limitation.

Numbers 11 23 Context

The immediate context of Numbers chapter 11 portrays the Israelites, a year after leaving Sinai, in deep dissatisfaction. They began to "complain bitterly" (v. 1) and later lamented their monotonous diet of manna, craving meat, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic from Egypt (v. 4-6). This discontent festered into a deep grumbling that caused Moses immense distress. Overwhelmed by the burden of leading such a murmuring multitude and the seemingly impossible task of feeding them meat for a full month, Moses expresses his despair and frustration directly to God (v. 10-15), even wishing for death. He explicitly questions how he could possibly gather enough meat for two million people (v. 21).

It is precisely this doubt and the human impossibility of the task that Numbers 11:23 addresses. God's response to Moses' complaint is a direct answer to his "where can I get meat" query, reaffirming His infinite power and absolute capacity to provide for His people, no matter the scale or perceived impossibility. The historical context is the wilderness journey, where Israel repeatedly experienced God's miraculous provision and yet consistently struggled with faith, looking back to Egypt and questioning God's leadership and ability. This verse stands as a powerful divine counter-statement to human limitations and unbelief, challenging the finite perspective with the truth of the infinite God. It serves as a polemic against any notion, prevalent in the ancient Near East, that a god could be limited by circumstance or resource. Yahweh's power is shown to be truly without constraint.

Numbers 11 23 Word analysis

• Is the LORD's hand shortened?
  • Is: A direct interrogative particle in Hebrew (הֲ - ha), preceding the word, signaling a question. Here, it introduces a rhetorical question demanding a strong negative answer.
  • the LORD's (יְהוָה - YHWH, Yahweh): The sacred personal name of the covenant God of Israel. Using YHWH emphasizes God's personal, faithful character and His specific relationship with His people, reminding Moses of His unchanging power consistently demonstrated through the Exodus.
  • hand (יָד - yad): Literally "hand," but here, it's a powerful Hebrew idiom or metonymy representing strength, power, ability, might, and sovereign action. God's "hand" signifies His executive capacity and active intervention.
  • shortened (קָצְרָה - qatzerah): From the verb קָצַר (qatsar), meaning "to be short, cut short, impatient, shrivelled." In this context, it implies diminished capacity, inability, or limitation of power. The rhetorical question asks if God's inherent power has somehow lessened or become insufficient to meet the need.
• Now you shall see
  • Now (עַתָּה - attah): Emphasizes immediacy and certainty. This isn't a future possibility, but an imminent demonstration. It confronts Moses with a present reality check.
  • you shall see: Direct, personal address to Moses, who is doubting. It's a command for him to observe, signifying an undeniable demonstration of divine power and faithfulness about to unfold before his very eyes.
• whether My word will come to pass for you or not.
  • My word (דְּבָרִי - d'vari): God's spoken declaration, His promise, decree, or command. This refers to the specific promise given earlier in the chapter to provide meat for Israel for a whole month (Num 11:18-20). The immutability and reliability of God's word are central to His character.
  • will come to pass (יִקְרֶה - yiqreh): From the verb קָרָה (qarah), meaning "to happen, occur, meet, befall, encounter." Here, it specifically means "to be fulfilled" or "to materialize."
  • for you: Highlights that the fulfillment will be a personal experience for Moses and the people. They will directly witness and partake in this divine provision, experiencing the tangible reality of God's promise.
  • or not: Completes the challenging, confrontational tone of the statement, daring any doubt by affirming the certainty of the outcome. It's a statement of absolute truth, presenting only one true possibility.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "Is the LORD's hand shortened?": This foundational theological question immediately dismisses any concept of God's power being finite or diminishing. It challenges anthropomorphic limitations on the divine and stands as a strong polemic against pagan deities whose power was often localized, limited, or could wane. Yahweh, the God of Israel, is declared to be universally and eternally potent.
  • "Now you shall see whether My word will come to pass for you or not.": This segment emphasizes the demonstrative nature of God's truth. It's not just a statement of His capacity, but a promise of imminent action that will provide tangible proof, resolving all doubt through direct experience. It underlines God's unwavering integrity and commitment to His declared intentions, putting His character and word on the line for observation.

Numbers 11 23 Bonus section

The Hebrew word "yad" (hand) when referring to God, implies much more than mere physical power. It encompasses divine providence, guidance, protection, and judgment. In the context of Num 11:23, "His hand not shortened" not only assures unlimited provision but also unlimited capability in all these aspects. It's an affirmation of God's unwavering sovereignty and competence to lead His people through the wilderness and fulfill all His promises. This verse underscores the deep theological truth that God's being is directly linked to His acting. Because He is Yahweh, the faithful, unchanging God, His "hand" cannot be "shortened." His nature guarantees His performance. This foundational truth would have been understood by the original audience as a direct challenge to the often capricious and limited gods of the surrounding pagan nations, asserting Yahweh's unparalleled and incomparable majesty.

Numbers 11 23 Commentary

Numbers 11:23 serves as a pivotal moment, shifting from human complaint and doubt to divine declaration and demonstration. God's rhetorical question, "Is the LORD's hand shortened?", forcefully dismisses any notion that His omnipotence has lessened or that He lacks the ability to accomplish what He purposes. This challenges Moses' finite perspective, which saw only logistical impossibilities, reminding him of the infinite power of the covenant-keeping God (YHWH) who had already performed unparalleled miracles in Egypt and at the Red Sea.

The subsequent statement, "Now you shall see whether My word will come to pass for you or not," elevates the divine response from a mere assertion of power to a concrete promise of imminent fulfillment. It signals an experiential truth; the Israelites will witness firsthand the unwavering faithfulness of God's word. This is not just about providing meat; it's about validating God's character and establishing His word as eternally reliable. The verse offers a profound lesson on faith: true faith trusts God's capacity and integrity even when circumstances seem impossible, recognizing that His ability is never diminished, and His promises never fail.

• Practical Usage Example: When faced with seemingly overwhelming challenges, whether personal, financial, or relational, recall this verse. Instead of asking "How is this possible?" (from a human perspective), ask, "Is the LORD's hand shortened?" Trust that His word will come to pass, not through your effort alone, but by His infinite capacity.