Numbers 14 14

Numbers 14:14 kjv

And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.

Numbers 14:14 nkjv

and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You, LORD, are among these people; that You, LORD, are seen face to face and Your cloud stands above them, and You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night.

Numbers 14:14 niv

And they will tell the inhabitants of this land about it. They have already heard that you, LORD, are with these people and that you, LORD, have been seen face to face, that your cloud stays over them, and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

Numbers 14:14 esv

and they will tell the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that you, O LORD, are in the midst of this people. For you, O LORD, are seen face to face, and your cloud stands over them and you go before them, in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night.

Numbers 14:14 nlt

Now if you destroy them, the Egyptians will send a report to the inhabitants of this land, who have already heard that you live among your people. They know, LORD, that you have appeared to your people face to face and that your pillar of cloud hovers over them. They know that you go before them in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.

Numbers 14 verses

Numbers 14 14 Meaning

Numbers 14:14 is part of Moses' passionate intercession for Israel after their rebellion due to the spies' report. In this verse, Moses reminds the LORD of His unique, visible, and undeniable presence among His people, a reality known to surrounding nations. It emphasizes the tangible proofs of God's dwelling in their midst, His direct revelation to them, and His continuous guidance through the wilderness, appealing to God's character and reputation among all peoples.

Numbers 14 14 Context

Numbers 14:14 is part of Moses' second major intercession for Israel. Chapter 13 describes the sending of 12 spies into Canaan; 10 return with a negative report, inducing fear and rebellion in the Israelites (Num 13:25-33). The people complain against the LORD and desire to return to Egypt, even threatening to stone Moses, Aaron, Caleb, and Joshua (Num 14:1-10). God's glory appears, and the LORD declares His intention to strike them with pestilence and disinherit them (Num 14:10-12).

It is at this critical juncture that Moses appeals to God (Num 14:13-19). His argument is not based on Israel's merit, but entirely on God's character and His reputation among the surrounding nations (Num 14:13). Verse 14 specifically reminds God of how plainly He has demonstrated His presence, distinguishing Israel from all other nations, thus making their rebellion and God's proposed judgment a unique concern for His holy name. The prior context of the Exodus, Sinai covenant, and the wilderness journey continually demonstrates God's intimate involvement.

Numbers 14 14 Word analysis

• And they have heard (וְשָׁמְעוּ - ve'sham'u): "Heard" here implies more than just casual listening; it suggests having received and processed significant information, acknowledging, or coming to know. It highlights that the nations (mentioned in the preceding verse) are aware of YHWH's mighty deeds and intimate relationship with Israel.
• that you, O LORD (כִּי־אַתָּה יְהוָה - ki-attah YHWH): "YHWH" is the personal, covenant name of God, emphasizing His self-revealed, eternal nature. Moses appeals to the very identity of the One with whom Israel has a unique relationship, stressing His faithful, omnipresent, and powerful being.
• are in the midst of this people (בְּקֶרֶב הָעָם הַזֶּה - b'kerev ha'am hazzeh): "Midst" signifies close, intimate, active presence and involvement. It implies God's indwelling, active participation in the daily life, guidance, and protection of Israel, a highly unusual relationship between a deity and a people in the ancient world.
• for you, O LORD, are seen face to face (אֲשֶׁר עַיִן בְּעַיִן נִרְאָה - asher ayin b'ayin nir'ah): This is a powerful, rare expression in the Hebrew Bible. "Face to face" denotes direct, clear, and unmediated manifestation or interaction, unlike visions or dreams. It doesn't mean a physical visual form in its entirety, but rather a profoundly direct and tangible presence witnessed by the nation (e.g., at Sinai) as opposed to only a prophet, underscoring the uniqueness of God's revelation to all Israel. It contrasts sharply with pagan deities often seen as remote or shrouded in mystery.
• and your cloud stands over them (וַעֲנָנְךָ עֹמֵד עֲלֵהֶם - va'anan'kha omed aleihem): The "cloud" is the manifestation of God's glory (Shekinah) and presence, visibly guiding, covering, and protecting. "Stands over them" indicates a continuous, abiding presence, a constant divine canopy providing shade from the sun and acting as a physical representation of God's overshadowing care.
• and you go before them (וּבְעַמּוּד עָנָן יוֹמָם וּבְעַמּוּד אֵשׁ לַיְלָה - u'v'ammud anan yomam u'v'ammud esh lailah): This part describes God's direct, physical guidance.
• in a pillar of cloud by day (בְּעַמּוּד עָנָן יוֹמָם - b'ammud anan yomam): The cloud pillar served as a daily guide, signaling when and where to move, as well as providing shade in the desert heat.
• and in a pillar of fire by night (וּבְעַמּוּד אֵשׁ לַיְלָה - u'v'ammud esh lailah): The fire pillar illuminated their path in darkness, indicating God's constant vigil and protective presence even at night. This combined imagery highlights God's constant, palpable, and sovereign leadership.

Words-group analysis:

• "And they have heard that you, O LORD, are in the midst of this people": This phrase underlines God's international reputation, emphasizing that Israel's relationship with YHWH is no secret. The nations have received clear evidence of God's special, active, and abiding presence within His covenant community, elevating God's glory in the eyes of the world.
• "for you, O LORD, are seen face to face": This profound declaration points to the unparalleled, direct, and intimate revelation of God to Israel, not limited to a select few but a corporate experience at Sinai and throughout their journey. It highlights a unique divine transparency and accessibility compared to other deities.
• "and your cloud stands over them, and you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night": This composite picture powerfully conveys the practical, visual, and continuous nature of God's guidance and protection. These tangible manifestations serve as undeniable proofs of God's reality, commitment, and active leadership, distinguishing Israel as the people led by God Himself.

Numbers 14 14 Bonus section

• Polemic against Idolatry: This verse functions as a powerful polemic against the polytheistic and idolatrous practices of surrounding nations. While their gods were distant, confined to temples, or mere lifeless images, YHWH was dynamic, moving with His people, tangibly present, guiding, protecting, and revealing Himself in ways unparalleled by any other "god." The visible "cloud" and "pillars" debunked the notion of a local or impotent deity.
• Foreshadowing of Incarnation: The concept of God "in the midst" and "face to face" with His people subtly foreshadows the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity in Jesus Christ, Immanuel, "God with us." John 1:14 describes the Word dwelling (tabernacling) among us, and we "have seen His glory."
• Grace Amidst Rebellion: Despite Israel's gross sin and lack of faith, Moses' prayer does not appeal to their righteousness, but solely to God's glorious attributes and concern for His name. This highlights the foundational principle of grace in God's dealing with His people.

Numbers 14 14 Commentary

Numbers 14:14 captures the very essence of God's unique relationship with Israel in the wilderness. Moses reminds God of what He has made visible to all, not only to Israel but to the watching world. This verse acts as a theological mirror, reflecting God's glorious attributes back to Him in an appeal for mercy. It argues that to destroy Israel would contradict the consistent testimony of God's intimate presence, direct revelation, and unceasing guidance, thereby undermining His holy name among the nations. The physical manifestations—the cloud, the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night—were not mere symbols; they were the concrete, undeniable evidence of the Divine dwelling among them. Moses leverages the scandalous implications of divine abandonment for God's reputation, emphasizing that the nations have heard and seen YHWH's exceptional involvement. This verse profoundly underscores Israel's privilege and, tragically, their corresponding deep failure in rebelling against such overwhelming evidence of God's faithfulness.