Numbers 14 26

Numbers 14:26 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

Numbers 14:26 nkjv

And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,

Numbers 14:26 niv

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron:

Numbers 14:26 esv

And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,

Numbers 14:26 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,

Numbers 14 verses

Numbers 14 26 Meaning

Numbers 14:26 serves as the divine prelude to God's solemn declaration of judgment and consequences for the rebellious Israelite generation. It signifies the commencement of a direct divine address from the covenant LORD to His chosen mediators, Moses and Aaron, following the widespread rebellion sparked by the unfaithful spies' report. This verse establishes that the ensuing words are not mere human counsel but a definitive word from the Sovereign God concerning the destiny of the unfaithful congregation.

Numbers 14 26 Context

Numbers chapter 14 describes the critical aftermath of the twelve spies' exploration of Canaan. Ten spies delivered a faithless report, emphasizing the strength of the inhabitants and their fortified cities, effectively painting God as unable to fulfill His promises. This caused the entire congregation of Israel to weep and complain against Moses, Aaron, and the LORD Himself, even proposing to appoint a new leader to return to Egypt. Caleb and Joshua alone stood firm, attempting to reassure the people of God's power and promise. The rebellious people threatened to stone them. At this pivotal moment, the glory of the LORD appeared, and God expressed His anger, threatening to destroy the entire nation. Moses interceded valiantly, appealing to God's character and His reputation among the nations. The LORD, in His mercy, heard Moses' plea and chose not to utterly destroy them, but instead, declared a profound judgment. Numbers 14:26 marks the beginning of this divine pronouncement of judgment, a formal address to the leaders who would then convey it to the rest of the faithless generation.

Numbers 14 26 Word analysis

• And: Hebrew "waw" conjunction (ו). This simple connective links the previous narrative (the people's rebellion, Moses' intercession) to this immediate divine communication. It indicates a progression of events and divine response.
• the LORD: Hebrew "Yahweh" (יהוה). This is God's personal covenant name, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature, and His committed relationship with Israel. The use of "Yahweh" highlights that it is the very God with whom they have a covenant, and against whom they rebelled, who now speaks in judgment. It underscores His sovereignty and covenant faithfulness even in dispensing justice.
• spake: Hebrew "davar" (דָּבַר). This verb implies a direct, intentional, and authoritative utterance. It is not merely casual speech but a declaration or command, often involving significant consequences. God is actively communicating His will and decision.
• unto Moses: Moses (מֹשֶׁה, Moshe) is the primary prophet and mediator of the Old Covenant. God consistently communicated His will, laws, and judgments through Moses to the Israelites. His unique relationship with God is constantly affirmed throughout the Pentateuch.
• and unto Aaron: Aaron (אַהֲרֹן, Aharon) served as Moses' spokesman in Egypt and later became the first High Priest, representing the spiritual leadership of Israel. God speaking to both Moses (leader/lawgiver) and Aaron (priest/spiritual guide) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this divine decree, encompassing both civil and religious aspects of the community. It also signifies the grave importance of the message, directed at the entire community through their highest representatives.
• saying: Hebrew "le'mor" (לֵאמֹר). This infinitive construction is a common introductory formula in biblical narrative to introduce direct speech. It indicates that the subsequent words are the precise revelation from the speaker – in this case, direct words from Yahweh. It adds a formal emphasis and signifies the direct quote of God's own words.

Numbers 14 26 Bonus section

This introductory verse is a foundational stylistic element in the Torah, emphasizing the divine origin of the subsequent decrees, laws, or judgments. Its recurrence throughout Numbers and the wider Pentateuch trains the reader to recognize that what follows is Yahweh's direct will. In the context of the Numbers 14 narrative, this "divine heading" emphasizes the severity of the rebellion and the definitive nature of the resulting judgment – a judgment directly proportional to the magnitude of Israel's covenant violation and unbelief. The precise identification of the recipients (Moses and Aaron) also ensures that there can be no question about the authoritative chain of command through which this significant pronouncement will be communicated to the grumbling congregation.

Numbers 14 26 Commentary

Numbers 14:26 introduces a critical shift in the narrative, moving from human rebellion and divine wrath to a formal divine declaration of consequence. This brief statement underscores several profound truths. First, it affirms God's continued sovereignty and active involvement in the affairs of His people. Despite their faithlessness, the covenant God (Yahweh) remains the ultimate authority, actively addressing their sin. Second, it highlights the established divine channel of communication: through Moses and Aaron. They are the appointed mediators through whom God's judgments and commands are delivered to the people, reinforcing their leadership roles. The phrase "spake unto" implies an intentional, direct, and authoritative word from God, leaving no room for misunderstanding regarding its divine origin. This specific introduction sets the solemn tone for the coming judgment, marking a significant turning point in Israel's wilderness journey. It teaches that even after rebellion and divine intercession, there are indelible consequences for disobedience to God's word and mistrust of His character.