Numbers 27 14

Numbers 27:14 kjv

For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.

Numbers 27:14 nkjv

For in the Wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against My command to hallow Me at the waters before their eyes." (These are the waters of Meribah, at Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin.)

Numbers 27:14 niv

for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin, both of you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes." (These were the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.)

Numbers 27:14 esv

because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes." (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)

Numbers 27:14 nlt

for you both rebelled against my instructions in the wilderness of Zin. When the people of Israel rebelled, you failed to demonstrate my holiness to them at the waters." (These are the waters of Meribah at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)

Numbers 27 verses

Numbers 27 14 Meaning

(p)This verse specifies the reason for Moses' and Aaron's inability to enter the Promised Land: their direct rebellion against God's command in the wilderness of Zin, during the contention at Meribah. Their sin involved a failure to properly represent God's holiness and power before the eyes of the Israelites, instead acting out of frustration and disbelief, thus dishonoring God in a public manner.

Numbers 27 14 Context

(p)Numbers chapter 27 opens with God commanding Moses to ascend Mount Abarim to view the Promised Land before his death, specifically reiterating that Moses would not enter due to his past disobedience at Meribah. This divine decree leads directly into the subsequent account of the daughters of Zelophehad seeking their inheritance and Moses appointing Joshua as his successor. Historically, this occurs at the end of Israel's 40-year wilderness wandering, as they are poised on the borders of Canaan. The repeated emphasis on Moses' exclusion underscores God's absolute standard of holiness and His severe judgment even upon His most devoted servants when His direct commands are not honored. It sets a precedent for leadership accountability before God and the assembly.

Numbers 27 14 Word analysis

(ul)

• For you rebelled (מְרִיתֶ֤ם, m'ritem): The verb indicates a deliberate act of defiant resistance or transgression against authority. It’s not a mere oversight but an active rejection of God’s stated will. It carries the weight of conscious insubordination.
• against my command (עַל־פִּי֙, al-piy): Literally "against my mouth." This phrase emphasizes that Moses' disobedience was against God's direct, spoken instruction. It was not a misinterpretation but a clear deviation from what God specifically articulated (in Num 20:8, to speak to the rock).
• in the wilderness of Zin: This provides a specific geographical marker. The wilderness of Zin was a significant arid region in the Negev, crucial during Israel's wanderings, emphasizing the factual, documented nature of the transgression.
• during the strife of the congregation: Refers to the contentious quarreling of the Israelites against Moses and God over lack of water, which precipitated the Meribah incident. This context, while challenging, did not excuse Moses' reaction.
• to sanctify me (לְהַקְדִּישֵׁ֙נִי֙, l'haqdísheniy): The purpose of the instruction given to Moses. To "sanctify" God means to acknowledge, display, or treat Him as holy, separate, and glorious. Moses was to demonstrate God’s majestic power and faithfulness, not his own frustration or unbelief.
• at the waters: The context of the miracle God commanded, which was to provide water from a rock. This specific action was crucial for the entire community.
• before their eyes: Signifies the public nature of the act. The congregation of Israel witnessed Moses' failure, which impacted their perception of God's character and authority, making the sin more grievous in its consequences.
• (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh.): This parenthetical clarifies and firmly identifies the precise historical event. "Meribah" means "contention" or "strife," perfectly capturing the mood of the occasion and the essence of Moses' transgression. Kadesh refers to Kadesh-barnea, a key site in the wilderness.

(ul)

• "rebelled against my command": This phrase highlights that the heart of the sin was an act of disbelieving disobedience, choosing Moses’ own frustrated reaction over God’s specific instructions. This directly affronted God's authority and wisdom.
• "sanctify me at the waters before their eyes": This emphasizes God's primary concern: His holiness and glory. Moses' actions prevented a pure display of God’s miraculous provision and His character, instead injecting human anger and doubt. God expects His glory to be upheld especially by those whom He empowers publicly.

Numbers 27 14 Bonus section

(h2)Bonus section(p)The incident at Meribah (Num 20) contrasts with an earlier event at Rephidim (Exod 17), also called Meribah, where Moses was commanded to strike the rock to bring forth water. This highlights that God's commands are specific to each situation, and past obedience does not permit deviation from current instruction. Moses' sin was exacerbated by the cumulative effect of forty years of Israelite rebellion, leading him to an outburst that grieved God. Despite Moses' prominent position as God's chosen leader and law-giver, his failure here underscores God's unwavering consistency in judgment and the inviolability of His holiness. The provision of water for the people still occurred despite the sin of Moses and Aaron, demonstrating God's continued faithfulness to His covenant people even amidst their leaders' failings.

Numbers 27 14 Commentary

(p)Numbers 27:14 serves as a succinct divine summation of Moses and Aaron's crucial failure that sealed their exclusion from the Promised Land. The essence of their sin, committed at Meribah, was not merely hitting the rock, but doing so with anger and an explicit display of unbelief by exclaiming "shall we bring water for you out of this rock?" (Num 20:10), instead of speaking to the rock as commanded. This indicated a momentary snatching of God's glory and a failure to showcase His majestic holiness through simple obedience. In striking the rock, Moses failed to present God as the miraculous provider whose power resided in His spoken word, potentially implying a human effort was required, rather than purely divine. This public dishonor to God's Name and attribute of holiness, particularly by those nearest and most responsible, demonstrated God's uncompromising demand for obedience and reverential awe from His leaders. It underscored that proximity to God means greater accountability, and that even the greatest leaders are subject to His righteous judgment for unbelief and dishonoring Him.