Numbers 11:23

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.

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, Is the LORD'S {H3068} hand {H3027} waxed short {H7114}? thou shalt see {H7200} now whether my word {H1697} shall come to pass {H7136} unto thee or not.

ADONAI answered Moshe, "Has ADONAI's arm grown short? Now you will see whether what I said will happen or not!"

The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.”

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

Commentary

Numbers 11:23 (KJV) presents a pivotal moment where God directly challenges Moses' lack of faith, reaffirming His boundless power and unwavering commitment to His promises.

Context

This verse occurs amidst the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their Exodus from Egypt. Despite God's miraculous provision of manna, the people grew weary and began to complain bitterly, longing for the variety of food they had in Egypt (Numbers 11:4-6). Overwhelmed by their incessant demands and the immense burden of leadership, Moses himself expresses deep despair to the LORD, feeling utterly incapable of satisfying such a vast multitude (Numbers 11:11-15). God responds by promising to provide meat for a whole month, so much that they would loathe it (Numbers 11:18-20). Moses, looking at the practical impossibility of feeding 600,000 men plus women and children in the desert, questions how this could possibly happen (Numbers 11:21-22). Verse 23 is God's direct, powerful, and rhetorical reply to Moses' doubt.

Key Themes

  • God's Omnipotence: The core message is the limitless power of God. The rhetorical question, "Is the LORD'S hand waxed short?" directly challenges the notion that God's ability could ever be constrained or insufficient. It underscores His capacity to achieve what seems impossible to human understanding.
  • Divine Faithfulness: God's declaration, "thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not," serves as a firm assurance of His commitment to fulfill His promises. It's a reminder that God's word is reliable and always comes to pass, regardless of circumstances or human doubt.
  • Challenging Human Doubt: This verse highlights how even great leaders like Moses can succumb to doubt when faced with overwhelming challenges. God's response is a patient but firm rebuke, designed to reorient Moses' perspective from human limitations to divine power.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Is the LORD'S hand waxed short?" translates from the Hebrew "Haqatsar yad YHWH?" (הֲקָצַר יַד יְהוָה). The word "qatsar" (קָצַר) means "to shorten," "to be impatient," or "to be grieved." In this context, "waxed short" signifies a limitation, a diminishing of power, or an inability to accomplish. God's question is rhetorical, asserting that His "hand" (a common biblical metaphor for His power, strength, and action) is never shortened or limited. This echoes other rhetorical questions from God, such as "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" in Genesis 18:14 regarding Sarah's ability to conceive.

Practical Application

Numbers 11:23 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today. When faced with seemingly insurmountable problems, personal limitations, or global crises, it's easy to doubt God's ability to intervene or provide. This verse powerfully reminds us that God's power is not diminished by our circumstances or our lack of faith. It encourages us to:

  • Trust in God's Unlimited Power: Recognize that no problem is too great for God. His resources are infinite, and His hand is never "shortened."
  • Rely on His Promises: Hold fast to God's word, knowing that what He promises, He will surely bring to pass (Isaiah 55:11).
  • Overcome Doubt: When doubt creeps in, recall God's rhetorical question to Moses. It challenges us to look beyond our immediate limitations and fix our eyes on the omnipotent God who is faithful to His word.

This passage serves as an eternal testament to God's sovereignty and His unwavering ability to provide beyond human comprehension, even when His chosen servants falter in faith.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 59:1

    ¶ Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

  • Isaiah 50:2

    Wherefore, when I came, [was there] no man? when I called, [was there] none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because [there is] no water, and dieth for thirst.

  • Numbers 23:19

    God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

  • Ezekiel 12:25

    For I [am] the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Genesis 18:14

    Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

  • Matthew 19:26

    But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

  • Luke 1:37

    For with God nothing shall be impossible.
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