Numbers 14:13

KJV

And Moses said unto the LORD, Then the Egyptians shall hear [it], (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;)

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} said {H559} unto the LORD {H3068}, Then the Egyptians {H4714} shall hear {H8085} it,(for thou broughtest up {H5927} this people {H5971} in thy might {H3581} from among {H7130} them;)

Complete Jewish Bible

However, Moshe replied to ADONAI, "When the Egyptians hear about this -[and they will,] because it was from among them that you, by your strength, brought this people up -

Berean Standard Bible

But Moses said to the LORD, “The Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought this people from among them.

American Standard Version

And Moses said unto Jehovah, Then the Egyptians will hear it; for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 14:13 captures Moses' fervent intercession for the rebellious Israelites at Kadesh-Barnea. Following the disheartening report of the ten spies and the people's subsequent grumbling and desire to return to Egypt, God threatens to disinherit them and raise a new nation from Moses. In this pivotal moment, Moses appeals to God, not on the basis of Israel's merit, but on the preservation of God's own reputation and glory among the nations, particularly the Egyptians, who had witnessed His mighty deliverance of Israel from bondage. This verse profoundly highlights Moses' selfless concern for God's honor and his vital role as a faithful mediator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 14:13 is strategically placed at a dramatic climax in the wilderness narrative, immediately following the catastrophic consequences of the spy mission. In [Numbers 13](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13 - The Spies Sent to Canaan"), twelve tribal leaders are dispatched to reconnoiter the land of Canaan. However, ten of them return with a fearful, faithless report, exaggerating the strength of the inhabitants and sowing widespread discouragement among the people ([Numbers 13:26-33](/numbers/13-26-33 "Numbers 13:26-33 - The Spies' Discouraging Report")). This negative report ignites a collective lamentation, grumbling against Yahweh and Moses, and a defiant desire to return to Egypt and appoint a new leader ([Numbers 14:1-4](/numbers/14-1-4 "Numbers 14:1-4 - Israel's Rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea")). Despite the courageous and faithful plea of Joshua and Caleb ([Numbers 14:6-9](/numbers/14-6-9 "Numbers 14:6-9 - Joshua and Caleb's Faithful Exhortation")), the people refuse to listen. This provokes God's fierce anger, leading to His threat to strike the nation with pestilence and disinherit them, offering instead to make Moses into a greater nation ([Numbers 14:11-12](/numbers/14-11-12 "Numbers 14:11-12 - God's Judgment and Offer to Moses")). It is precisely at this critical juncture that Moses steps forward, not to accept the divine offer for personal aggrandizement, but to passionately intercede for the very people who had just rejected God's plan and his own leadership.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Numbers 14 transpire approximately two years after the momentous Exodus from Egypt, with the Israelite encampment situated at Kadesh-Barnea, on the cusp of the promised land of Canaan. The broader ancient Near Eastern world, from which Israel had recently been delivered, was characterized by polytheistic beliefs, where the perceived power and reputation of a nation's deity were inextricably linked to that nation's success or failure in battle and in the fulfillment of its divine promises. The Exodus itself was not merely a historical event but a monumental, public demonstration of Yahweh's absolute supremacy over the gods of Egypt ([Exodus 12:12](/exodus/12-12 "Exodus 12:12 - God's Judgment on Egypt's Gods")) and an undeniable display of His unique power among all nations ([Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "Exodus 9:16 - God's Power Displayed to Pharaoh")). Moses' appeal in this verse directly taps into this prevailing cultural understanding: if God were to destroy Israel in the wilderness, it could be grievously misconstrued by the Egyptians and other surrounding nations as a sign of His weakness, His inability to complete what He started, or His lack of power compared to their own deities. This would bring profound dishonor to His holy name, a concept of paramount importance in the divine-human relationship within this cultural framework.

* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **God's Reputation and Glory**. Moses' primary argument is deeply rooted in his concern for how God's actions would be perceived by those who had witnessed His mighty acts, emphasizing that God's honor is intrinsically linked to His faithfulness to His covenant people, even when they are rebellious. This theme resonates profoundly with later prophetic appeals for God to act for the sake of His name, as powerfully articulated in [Ezekiel 36:22-23](/ezekiel/36-22-23 "Ezekiel 36:22-23 - God's Zeal for His Holy Name"). Secondly, the verse highlights **Divine Might and Deliverance**. Moses reminds the Lord of the undeniable power displayed in the Exodus, stating, "for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them." This foundational act of salvation, meticulously detailed in [Exodus 12:51](/exodus/12-51 "Exodus 12:51 - God Bringing Israel Out of Egypt") and later recounted in [Deuteronomy 6:21](/deuteronomy/6-21 "Deuteronomy 6:21 - Remembering God's Mighty Hand"), serves as the bedrock for Moses' impassioned appeal for continued mercy and faithfulness. Finally, the passage profoundly illustrates **Moses' Intercessory Role**. Moses consistently stands in the gap for a sinful and ungrateful people, appealing to God's immutable character and His past actions rather than the people's meager merit. This role powerfully foreshadows the ultimate intercessory work of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest and Advocate, who continually pleads for His people ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood and Intercession")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This verb (H8085) signifies more than mere auditory perception; it implies intelligent apprehension, attention, and often, subsequent obedience or response. In Moses' plea, his concern is that the Egyptians will "hear" (i.e., perceive, understand, and interpret) the news of Israel's destruction. This hearing would lead them to an unfavorable judgment of Yahweh's power and faithfulness, thereby diminishing His reputation among the nations. It suggests an active, discerning awareness that impacts external perception of God's character.
* **Might (Hebrew, _kôach'_):** This noun (H3581) denotes vigor, strength, power, or force. In this context, it refers specifically to the overwhelming, inherent, and active divine power demonstrated by Yahweh. Moses reminds God of the decisive "might" by which He crushed Egypt and liberated Israel, a display of superior strength evident to all. This word emphasizes God's capacity and means to accomplish His purposes, contrasting sharply with any perceived inability if He were to abandon His people in the wilderness.
* **Broughtest up (Hebrew, _ʻâlâh'_):** This verb (H5927), a primitive root meaning "to ascend" or "to go up," is used here in its causative sense, "to cause to go up" or "to bring up/out." It powerfully refers to God's decisive act of leading Israel out of Egypt, the foundational event of the Exodus. Moses employs this term to underscore Yahweh's direct, active, and powerful involvement in their initial deliverance, thereby establishing a precedent for His continued faithfulness and His capacity to complete the work He began.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses said unto the LORD,"**: This introductory clause marks the initiation of Moses' fervent and courageous intercession. It underscores his unique and privileged position as God's chosen mediator and highlights his immediate, selfless response to God's just threat of judgment. Despite the people's recent rebellion against both God and himself, Moses prioritizes their salvation and, more importantly, God's honor above all else.
* **"Then the Egyptians shall hear [it],"**: Moses strategically shifts the focus from Israel's egregious sin and God's righteous wrath to the potential repercussions on God's reputation among the surrounding nations. The implied "it" refers to the devastating news of Israel's destruction in the wilderness. Moses keenly understands that such an event would be interpreted by the Egyptians, who had been eyewitnesses to the miraculous Exodus, as a sign of God's inability or weakness to complete His redemptive work, thereby bringing profound dishonor to His holy name. This appeal is a powerful rhetorical strategy, placing God's unblemished glory at the forefront of his argument.
* **"(for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;)"**: This parenthetical clause provides the profound theological and historical foundation for Moses' concern about God's reputation. It serves as a potent, respectful reminder to God of His own past, undeniable actions. The Exodus was not merely a clandestine escape but a grand, public, and miraculous demonstration of Yahweh's supreme power ("in thy might") over Pharaoh and all the gods of Egypt. Moses' argument is that if God were now to destroy the very people He so powerfully delivered, it would effectively negate the glory and majesty of that initial act in the eyes of the very people from whom Israel was liberated, implying a divine failure to complete what was so mightily begun.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 14:13 is rich with significant literary devices that amplify its theological depth and rhetorical force. The most prominent is **Intercession**, as Moses courageously steps into the chasm between a holy God and a persistently sinful people, pleading passionately on their behalf. This act is not predicated on the people's merit but solely on God's immutable character and His covenant faithfulness. Moses' speech is a masterful **Rhetorical Appeal**, meticulously crafted to persuade God by appealing to His own self-interest in maintaining His supreme glory and unblemished reputation among the nations. He employs a compelling **Argument from Precedent**, reminding God of His past mighty act of deliverance ("thou broughtest up this people in thy might"), thereby implying that God's faithfulness and omnipotence should continue to be displayed. This also functions as a form of **Remonstrance**, where a human figure respectfully, yet boldly, challenges a divine decision based on higher divine principles. Underlying the entire verse, and indeed Moses' entire plea, is the profound theme of **Divine Honor/Glory**, as Moses' ultimate concern transcends the mere survival of Israel to focus on the preservation of God's unblemished name in the eyes of the world.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 14:13 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's glory, His unwavering faithfulness, and the transformative power of intercessory prayer. Moses' appeal demonstrates that God's actions are not isolated events but possess far-reaching implications for His reputation and witness in the world. He argues that God's character, as vividly revealed in the Exodus, demands a consistent display of both power and mercy, even in the face of human rebellion. This highlights the crucial theological concept that God acts not only for humanity's sake but, ultimately and supremely, for the sake of His own holy name, ensuring that His glory is not diminished or misunderstood. Moses' prayer effectively shifts the divine focus from Israel's deserving judgment to God's enduring commitment to His covenant and His sovereign purpose for His people, which intrinsically includes being a radiant witness to the nations.

* [Exodus 32:11-12](/exodus/32-11-12 "Moses' Intercession After the Golden Calf")
* [Deuteronomy 9:26-29](/deuteronomy/9-26-29 "Moses' Prayer for Israel's Deliverance")
* [Ezekiel 20:9](/ezekiel/20-9 "God Acting for His Name's Sake in the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Moses' intercession in Numbers 14:13 serves as a timeless and powerful paradigm for both prayer and spiritual leadership. It profoundly teaches us that true spiritual leadership involves selflessly standing in the gap for others, even when they are undeserving of mercy, and courageously advocating for them before God. Our prayers, therefore, should not be solely confined to our personal needs or desires, but must expand to encompass God's greater glory and how His name is honored and hallowed in the world. Like Moses, we are called to remember God's past faithfulness and His mighty acts, drawing immense confidence from His unchanging character and His proven power. When we face seemingly insurmountable challenges, witness the rebellion of others, or confront situations that threaten God's honor, we can boldly appeal to God's consistent nature and His unwavering commitment to His own reputation. This verse encourages a bold, selfless, and profoundly God-centered approach to prayer, reminding us that God's honor is intrinsically linked to His people's ultimate salvation and perseverance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Moses' profound concern for God's reputation challenge my own motivations in prayer and service?**
* **In what specific ways can I, like Moses, appeal to God's past faithfulness and mighty acts when facing difficult circumstances or interceding for others?**
* **How does the concept of God acting primarily for the sake of His own name impact my understanding of His justice and His boundless mercy?**

### FAQ
**Why does Moses appeal to God's reputation among the Egyptians rather than Israel's suffering?**

Answer: Moses' appeal to God's reputation among the Egyptians, rather than directly to Israel's suffering, is a profound theological and strategic move. Firstly, it acknowledges God's absolute justice; Israel's rebellion genuinely deserved severe judgment, and appealing solely on their suffering might undermine God's holiness and righteousness. Secondly, and more significantly, it elevates God's glory as the ultimate concern. Moses understands that God's primary motivation is the hallowing of His own name and the demonstration of His unique power and faithfulness to all nations. The Exodus was a public spectacle where God's might was displayed against Egypt and its gods ([Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "Exodus 9:16 - God's Power Displayed to Pharaoh")). If God were now to destroy Israel in the wilderness, the Egyptians, who had witnessed His power in bringing them out, might interpret it as His inability to complete the task, thus diminishing His glory and making His earlier acts seem incomplete or ineffective. Moses appeals to God's consistency and His unwavering commitment to His own honor, recognizing that God's name being glorified is a higher good than merely sparing a rebellious people. This approach aligns perfectly with God's own stated purpose in delivering Israel, which was to make His name known throughout the entire earth ([Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "God's Purpose in the Plagues")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 14:13, with Moses' profound intercession, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect intercessory work of Jesus Christ. Moses, standing heroically in the gap for a rebellious and utterly undeserving people, appeals to God's unchanging character and His past acts of power, primarily His glory and reputation among the nations. This prefigures Christ, our great High Priest, who continuously and perfectly intercedes for His people at the right hand of God ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood and Intercession")). Unlike Moses, whose intercession was based on God's past might and reputation, Christ's intercession is founded upon His own perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, which is the ultimate and most glorious display of God's power and boundless love ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Blood and Eternal Redemption")). The "might" by which God brought Israel out of the physical bondage of Egypt finds its infinitely greater fulfillment in the resurrection power of Christ, which brings believers out of the spiritual bondage of sin and death into glorious new life ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Incomparably Great Power in Christ")). Just as Moses appealed for God's name to be honored among the nations, Christ's redemptive work supremely ensures that God's glory is revealed, not through the destruction of His people, but through their complete salvation and transformation, bringing eternal glory to God the Father through Him ([John 17:4](/john/17-4 "John 17:4 - Jesus Glorifies the Father")). Christ is the greater Moses, not only leading a new exodus from spiritual slavery but also perfectly fulfilling the role of the advocate who continually pleads for His own, ensuring that God's name is eternally glorified through His redeemed and sanctified people ([1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Jesus Christ, Our Advocate")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 106:23

Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy [them].

Ezekiel 20:9

But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they [were], in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.

Exodus 32:11

And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?

Exodus 32:14

And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

Deuteronomy 32:27

Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, [and] lest they should say, Our hand [is] high, and the LORD hath not done all this.

Joshua 7:8

O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies!

Joshua 7:9

For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear [of it], and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?