Numbers 14:15

KJV

Now [if] thou shalt kill [all] this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

Now if thou shalt kill {H4191} all this people {H5971} as one {H259} man {H376}, then the nations {H1471} which have heard {H8085} the fame {H8088} of thee will speak {H559}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

If you kill off this people at a single stroke, then the nations that have heard of your reputation will say

Berean Standard Bible

If You kill this people as one man, the nations who have heard of Your fame will say,

American Standard Version

Now if thou shalt kill this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 14:15 captures a pivotal moment in Moses' fervent intercession for the rebellious Israelites at Kadesh-Barnea. After the nation's refusal to enter the Promised Land, prompting God's righteous anger and threat of annihilation, Moses appeals to the Lord's profound concern for His own reputation and glory among the surrounding Gentile nations. Moses argues that if God were to destroy His chosen people, whom He had so miraculously delivered, it would lead to blasphemous misinterpretations of His power, faithfulness, and character by those who had witnessed His mighty deeds.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Moses' impassioned plea to God following the disastrous report of ten of the twelve spies sent into Canaan. The people's faithless response, marked by weeping, complaining, and even a desire to appoint a new leader to return to Egypt, provoked God's righteous indignation ([Numbers 14:1-4](/numbers/14-1 "Numbers 14:1-4 - Israel's Rebellion")). In response, the Lord declared His intention to strike the Israelites with pestilence and disinherit them, proposing to make a greater nation of Moses ([Numbers 14:11-12](/numbers/14-11 "Numbers 14:11-12 - God's Anger and Threat")). Moses immediately steps into the role of intercessor, reminding God of His immense power and renown, specifically referencing the Exodus from Egypt and His covenant promises ([Numbers 14:13-14](/numbers/14-13 "Numbers 14:13-14 - Moses' Initial Plea")). Verse 15 then articulates the core of Moses' argument: the potential damage to God's reputation among the nations if He were to destroy His own people after such a grand display of power.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Numbers 14 occur approximately two years after the Exodus from Egypt, with Israel encamped at Kadesh-Barnea, on the cusp of entering the Promised Land. The "fame" of Yahweh, established through the plagues in Egypt and the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea ([Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Parting of the Red Sea")), had indeed spread throughout the ancient Near East. Nations like the Philistines, Edomites, Moabites, and Canaanites were aware of the mighty God who had delivered Israel from the superpower of Egypt. In the polytheistic worldview of the time, the strength and reputation of a people were often directly tied to the perceived power and effectiveness of their god. Thus, if Yahweh's chosen people were to be annihilated in the wilderness, it would be interpreted by surrounding nations not as a just judgment, but as a sign of Yahweh's inability to protect His people or fulfill His promises, thereby diminishing His glory in their eyes.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Unbelief and God's Judgment") and particularly in this verse is **God's Reputation and Glory**. Moses' primary concern is not merely Israel's survival, but how God's actions will be perceived by the world. He understands that God's honor is at stake, and the destruction of Israel would lead to a profound misinterpretation of His power and faithfulness. This highlights God's ultimate concern for His own name's sake, which is a recurring motif throughout Scripture. Another significant theme is **Moses' Intercession**. This passage powerfully illustrates Moses' role as a mediator, standing in the breach between God's righteous wrath and the people's sin. His prayer is not based on Israel's merit, but solely on God's attributes and His commitment to His own name, mirroring his earlier intercession after the golden calf incident ([Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses' Intercession for Israel")). Finally, the underlying tension of the entire chapter underscores the **Consequences of Unbelief**. Israel's profound lack of faith and disobedience brought them to the brink of destruction, serving as a stark warning about the spiritual repercussions of doubting God's promises and power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **kill (Hebrew, _nakah'_):** While often translated "to strike" or "to smite," in this context, when combined with "as one man," it denotes a swift, decisive, and comprehensive act of destruction or annihilation. It implies a total wiping out, leaving no survivors.
* **as one man (Hebrew, _k'ish echad'_):** This idiomatic phrase emphasizes the totality and uniformity of the destruction. It means "all of them," "without exception," or "completely." It paints a picture of a single, unified act of judgment that would consume the entire nation, as if they were a single individual.
* **fame (Hebrew, _shema'_):** This word refers to a "report," "rumor," "hearing," or "reputation." Here, it specifically denotes God's renowned name, His widespread reputation, and the reports of His mighty deeds that had spread throughout the region. It encompasses the awe and terror inspired by His miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage and His powerful presence among them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now [if] thou shalt kill [all] this people as one man":** Moses presents a hypothetical, yet gravely imminent, scenario to God. He acknowledges God's power to execute such a judgment, emphasizing the totality and comprehensiveness of the potential destruction. The phrase "as one man" underscores the idea of a complete wipeout, leaving no remnant.
* **"then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,":** This clause outlines the direct consequence of such an act from a human, external perspective. The "nations" refers to the surrounding Gentile peoples who had witnessed or heard reports of Yahweh's mighty acts on behalf of Israel. Moses argues that these nations, having heard of God's power and commitment to His people, would inevitably draw negative conclusions about His character if He were to destroy them.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 14:15 employs several powerful literary devices. Moses' statement functions as a **Hypothetical Statement**, presenting a "what if" scenario to highlight the dire consequences of God's proposed action. It is also a masterful **Rhetorical Appeal**, designed to persuade God not by appealing to Israel's merit (of which there was none), but by appealing to God's own honor and reputation. This appeal subtly uses **Anthropomorphism**, attributing to God a concern for His "fame" and how He is perceived by others, even though God's glory is inherent and not dependent on human opinion. Moses understands that God acts for His own name's sake. There is also an element of **Irony** at play: God's fame was established through His powerful acts of deliverance for Israel, yet the destruction of this very people would paradoxically undermine that fame in the eyes of the nations, suggesting a failure of power or faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse underscores a profound theological truth: God's ultimate concern is for the glory of His own name. Moses' argument is not an attempt to manipulate God, but a deep understanding of God's covenantal faithfulness and His commitment to revealing His character to the world. The destruction of Israel, after all the mighty acts of deliverance, would have created a theological scandal among the nations, leading them to conclude that Yahweh was either unable to save His people, or that He was capricious and unfaithful. God's decision to relent, as seen in the subsequent verses, demonstrates His sovereignty and His willingness to act for His name's sake, even when His people are undeserving. This passage highlights the tension between God's righteous judgment against sin and His merciful preservation of His covenant people for the sake of His global witness.

* [Exodus 32:11-12](/exodus/32-11 "Exodus 32:11-12 - Moses' Intercession for Israel after the Golden Calf")
* [Deuteronomy 9:28](/deuteronomy/9-28 "Deuteronomy 9:28 - Moses' Recounting of His Intercession")
* [Ezekiel 36:22-23](/ezekiel/36-22 "Ezekiel 36:22-23 - God Acts for His Holy Name's Sake")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 14:15 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. First, it powerfully illustrates the critical role of intercessory prayer. Moses, despite the people's egregious sin, stood in the gap, appealing to God's character and purposes rather than the people's merit. This calls us to pray boldly and persistently for others, especially when they are in rebellion or facing dire consequences, always appealing to God's mercy, faithfulness, and ultimate concern for His glory. Second, the verse reminds us of the profound responsibility we bear as God's people. Our lives, actions, and even our failures can either bring glory to God's name or cause it to be blasphemed among those who observe us. We are called to live in a way that consistently reflects God's character, understanding that our witness impacts how the world perceives Him. Finally, it provides comfort in God's patience and mercy. Despite Israel's repeated and severe provocations, God, in His sovereign grace, listened to Moses' plea, demonstrating His willingness to extend mercy even in the face of profound unbelief, always with His ultimate glory in mind.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my personal conduct and the conduct of the Church impact the reputation of God in the eyes of the world?**
* **In what ways can I emulate Moses' example of intercessory prayer for those who are struggling or rebellious?**
* **What does God's willingness to relent in this passage teach me about His character and His patience with His people?**
* **How does my understanding of God's concern for His own glory shape my prayers and my walk of faith?**

### FAQ
**Why was God going to destroy the Israelites at this point?**

Answer: God's intention to destroy the Israelites stemmed from their profound unbelief and rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea. After receiving the report from the twelve spies, ten of whom gave a fearful account, the people refused to enter the Promised Land, doubted God's power, and even proposed appointing a new leader to return to Egypt ([Numbers 14:1-4](/numbers/14-1 "Numbers 14:1-4 - Israel's Rebellion")). This act of defiance was a direct rejection of God's covenant promises and His demonstrated power, provoking His righteous anger and leading to His declaration of judgment ([Numbers 14:11-12](/numbers/14-11 "Numbers 14:11-12 - God's Threat to Destroy Israel")).

**What was the main argument Moses used to persuade God not to destroy them?**

Answer: Moses' main argument, as highlighted in Numbers 14:15, was God's reputation and glory among the surrounding nations. He reasoned that if God were to annihilate His chosen people, whom He had so miraculously delivered from Egypt, the nations who had heard of His fame would misinterpret His actions. They would conclude that God was either unable to bring His people into the land or that He had abandoned them, thereby diminishing His power and faithfulness in their eyes ([Numbers 14:13-14](/numbers/14-13 "Numbers 14:13-14 - Moses' Appeal to God's Reputation")). Moses appealed to God's own commitment to His name and His global witness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 14:15, with Moses' intercession, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate intercession of Jesus Christ. Moses stood between a holy God and a sinful people, appealing to God's character and reputation. Yet, Moses' intercession, while effective in averting immediate destruction, could not ultimately save the generation from the consequences of their unbelief (they still died in the wilderness, [Numbers 14:29-35](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29-35 - The Consequences of Unbelief")). In contrast, Jesus Christ is the perfect and eternal intercessor, who not only pleads for His people but also perfectly fulfills God's righteous demands through His atoning sacrifice. His death on the cross upheld God's justice against sin while simultaneously demonstrating His boundless mercy, ensuring that God's name is supremely glorified in salvation ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Displayed Through Christ")). Unlike Israel's repeated failures that threatened God's reputation, Christ's perfect obedience and ultimate sacrifice permanently secure God's glory and His people's salvation. The new covenant community, the Church, is preserved not by its own merit, but by the finished work of the Lamb of God, ensuring that God's "fame" is eternally magnified among all nations through the gospel ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9-10 - A Multitude from Every Nation Worships God")).

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

Judges 6:16

And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.