Numbers 14:16

KJV

Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Because the LORD {H3068} was not {H1115} able {H3201} to bring {H935} this people {H5971} into the land {H776} which he sware {H7650} unto them, therefore he hath slain {H7819} them in the wilderness {H4057}.

Complete Jewish Bible

that the reason ADONAI slaughtered this people in the desert is that he wasn't able to bring them into the land which he swore to give them.

Berean Standard Bible

‘Because the LORD was unable to bring this people into the land He swore to give them, He has slaughtered them in the wilderness.’

American Standard Version

Because Jehovah was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 14:16 captures a pivotal moment in Moses' intercession for Israel following their profound rebellion in the wilderness. After the majority of the spies delivered a fearful report, the Israelites despaired and threatened to appoint a new leader to return to Egypt, provoking God's righteous wrath and His threat to disinherit them. In this verse, Moses appeals to God's reputation among the surrounding nations, particularly the Egyptians, arguing that if God were to destroy His chosen people, it would be gravely misinterpreted as a sign of divine weakness or inability to fulfill His promises, rather than a just judgment. Moses' rhetorical plea underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and the profound implications of His actions for His universal renown and glory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 14:16 is deeply embedded within the immediate aftermath of the spies' return from Canaan, a narrative detailed in [Numbers 13](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13 - The Spies Sent into Canaan"). Ten of the twelve spies delivered a discouraging report, emphasizing the formidable strength of the inhabitants and their fortified cities, which instilled paralyzing fear and despair in the Israelite congregation, as recorded in [Numbers 13:28-33](/numbers/13-28-33 "Numbers 13:28-33 - The Discouraging Report of the Spies"). Despite the faithful and courageous exhortations of Caleb and Joshua, who urged trust in God's power ([Numbers 14:6-9](/numbers/14-6-9 "Numbers 14:6-9 - Caleb and Joshua's Faithful Exhortation")), the people succumbed to rebellion, weeping, complaining, and even proposing to choose a new leader to return to the perceived security of Egypt ([Numbers 14:1-4](/numbers/14-1-4 "Numbers 14:1-4 - Israel's Rebellion and Desire to Return to Egypt")). This profound act of unbelief provoked God's righteous anger, leading Him to threaten to strike them with pestilence and disinherit them, offering to make a new, greater nation from Moses ([Numbers 14:11-12](/numbers/14-11-12 "Numbers 14:11-12 - God's Threat to Destroy Israel")). It is in direct response to this divine judgment that Moses launches his impassioned intercession, appealing to God's character and reputation, culminating in the powerful argument presented in Numbers 14:16.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the reputation and power of a nation's deity were inextricably linked to the success and fate of that nation and its people. If Israel, a people miraculously delivered from the mighty hand of Egypt by Yahweh, were to perish in the wilderness, the surrounding nations, especially the Egyptians who had witnessed the devastating plagues and the miraculous Red Sea crossing, would undoubtedly interpret it as a profound failure of Yahweh's power or His inability to fulfill His promises. Such an outcome would bring immense discredit and dishonor to the name of the LORD. Moses' argument masterfully leverages this pervasive cultural understanding, appealing directly to God's concern for His own glory and the perception of His omnipotence among the Gentiles. God had already demonstrated His unparalleled power over the gods of Egypt ([Exodus 12:12](/exodus/12-12 "Exodus 12:12 - Judgment on Egypt's Gods")), and His continuing acts were consistently meant to reveal His unique sovereignty to all peoples, as declared in [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "Exodus 9:16 - God's Power Displayed to Pharaoh").

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prominent throughout the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. The primary concern articulated is **God's Reputation and Glory**, as Moses appeals directly to the preservation of God's holy name among the nations ([Exodus 32:11-12](/exodus/32-11-12 "Exodus 32:11-12 - Moses' Appeal to God's Reputation")). Moses profoundly understood that God's actions, even in the execution of judgment, must ultimately uphold His perfect character and magnify His supreme power. Another crucial theme is the stark contrast between **Divine Faithfulness vs. Human Unbelief**. While the verse presents a human perception of God's "ability," it starkly highlights the tension between God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Covenant with Abraham")) and the Israelites' profound and persistent unbelief. It was the people's deep-seated lack of faith that truly prevented their entry into the Promised Land, not any deficiency on God's part, a truth powerfully reiterated in [Hebrews 3:19](/hebrews/3-19 "Hebrews 3:19 - Consequences of Unbelief")). Finally, the passage serves as a powerful testament to **The Power of Intercession**. Moses' bold and selfless appeal to God's character and purposes effectively averted immediate divine wrath, showcasing the profound impact of a mediator's prayer on behalf of a sinful people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **not (Hebrew, בִּלְתִּי, _biltîy'_):** This particle, often used with a prepositional prefix, functions as a strong negative, meaning "not," "except," or "without." In Numbers 14:16, its presence emphasizes the perceived absence of ability from the perspective of the surrounding nations. Moses' rhetorical argument hinges on the idea that if Israel were to perish, the nations would conclude that the LORD was "not" capable of fulfilling His promise.
* **able (Hebrew, יָכֹל, _yakol'_):** This primitive root means "to be able," "to prevail," or "to overcome." When combined with the negative particle "not" (`biltîy`), it forms the core of Moses' rhetorical appeal. Moses is not questioning God's omnipotence or inherent power. Instead, he employs this term to articulate how the surrounding pagan nations, unfamiliar with the intricacies of God's covenant and His just judgments, might perceive God's actions. If God were to destroy His people in the wilderness, those nations might conclude that Yahweh lacked the power or ability to complete His promise of bringing Israel into the land. Moses is appealing to God's concern for His own reputation and the potential for misinterpretation by those who do not know Him.
* **slain (Hebrew, שָׁחַט, _shâchaṭ'_):** This primitive root means "to slaughter" (often in sacrifice or massacre), "to kill," or "to smite." It denotes a decisive, destructive, and often violent act. Moses uses this strong term to emphasize the severity of the judgment God threatened. The implication is that if God were to "slay" His people in the wilderness, it would appear to the nations that He had failed to protect them or fulfill His promise, rather than that He had justly punished their rebellion. This perceived failure would severely diminish God's glory in their eyes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them":** Moses presents the potential misinterpretation by the nations. The "because" clause introduces the perceived reason for God's action from an external, pagan viewpoint. This is a rhetorical argument, not a statement of theological fact regarding God's inherent power. Moses is articulating what the nations *would say* about God's perceived inability to complete His covenant promise to bring Israel into the Promised Land, a land He had sworn to give them through an unbreakable oath. The nations, observing Israel's demise, would attribute it to a divine deficiency, rather than Israel's sin.
* **"therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness."**: This is the dire consequence, as it would be interpreted by the surrounding nations. If Israel were to perish in the wilderness, the immediate and damning conclusion drawn by the surrounding peoples would be that God had failed in His mission, and His power was insufficient to overcome the challenges of bringing His people to their destined inheritance. This would be a severe blow to God's reputation and glory, which Moses desperately seeks to preserve and uphold. The perceived inability to complete the task would lead to the conclusion that He was forced to destroy them.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 14:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey Moses' urgent plea. Foremost is **Rhetorical Argument**, where Moses presents a hypothetical scenario and its misinterpretation by external observers to persuade God. He is not stating a theological truth about God's inherent inability but rather arguing from the perspective of God's reputation among the nations. This is closely linked to **Anthropomorphism**, as the verse attributes a human limitation ("not able") to God. This is not a literal truth about the omnipotent God but a strategic framing by Moses to appeal to God's divine concern for His own glory and how His actions are perceived by those who do not know Him. There is also a profound element of **Irony**, as the true reason for the Israelites' potential destruction is their own profound unbelief and rebellion, yet Moses frames the argument in a way that suggests a divine deficiency, highlighting the stark contrast between human sin and God's perfect justice and boundless power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 14:16 serves as a profound theological statement not about God's limitations, but about His character and the supreme importance of His glory. Moses' intercession highlights that God's actions are always consistent with His nature, even when they involve judgment. His concern for His reputation among the nations underscores the universal scope of His sovereignty and His ultimate purpose to be known and glorified by all peoples. The verse also implicitly teaches about the gravity of human sin and unbelief, which, left unchecked, would justly lead to destruction. Yet, it also magnifies God's mercy and His willingness to relent from wrath in response to a mediator's prayer, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant promises even when His people are unfaithful. The passage reveals that God's glory is not merely an abstract concept but a driving force in His redemptive plan for humanity.

* [Deuteronomy 9:28](/deuteronomy/9-28 "Deuteronomy 9:28 - Moses' Appeal in Deuteronomy")
* [Psalm 78:19-20](/psalm/78-19-20 "Psalm 78:19-20 - Doubting God's Ability and Provision")
* [Romans 9:17](/romans/9-17 "Romans 9:17 - God's Reputation Displayed Through Pharaoh")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Moses' intercession in Numbers 14:16 offers timeless and profound lessons for believers today. Firstly, it calls us to a deep and profound concern for God's name and reputation in the world. Just as Moses was zealous for God's glory among the nations, we too are called to live lives that authentically reflect His character and draw others to Him. Our actions, words, and attitudes as Christians are a powerful, living testimony to the world about the God we serve, and they either honor or dishonor His name. Secondly, the passage serves as a stark and sobering warning against the dangers of unbelief. The Israelites' tragic failure to enter the Promised Land was a direct consequence of their persistent lack of faith, demonstrating unequivocally that unbelief can hinder us from experiencing God's full blessings and promises in our own lives. It challenges us to trust God's promises implicitly, even when circumstances seem overwhelmingly daunting or contrary to our expectations. Finally, Moses' fervent and selfless prayer models the vital and transformative practice of intercession. His willingness to stand in the gap for a rebellious people, appealing to God's character and purposes, encourages and empowers us to pray boldly and persistently for others—for our families, our communities, our nations, and the world—believing that our prayers can genuinely influence divine action and avert judgment, bringing about God's good purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my daily life, my choices, and my conversations reflect on God's reputation in the eyes of those around me, both believers and unbelievers?**
* **In what specific areas of my life am I struggling with unbelief or doubt, and how might this hinder me from experiencing the fullness of God's promises and blessings?**
* **Who am I specifically called to intercede for, and how can I cultivate a more fervent, consistent, and persistent prayer life like that of Moses?**
* **How does understanding God's profound concern for His own glory impact my understanding of His justice, His mercy, and His sovereign plan for humanity?**

### FAQ
**Did Moses truly believe God was "not able" to bring the people into the land?**

Answer: No, Moses did not literally believe God was "not able" (lacked the power or capacity) to fulfill His promise. Moses, more than anyone, had been an eyewitness to God's omnipotent power displayed in Egypt through the plagues, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness provision. His statement in [Numbers 14:16](/numbers/14-16 "Numbers 14:16 - Moses' Intercession") is a powerful rhetorical argument, an appeal to God's concern for His own reputation and glory among the surrounding nations. Moses was arguing from the perspective of how the pagan nations, who did not understand the intricacies of God's covenant, His justice, or the gravity of Israel's sin, would misinterpret Israel's destruction. They would conclude that Yahweh was weak or insufficient, rather than understanding it as a just and righteous judgment on His people's rebellion and unbelief. Moses was appealing to God to act in a way that would preserve His glory and demonstrate His unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even in the face of His people's profound sin.

**Why was God's reputation so important in this context?**

Answer: God's reputation was crucial because His glory and power were actively being revealed to the world through His unique relationship and actions with Israel. In the ancient Near East, the strength and prestige of a nation were often inextricably tied to the perceived power and efficacy of its deity. If God were to destroy His people in the wilderness, the Egyptians and other nations, who had witnessed His mighty acts of deliverance from a global superpower, might conclude that He was unable to complete what He started. This would diminish His glory and name among the Gentiles, directly contradicting His ultimate purpose to be known as the one true God over all the earth, as declared in [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "Exodus 9:16 - God's Power Displayed to Pharaoh"). Moses understood that God's redemptive plan was not just for Israel, but for all nations to eventually recognize and worship His sovereignty.

**How does this verse relate to God's omnipotence?**

Answer: This verse, when properly understood through the lens of Moses' rhetorical strategy, actually affirms rather than contradicts God's omnipotence. Moses' argument is precisely *because* God is omnipotent and utterly faithful to His promises that He should not allow His actions to be misconstrued as weakness or failure. God's power is not just about what He *can* do, but what He *will* do in perfect accordance with His holy character and His covenant purposes. The ultimate reason the generation perished in the wilderness was their profound unbelief, not any deficiency in God's ability, as clearly stated in [Hebrews 3:19](/hebrews/3-19 "Hebrews 3:19 - Consequences of Unbelief"). God's decision to relent from immediate destruction and to spare them, in response to Moses' intercession, actually demonstrated His sovereign power to show mercy and His unwavering commitment to His long-term redemptive plan, despite human sin and rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 14:16, with Moses' impassioned intercession appealing to God's reputation and glory, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect intercession of Jesus Christ. Moses stood in the gap for a rebellious people, pleading that God's holy name would not be dishonored by their destruction. This prefigures Christ, the greater Mediator, who not only intercedes for His people but also perfectly upholds God's glory through His obedient life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection. While Moses appealed to God's reputation to avert immediate judgment, Christ's sacrifice on the cross fully satisfied divine justice, allowing God to be both just and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus [Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God's Justice and Justification Through Christ"). The "inability" perceived by the nations in Moses' day finds its profound resolution in the absolute "ability" of Christ to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, because He always lives to make intercession for them [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession"). Through Christ, God's promise of an inheritance is secured, not by human merit or works, but by divine grace and the perfect work of the Son, ensuring that God's faithfulness, power, and glory are magnified to the highest degree, ultimately bringing eternal glory to the Father [John 17:4](/john/17-4 "John 17:4 - Jesus Glorifies the Father"). The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), ensures that God's covenant promises are fulfilled, and His name is eternally glorified, not through the destruction of His people, but through their redemption and eternal salvation.

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

Deuteronomy 9:28

Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.

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?

Joshua 7:7

And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!

Deuteronomy 32:26

¶ I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:

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.