Numbers 16:14

KJV

Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover {H637} thou hast not brought {H935} us into a land {H776} that floweth {H2100} with milk {H2461} and honey {H1706}, or given {H5414} us inheritance {H5159} of fields {H7704} and vineyards {H3754}: wilt thou put out {H5365} the eyes {H5869} of these men {H582}? we will not come up {H5927}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You haven't at all brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, and you haven't put us in possession of fields and vineyards. Do you think you can gouge out these men's eyes and blind them? We won't come up!"

Berean Standard Bible

Moreover, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you gouge out the eyes of these men? No, we will not come!”

American Standard Version

Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 16:14 encapsulates the escalating rebellion of Dathan and Abiram, who, in concert with Korah, defiantly refuse Moses' summons. They hurl accusations of failed leadership, asserting Moses has not delivered them into the promised land of abundance nor granted them tangible inheritance, while cynically implying he seeks to deceive them. This verse powerfully illustrates their profound unbelief, ingratitude, and outright rejection of God's divinely appointed authority, setting the stage for the swift and severe divine judgment that follows.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within the dramatic and tragic narrative of Korah's rebellion, detailed in [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - Korah's Rebellion"). Immediately prior, Moses, having heard of the challenge to his and Aaron's God-given authority, dispatches a summons to Dathan and Abiram, key Reubenite conspirators, aiming to confront their defiance directly. Their response in [Numbers 16:12-14](/numbers/16-12-14 "Numbers 16:12-14 - Dathan and Abiram's Defiant Refusal") is not merely a refusal to appear, but a venomous tirade of accusations against Moses. This outright insubordination elevates the conflict from murmuring and grumbling, which had been a recurring issue since the Exodus, to open rebellion against God's chosen leader and, by extension, against God Himself. This defiant stance irrevocably sets the stage for the unprecedented and severe divine judgment that swiftly follows, underscoring the perilous consequences of challenging God's established order and His appointed instruments.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites, at this point, are deep in their wilderness wanderings, decades removed from their liberation from Egyptian bondage, yet still short of the Promised Land. The generation that exited Egypt, with the notable exceptions of Caleb and Joshua, has been condemned to perish in the wilderness due to their persistent unbelief and repeated acts of rebellion, most significantly after the incident at Kadesh Barnea, as recounted in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Unbelief and Consequences"). The "land that floweth with milk and honey" was not merely a geographical location but the quintessential symbol of God's covenantal promise of abundance, fertility, and divine blessing, standing in stark contrast to the harsh, barren wilderness. Dathan and Abiram's complaint strategically weaponizes this unfulfilled promise—a delay caused by their own generation's sin, not Moses' failure—to fuel their rebellion. The rhetorical question, "wilt thou put out the eyes of these men?", is a well-attested ancient Near Eastern idiom. It does not refer to physical blinding, but rather to an attempt to deceive, mislead, or prevent someone from perceiving the truth. It conveys a cynical accusation that Moses is attempting to manipulate them into believing his leadership is beneficial or legitimate, while they perceive it as oppressive, deceptive, and ultimately unfulfilling.
* **Key Themes:** This verse serves as a potent microcosm of several critical themes woven throughout the book of Numbers. Firstly, it starkly highlights the severe danger and consequences of **rebellion against God-appointed authority**. Dathan and Abiram's direct defiance of Moses, God's chosen leader, mirrors and intensifies the broader challenge to divine order and leadership seen throughout [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - Korah's Rebellion"). Secondly, the verse vividly exemplifies the **distortion of truth and the pervasive act of blame-shifting**. The rebels accuse Moses of failing to deliver the Promised Land, conveniently ignoring that their own generation's unbelief, grumbling, and direct disobedience were the actual, divinely ordained causes of their protracted wilderness wandering and exclusion from Canaan ([Numbers 14:23](/numbers/14-23 "Numbers 14:23 - The Lord's Oath Against the Rebellious Generation")). Thirdly, it underscores profound **ingratitude and deep-seated discontent**. Dathan and Abiram fixate solely on perceived unfulfilled promises, specifically the "inheritance of fields and vineyards," while entirely disregarding God's miraculous, daily provision of manna, water, and His guiding presence amidst them ([Numbers 9:15-23](/numbers/9-15-23 "Numbers 9:15-23 - The Cloud by Day and Fire by Night")). Finally, their cynical rhetorical question about "putting out eyes" reveals a deep-seated **unbelief and a cynical accusation of deception** leveled against Moses, contrasting sharply with Moses' transparent, faithful, and often self-sacrificing leadership, and foreshadowing the inevitable divine judgment awaiting those who willfully challenge God's truth and authority.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Milk and Honey (Hebrew, _châlâb ū-dᵉbash'_):** This iconic phrase (H2461 and H1706), recurring throughout the Pentateuch, is a powerful **symbol** of the fertility, abundance, and divine blessing promised for the land of Canaan. "Milk" (H2461, _châlâb_) refers to the richness of dairy, while "honey" (H1706, _dᵉbash_) signifies the sweetness and bounty of the land's produce, often referring to date syrup or wild honey. It represents God's covenantal promise of a rich, settled inheritance for His people, a stark contrast to the barren wilderness. Dathan and Abiram's bitter use of this phrase here is a direct accusation, implying Moses has utterly failed to deliver on this fundamental divine promise, thereby twisting the divine intention and conveniently ignoring their own culpability for the delay.
* **Put out the eyes (Hebrew, _nâqar ʻayin'_):** This vivid idiom (H5365, _nâqar_, meaning "to bore/pierce/put out," and H5869, _ʻayin_, meaning "eye") signifies to blind someone to the truth, to deceive, or to manipulate. It does not refer to physical blinding but to intellectual or spiritual obfuscation. The rebels are sarcastically implying that Moses believes he can fool them into thinking he has delivered on his promises, or that he is leading them correctly, when they perceive him as a trickster or deceiver. It reflects their profound distrust, contempt, and cynical view of Moses' leadership, believing he is attempting to obscure their vision of the "truth" as they see it.
* **Come up (Hebrew, _ʻâlâh'_):** The verb (H5927, _ʻâlâh_) literally means "to ascend," "to go up," or "to mount." In this specific context, "we will not come up" signifies a defiant refusal to obey Moses' summons to appear before him. It is an act of open insubordination and a direct rejection of his authority. This refusal demonstrates their complete unwillingness to engage in any form of reconciliation, accountability, or even dialogue, highlighting the depth of their rebellion and their unwavering commitment to their rebellious course, making any further negotiation or resolution impossible.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey":** This clause forms the core of Dathan and Abiram's primary accusation. It is a direct, bitter charge against Moses for his perceived failure to fulfill the foundational promise of the Exodus—the entry into the Promised Land. Crucially, they conveniently ignore the fact that their own generation's persistent unbelief, repeated grumbling, and direct rebellion, particularly their refusal to enter Canaan at Kadesh Barnea as recounted in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Unbelief and Consequences"), were the actual, divinely ordained reasons for their prolonged wilderness wandering and the delay in entering the land. They thus completely shift the blame for their predicament from their own sin and God's just judgment onto Moses.
* **"or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards":** This clause provides specific, tangible details of the promised land's abundance that the rebels feel deprived of. "Fields and vineyards" represent the settled, prosperous agricultural life, permanent dwelling, and secure homeland that the wilderness journey inherently lacked. This highlights their deeply materialistic focus and their profound discontent with their current nomadic existence, despite God's miraculous and consistent provision of manna, quail, and water throughout their journey. It underscores their spiritual blindness to God's daily faithfulness.
* **"wilt thou put out the eyes of these men?":** This rhetorical question is a sarcastic, accusatory, and deeply cynical challenge directed at Moses. It implies that Moses is attempting to deceive them, to blind them to the harsh reality of their situation (as they perceive it), or to manipulate them into believing his false promises and leadership. This question reveals their profound distrust and contempt for Moses, portraying him not as God's faithful servant but as a cunning trickster who seeks to exploit their vulnerability. It's an accusation of calculated deception.
* **"we will not come up.":** This short, emphatic, and decisive declaration is the climactic act of their defiance. Moses had specifically summoned them to appear before him ([Numbers 16:12](/numbers/16-12 "Numbers 16:12 - Moses Summons Dathan and Abiram")), likely to reason with them, to bring them to account, or to offer a chance for repentance. Their blunt refusal is an open act of insubordination, a complete and unequivocal rejection of Moses' authority as God's appointed leader. This statement signals their unyielding commitment to their rebellious course, making any further negotiation, reconciliation, or peaceful resolution utterly impossible.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 16:14 employs several potent literary devices to convey the profound depth of Dathan and Abiram's rebellion and their hardened hearts. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "wilt thou put out the eyes of these men?" This question is not posed with any expectation of an answer but is designed to make a forceful, sarcastic accusation, implying Moses' attempts at deception and manipulation. There is profound **Irony** embedded within their accusations; they accuse Moses of failing to bring them into the land and of trying to blind them to the truth, when in reality, their own persistent unbelief, grumbling, and rebellion are the true impediments to entering Canaan, and their spiritual "eyes" are blinded by pride, self-interest, and deep-seated discontent. The phrase "land that floweth with milk and honey" functions as a powerful **Metonymy** or **Symbolism**, representing the entirety of God's covenantal promises of abundance, blessing, security, and a settled homeland. Their complaint leverages this cherished symbol to highlight their perceived deprivation and Moses' supposed failure. Furthermore, the entire statement can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, an exaggerated and disproportionate complaint that disregards God's miraculous and consistent provision in the wilderness, and Moses' faithful, albeit challenging, leadership.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a profound theological warning against the insidious dangers of human rebellion against divine authority and the destructive power of unbelief. Dathan and Abiram's accusations are not merely personal attacks against Moses; they are, implicitly, direct challenges to God Himself, who sovereignly appointed Moses and made the very promises of the land. Their deep discontent highlights the pervasive human tendency to blame others for self-inflicted consequences and to focus myopically on perceived lack rather than acknowledging God's unwavering faithfulness and miraculous provision. The passage underscores that true spiritual blindness often stems from a hardened heart, a willful refusal to accept God's sovereign plan or His chosen instruments, ultimately leading to catastrophic judgment. It reveals how quickly ingratitude can fester into open defiance, jeopardizing not only individual lives but the spiritual and physical well-being of the entire community. This rebellion against God's established order is a recurring theme demonstrating the severe consequences of rejecting divine leadership.

* [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - God's Promise of a Land Flowing with Milk and Honey")
* [Numbers 14:23](/numbers/14-23 "Numbers 14:23 - The Lord's Oath Against the Rebellious Generation")
* [Jude 1:11](/jude/1-11 "Jude 1:11 - Warning Against False Teachers and Rebellion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 16:14 offers timeless and sobering lessons for believers today, serving as a stark reminder of the perils inherent in a rebellious spirit and the paramount importance of spiritual discernment. It challenges us to honestly examine our own hearts for any latent seeds of discontent, ingratitude, or even cynicism, especially when our circumstances are difficult, our prayers seem unanswered, or God's promises appear delayed. Are we quick to blame others, or even God Himself, for our own choices, our spiritual stagnation, or the consequences of communal sin? The passage profoundly urges humility, a spirit of teachability, and a willingness to submit to God-ordained authority, recognizing that challenging leadership without just cause, particularly when rooted in pride, envy, or self-interest, can have devastating spiritual and relational consequences. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of enduring faith and patient endurance, trusting in God's perfect timing and His unwavering faithfulness, even when our immediate desires for "fields and vineyards"—our earthly comforts or aspirations—are not yet realized. Ultimately, this verse compels us to vigilantly guard against the spiritual blindness that prevents us from truly seeing God's hand at work, His faithful provision, and His sovereign plan, even amidst the challenging and seemingly barren wilderness seasons of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to blame others or God for my own disappointments, perceived shortcomings, or the consequences of my choices?**
* **How do I respond when God's promises seem delayed, or when my expectations for blessing and abundance are not immediately met?**
* **Am I quick to challenge authority, or do I seek to understand, pray for, and submit to leadership, especially when that authority is divinely appointed?**
* **What "milk and honey" am I currently longing for, and am I trusting God's provision and perfect timing for it, even if it means a season of wilderness?**

### FAQ
**Why did Dathan and Abiram specifically mention "milk and honey" and "fields and vineyards" in their complaint?**

Answer: Dathan and Abiram mentioned "milk and honey" and "fields and vineyards" because these phrases represent the quintessential promises of abundance, fertility, and settled life in the Promised Land, Canaan. The "land flowing with milk and honey" ([Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - God's Promise of the Land")) was not just a geographic description but the primary symbol of God's covenant blessing, prosperity, and the ultimate goal of their liberation from Egypt. By accusing Moses of failing to bring them into such a land and provide "inheritance of fields and vineyards," they were highlighting their deep discontent with the current wilderness existence and implying that Moses had utterly failed to deliver on the most fundamental promise of their Exodus. This accusation was a direct challenge to Moses' leadership and, by extension, to God's faithfulness, leveraging the people's deep longing for a secure and prosperous home. They were using the very language of God's promise to accuse His appointed leader of failure, despite their own rebellion being the cause of the delay.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 16:14, with its stark depiction of rebellion against God's appointed leader and the rejection of a promised inheritance, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment and resonance in the New Testament. Just as Dathan and Abiram defiantly rejected Moses, God's chosen prophet and deliverer, so too did the people of Israel, and indeed humanity at large, ultimately reject Jesus, the greater Moses and the true prophet sent from God ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - A Prophet Like Moses")). They accused Him of blasphemy, twisted His words, and refused to "come up" to His gracious call for repentance and faith, much as the rebels refused Moses' summons. Yet, unlike the temporal land of milk and honey, which was but a shadow of future realities, Christ offers the true spiritual inheritance—eternal life and a heavenly kingdom that "flows with milk and honey" in the sense of abundant spiritual blessings, everlasting peace, and an imperishable dwelling with God ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ"); [Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22-24 "Hebrews 12:22-24 - The Heavenly Jerusalem")). The rebellion against Moses foreshadows humanity's universal rebellion against God's ultimate authority embodied in Christ, who was "despised and rejected by mankind" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")). However, for those who, unlike Dathan and Abiram, do not "put out their eyes" but rather open them to see and believe in Him, Jesus leads them not merely to a temporal land, but to a spiritual inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, securely kept in heaven ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")), a fulfillment far surpassing any earthly promise.

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

Leviticus 20:24

But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I [am] the LORD your God, which have separated you from [other] people.

Exodus 22:5

If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

Exodus 23:11

But the seventh [year] thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, [and] with thy oliveyard.

Numbers 36:8

And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers.

Numbers 36:10

Even as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad:

Exodus 3:8

And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

Numbers 20:5

And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it [is] no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither [is] there any water to drink.