Bible/Numbers/14

Numbers 14:4

14:3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

KJV

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They said to one another, “Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.”

And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.

What does Numbers 14:4 mean?

Numbers 14:4 is a verse in the book of Numbers, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include אָמַר (ʼâmar), אִישׁ (ʼîysh), אָח (ʼâch). It connects to 15 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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And
they
saidאָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)
oneאִישׁʼîysh/eesh/H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
to
another,אָחʼâch/awkh/H251a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father))
Let
us
makeנָתַןnâthan/naw-than'/H5414to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
a
captain,רֹאשׁrôʼsh/roshe/H7218the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
and
let
us
returnשׁוּבshûwb/shoob/H7725to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again
into
Egypt.מִצְרַיִםMitsrayim/mits-rah'-yim/H4714Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt

Commentary on Numbers 14:4

HENRY_FULL · Numbers 14:4
This chapter is concerning the lamps or lights of the sanctuary. I. The burning lamps in the candlestick, which the priests were charged to tend, ver. 1-4 . II. The living lamps (if I may so call them), The Levites, who as ministers were burning and shining lights. The ordination of the priests we had an account of, Lev. viii . Here we have an account of the ordination of the Levites, the inferior clergy. 1. How they were purified, ver. 5-8 . 2. How they were parted with by the people, ver. 9, 10 . 3. How they were presented to God in lieu of the firstborn, ver. 11-18 . 4. How they were consigned to Aaron and his sons, to be ministers to them, ver. 19 . 5. How all these orders were duly executed, ver. 20-22 . And, lastly, the age appointed for their ministration, ver. 23 , &c.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Exodus 25:37

And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. shall light: or, shall cause to ascend it: Heb. the face of it

Exodus 37:18

And six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof:

Exodus 37:19

Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick.

Exodus 37:23

And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold.

Exodus 40:25

And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus 24:1

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 24:2

Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. to cause: Heb. to cause to ascend

Isaiah 8:20

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. no: Heb. no morning

Matthew 5:14

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

John 1:9

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

2 Peter 1:19

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Revelation 1:12

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

Revelation 1:20

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Revelation 2:1

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Revelation 4:5

And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Topics

Aaron

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Numbers 14:4.

Genesis 1:29

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. bearing: Heb. seeding seed yielding: Heb. seeding seed

Genesis 13:11

Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.

Genesis 14:16

And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

Genesis 15:10

And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.

Genesis 15:18

In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Genesis 16:3

And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

Genesis 2:23

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Woman: Heb. Isha Man: Heb. Ish

Genesis 20:14

And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.

Frequently asked questions

What does Numbers 14:4 say?

Numbers 14:4 (King James Version) reads: "And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt."

Is Numbers 14:4 in the Old or New Testament?

Numbers 14:4 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Numbers.

Reflect

As you read Numbers 14:4, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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