Bible Strands
Numbers 11:14
I cannot carry all these people by myself; it is too burdensome for me.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Moses addresses God in the wilderness immediately after the Israelites demand meat, declaring his personal incapacity to manage the complaining crowd.
The words — The Hebrew pair אוּכַל לָשֵׂאת ('u.Khal la./Set) literally renders "I am able to carry," which Moses negates with לֹא (lo') to state his inability to bear the load alone.
The thread — The text repeats this burden motif in Deuteronomy 1:9 and anticipates the leadership correction described in Exodus 18:18.
Why it lands — The verse records Moses' factual claim of exhaustion before any theological conclusion, requiring readers to recognize human limits as the starting point for divine restructuring.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
Cross-references
- Exodus 18:18 Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone.
- Deuteronomy 1:9 At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone.
- Zechariah 6:13 Yes, He will build the temple of the LORD; He will be clothed in splendor and will sit on His throne and rule. And He will be a priest on His throne, and there will be peaceful counsel between the two.’
- 2 Corinthians 2:16 To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?
- Psalms 89:19 You once spoke in a vision; to Your godly ones You said, “I have bestowed help on a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people.
- Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.