Bible Strands
Numbers 14:2
All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness!
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The whole congregation of Israel addresses Moses and Aaron immediately after crying out and weeping through the night (Numbers 14:1). They voice a collective desire to have died in Egypt or the wilderness rather than face the Promised Land.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַ/יִּלֹּ֙נוּ֙ (va/i.yi.Lo.nu) means "they grumbled," directed עַל־ ('al-) "against" Moses and Aaron. The phrase כֹּל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (kol be.Nei Yis.ra.'El) identifies the speakers as "all the people of Israel."
The thread — This pattern of grumbling against Moses recurs when the people complain about water at Marah (Exodus 15:24) and at Rephidim (Exodus 17:3). The same congregation repeats the charge against Moses and Aaron in Numbers 16:41.
Why it lands — The text records the people’s rejection of God’s deliverance and their preference for slavery over the unknown. It demands a reader confront how fear can override gratitude and prompt rebellion against appointed leadership.
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
And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!
Cross-references
- Exodus 15:24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”
- Exodus 17:3 But the people thirsted for water there, and they grumbled against Moses: “Why have you brought us out of Egypt—to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”
- Numbers 16:41 The next day the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the LORD’s people!”
- Exodus 16:2 And there in the desert the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
- Numbers 14:27 “How long will this wicked congregation grumble against Me? I have heard the complaints that the Israelites are making against Me.
- 1 Corinthians 10:10 And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.
- Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,
- Jude 1:16 These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.
- Numbers 11:1 Soon the people began to complain about their hardship in the hearing of the LORD, and when He heard them, His anger was kindled, and fire from the LORD blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp.
- Numbers 11:15 If this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and let me not see my own wretchedness.”