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Numbers 27:14: Meaning Explained

For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at...

Numbers 27:14
For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the waters before their eyes. That is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
What it means

God reminded Moses of the time when Moses didn't trust God fully about the water. This was why Moses couldn't enter the Promised Land.

What’s Happening Here

Years ago, when the people complained about having no water, God told Moses how to get water from a rock. But Moses didn't follow God's instructions exactly, which showed a lack of trust.

Key Words

rebelledrefused to follow God's command
sanctifyshow respect for God's holiness
Meribaha place named for the dispute about water
Kadesha city where this happened

Why It Matters

We must trust God completely and follow His instructions exactly.

Did You Know?

Even great leaders like Moses experience consequences for their mistakes.

Tradition Spectrum

Word Study

H4784
For ye rebelledמְרִיתֶ֨ם
H6310
against my commandmentפִּ֜י
H4057
in the desertמִדְבַּר
H6790
of Zinצִֽן׃
H4808
in the strifeבִּמְרִיבַת֙
H5712
of the congregationהָֽעֵדָ֔ה
H6942
to sanctifyלְהַקְדִּישֵׁ֥נִי
H4325
me at the waterמֵֽי
H5869
before their eyesלְעֵֽינֵיהֶ֑ם
H4809
of Meribahמְרִיבַ֥ת
H6946
in Kadeshקָדֵ֖שׁ

Frequently asked questions

What does Numbers 27:14 mean?

God reminded Moses of the time when Moses didn't trust God fully about the water. This was why Moses couldn't enter the Promised Land.

What is the context of Numbers 27:14?

Years ago, when the people complained about having no water, God told Moses how to get water from a rock. But Moses didn't follow God's instructions exactly, which showed a lack of trust.

Why does Numbers 27:14 matter?

We must trust God completely and follow His instructions exactly.

What's a surprising detail about Numbers 27:14?

Even great leaders like Moses experience consequences for their mistakes.

Continue Exploring
Read Numbers 27:14 in the Bible reader, or explore the full chapter summary.

References

  1. Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
  2. Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
  3. Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
  4. Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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Places in Numbers 27:14

Commentary on Numbers 27:14

Verses 12–14 Moses must die, but he shall have the satisfaction of seeing the land of promise. This sight of Canaan signified his believing prospect of the better country, that is, the heavenly. Moses must die, but death does not cut him off; it only brings him to rest with the holy patriarchs. It is but to die as they died, having lived as they lived; and as their end was peace, why should we fear any evil in the passage of that dark valley? (Nu 27:15-23)
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706)