Numbers 14:2

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 14:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would that we had died in this wilderness!” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would that we had died in this wilderness!
Numbers 14:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would that we had died in this wilderness!

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses, and against Aaron, etc.] They being the instruments of bringing them out of Egypt, and conducting them hither: and the whole congregation said unto them; some of them, the rest assenting to it by their cries and tears and gestures; would God we had died in the land of Egypt; and then what they left behind they thought might have come into the hands of their children or relations; but now they concluded it would become a prey to the Canaanites: or would God we had died in this wilderness; the wilderness of Paran, at Taberah, where many of them had been destroyed by fire, (<041101>Numbers 11:1-3), and now they wish they had perished with…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Would God that we had died in Egypt--Such insolence to their generous leaders, and such base ingratitude to God, show the deep degradation of the Israelites, and the absolute necessity of the decree that debarred that generation from entering the promised land [Num 14:29-35]. They were punished by their wishes being granted to die in that wilderness [Heb 3:17; Jde 1:5]. A leader to reconduct them to Egypt is spoken of (Neh 9:17) as actually nominated. The sinfulness and insane folly of their conduct are almost incredible. Their conduct, however, is paralleled by too many among us, who shrink from the smallest difficulties and rather remain slaves to sin than resolutely try to surmount the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Against Moses and Aaron - As the instruments and occasions of their present calamity. That we had died in this wilderness - It was not long before they had their desire, and did die in the wilderness. Numbers 14:3”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“murmured: Num 16:41; Exo 15:24, Exo 16:2, Exo 16:3, Exo 17:3; Deu 1:27; Psa 106:24, Psa 106:45; Co1 10:10; Phi 2:14, Phi 2:15; Jde 1:16 Would: Num 14:28, Num 14:29, Num 11:15; Kg1 19:4; Job 3:11, Job 7:15, Job 7:16; Jon 4:3, Jon 4:8 Numbers 14:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification