Numbers 14:9

“Only rebel not ye against the Lord, etc.] Nothing, it is suggested, could hinder them from the, possession of it but their rebellion against the Lord; which might provoke him to cut them off by his immediate hand, or to deliver them into the hands of their enemies; for rebellion is a dreadful sin, and highly provoking, (<091523>1 Samuel 15:23); neither fear ye the people the land; on account of their number, strength, the walled cities they dwell in; they had nothing to fear from them, so be it they feared the Lord, and were not disobedient to him: for they [are] bread for us; as easy to be cut to pieces, and to be devoured, consumed, and destroyed as thoroughly, as bread is when eaten; and…”

“their defence is departed--Hebrew, "their shadow." The Sultan of Turkey and the Shah of Persia are called "the shadow of God," "the refuge of the world." So that the meaning of the clause, "their defence is departed from them," is, that the favor of God was now lost to those whose iniquities were full (Gen 15:16), and transferred to the Israelites.”

“Their defense - literally, “their shadow,” i. e. their shelter as from the scorching sun: an Oriental figure. Compare the marginal references. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Bread - We shall destroy them as easily as we eat our bread. Their defence - Their conduct and courage, and especially God, who was pleased to afford them his protection 'till their iniquities were full, is utterly departed from them, and hath given them up as a prey to us. With us - By his special grace and almighty power, to save us from them and all our enemies. Only rebel not against the Lord - Nothing can ruin sinners but their own rebellion. If God leaves them, 'tis because they drive him from them, and they die, because they will die. Numbers 14:10”

“Only rebel: Deu 9:7, Deu 9:23, Deu 9:24; Isa 1:2, Isa 63:10; Dan 9:5, Dan 9:9; Phi 1:27 neither: Deu 7:18, Deu 20:3 are bread: Num 24:8; Deu 32:42; Psa 14:4, Psa 74:14 defence: Heb. shadow, Tzillam, a metaphor highly expressive of protection and support in the sultry eastern countries. (See the parallel passages.) The Arabs and Persians use the same word to express the same thing; using the expressions, "May the shadow (zulli) of thy prosperity be extended." "May the shadow of thy prosperity be spread over the heads of thy well-wishers." And in an elegant distich, "May your protection never be removed from my head; may God extend your shadow (zullikem) eternally." The loftiest and most…”