Numbers 14:1 - All the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.

Generated Verse: Numbers 14:1

What does "Numbers 14:1" mean?


The verse "All the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night" (Numbers 14:1) describes a moment of profound despair and communal grief in the Israelite community. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

Context: This verse follows the report of the twelve spies sent to scout out the land of Canaan. Ten of the spies gave a negative and fearful report, emphasizing the strength of the Canaanites and the perceived impossibility of conquering the land.

"All the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried": This indicates a widespread and unified expression of anguish. The entire community, not just a few individuals, were reacting with loud lament. The term "lifted up their voice" suggests a powerful, unrestrained outcry.

"And the people wept that night": This emphasizes the depth and duration of their sorrow. Their weeping wasn't a momentary outburst but continued throughout the entire night. This signifies deep disappointment, fear, and a sense of hopelessness.

Meaning and Significance:

Disbelief and Fear: The people's reaction stems from their lack of faith in God's promise to give them the land. They believed the negative report of the ten spies more than they trusted God's power.
Disappointment and Loss: They had been anticipating entering the Promised Land, and the negative report shattered their hopes.
Rebellion: Their weeping was not merely sorrow but also a form of rebellion against God's plan. They were essentially saying they didn't trust God to overcome the obstacles.
Consequences: This widespread lament and lack of faith had severe consequences. God was displeased and declared that the generation that doubted Him would not enter the Promised Land (with the exception of Caleb and Joshua, the two spies who gave a positive report).

In summary, Numbers 14:1 portrays a pivotal moment where the Israelites, overwhelmed by fear and lacking faith, collectively wept in despair and rebelled against God's promise, leading to significant consequences for their future.

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