And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?

NUMBERS 14:3KJV
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Numbers 14:3 (KJV)

What does Numbers 14:3 mean?

Numbers 14:3 shows the Israelites questioning why the LORD (God) brought them to the land of Canaan, fearing they will die in battle and their families will be captured, and wondering if it would be better to return to Egypt. The verse captures their fear and lack of trust as they face the challenges of entering the promised land.

In this moment, the Israelites are speaking to each other after hearing a discouraging report about Canaan from some of their spies. They are afraid of the dangers ahead and imagine the worst possible outcome for themselves and their loved ones. The verse reveals their deep anxiety and their desire to go back to Egypt, even though it was a place of slavery, because it now seems safer than trusting God to lead them forward.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 14:3

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God used here, emphasizing that their complaint is directed specifically at the God who rescued them from Egypt and made promises to them.
  • prey (בַּז, baz): This word means "plunder" or "spoils," showing that the Israelites fear their wives and children will be taken as captives or treated as property by enemies, not just killed.
  • better (טוֹב, tov): This word often means "good" or "pleasant," so when the Israelites say it would be "better" to return to Egypt, they are expressing a complete reversal of values—preferring slavery over the risk of trusting God in the unknown.

Why Numbers 14:3 matters

  • Numbers 14:3 highlights the Israelites’ struggle with fear and doubt, even after witnessing God’s power in their deliverance from Egypt.
  • The verse shows how fear can distort perspective, making past suffering (slavery in Egypt) seem preferable to facing new challenges with faith.
  • This moment sets up a turning point in the story, where the people’s lack of trust leads to serious consequences in the chapters that follow.

Where else these words appear

“prey” Hebrew H957 · used in 25 verses

  • Numbers 14:31 But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.
  • Jeremiah 15:13 Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil without price, and that for all thy sins, even in all thy borders.
  • Ezekiel 29:19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army.

“children” Hebrew H2945 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 34:29 And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.
  • Numbers 31:9 And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.
  • Joshua 1:14 Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;