And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land,

NUMBERS 14:36KJV
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Numbers 14:36 (KJV)

What does Numbers 14:36 mean?

Numbers 14:36 describes how the men Moses sent to scout out the land of Canaan came back and caused the whole Israelite community to complain against Moses by spreading a negative report about the land. The verse points out that their actions led the people to distrust Moses and doubt the promise of the land.

In this part of the story, God is addressing the aftermath of the spies’ return. Moses had chosen these men to explore Canaan, but instead of encouraging the people, they stirred up fear and rebellion by speaking badly about the land. This verse highlights the serious consequences of their words, which influenced the entire congregation and set the stage for God’s response to their lack of faith.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 14:36

  • "Murmur" (לון, lun): This word means to grumble or complain, often used in the context of the Israelites’ repeated dissatisfaction during their journey. Here, it emphasizes that the spies’ report led the people to openly resist Moses’ leadership.
  • "Slander" (דִּבָּה, dibbah): This word refers to a bad or damaging report, not just a simple description. The spies didn’t just share facts; they gave a report that painted the land in a negative light, stirring up fear and distrust.
  • "Congregation" (עֵדָה, edah): This word refers to the whole assembly of Israelites, showing that the impact of the spies’ words was widespread, affecting the entire community.

Why Numbers 14:36 matters

  • Numbers 14:36 clarifies that the main problem was not just the spies’ fear, but their active role in turning the people against Moses and God’s promise by spreading a damaging report.
  • This verse helps explain why the consequences for these men were so severe in the following verses: their influence led to a collective rebellion.
  • The verse connects directly to the larger story of Israel’s wandering, showing how a few voices can sway an entire community and alter the course of their journey.

Where else these words appear

“slander” Hebrew H1681 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 37:2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
  • Numbers 14:37 Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.
  • Proverbs 25:10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

“search” Hebrew H8446 · used in 22 verses

  • Numbers 10:33 And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.
  • Numbers 14:6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
  • 1 Kings 10:15 Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.

“murmur” Hebrew H3885 · used in 79 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Joshua 4:3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.
  • Job 17:2 Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?

“congregation” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:25 And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance:
  • Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.