Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.

NUMBERS 14:37KJV
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Numbers 14:37 (KJV)

What does Numbers 14:37 mean?

Numbers 14:37 says that the men who brought a negative, discouraging report about the promised land died by a plague sent from the LORD. This verse highlights that those who spread fear and distrust among the Israelites faced immediate and severe consequences.

In the story, Moses is leading the Israelites through the wilderness, and twelve men were sent to scout out Canaan. Ten of these men returned with an "evil report" that made the people afraid to enter the land God had promised. This verse explains that God responded by sending a deadly plague to punish those ten men for their role in turning the people against His promise.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 14:37

  • "evil" — רָעָה (ra‘ah): This word means something harmful, bad, or wicked. Here, it describes the nature of the report the men gave, showing it was not just negative but actively harmful to the community’s trust.
  • "report" — דִּבָּה (dibbāh): This word often refers to a rumor or slander. In this context, it emphasizes that the message the men spread was not just a factual account but something that damaged reputations and faith.
  • "plague" — מַגֵּפָה (maggefāh): This word means a blow, strike, or plague. It signals that the men’s deaths were not by chance but a direct, dramatic act from God.

Why Numbers 14:37 matters

  • Numbers 14:37 clarifies that the punishment was specifically for those who actively spread discouragement, not just for being afraid themselves.
  • The verse connects to the larger story of Israel’s wandering, showing how distrust in God’s promises led to real consequences for the community.
  • This verse helps explain why only Joshua and Caleb, the two scouts who trusted God, were allowed to enter the promised land, while the others faced judgment.

Where else these words appear

“report” 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 14:36 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,
  • Proverbs 25:10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

“plague” Hebrew H4046 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 9:14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.
  • 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.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:22 Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.