Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.

NUMBERS 14:9KJV
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Numbers 14:9 (KJV)

What does Numbers 14:9 mean?

Numbers 14:9 urges the Israelites not to rebel against the LORD or be afraid of the people living in the land, assuring them that their enemies will be easily overcome because the LORD is with them. The verse uses the image of the people being "bread" for Israel, meaning they will be as easy to defeat as eating bread.

In this verse, Joshua and Caleb are speaking to the Israelites after the other spies have frightened the people with reports about Canaan. The people are on the verge of refusing to enter the land God promised them. Joshua and Caleb insist that, with God's help, the obstacles are not as great as they seem and that fear or rebellion against God is misplaced.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 14:9

  • "rebel" (מָרַד, marad): This word means to rise up against authority. Here, it highlights that resisting God's direction is not just hesitation but active opposition.
  • "bread" (לֶחֶם, lechem): Calling the people "bread" is a vivid way of saying they will be easily consumed or defeated, not a threat.
  • "defence" (צֵל, tsel): Literally "shadow," this word often means protection or shelter. The verse says their "shadow" has departed, meaning their protection is gone.
  • "fear" (יָרֵא, yare): This word is used twice, both times urging the people not to be afraid—first of the land's inhabitants, and then as a final reassurance.

Why Numbers 14:9 matters

  • Numbers 14:9 clarifies that the real danger is not the strength of the enemy but the Israelites' own fear and lack of trust in God.
  • The verse shows the contrast between Joshua and Caleb's faith and the fearfulness of the rest of the people, which is a key theme in this chapter.
  • The language about "bread" and "defence" helps readers see that the obstacles in front of Israel are not as insurmountable as they appear when God is on their side.

Where else these words appear

“rebel” Hebrew H4775 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 14:4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
  • 2 Kings 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
  • Job 24:13 They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.

“defence” Hebrew H6738 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 19:8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
  • Psalms 80:10 The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars.
  • Isaiah 30:3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.