Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?

NUMBERS 16:13KJV
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Numbers 16:13 (KJV)

What does Numbers 16:13 mean?

Numbers 16:13 records a complaint from Korah and his followers against Moses, accusing him of taking them out of a "land that floweth with milk and honey" only to kill them in the wilderness, and suggesting that Moses is trying to make himself a ruler over them. The verse expresses their frustration and their belief that Moses has led them into hardship for his own gain.

In this scene, Korah and his group are confronting Moses during their rebellion. They sarcastically call Egypt a land of abundance ("milk and honey") and accuse Moses of false leadership and bringing them into danger. Their words show deep dissatisfaction and a reversal of how the Promised Land is usually described, highlighting their anger and distorted perspective.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 16:13

  • "thing" (מְעַט, me‘at): This word means "small" or "insignificant," and here it emphasizes how Korah’s group is minimizing Moses’ actions, as if leading them out of Egypt was a trivial or even negative thing.
  • "make...altogether...prince" (שָׂרַר, sārar): This verb, repeated for emphasis, means "to act as a prince" or "to rule." The phrase suggests that Korah’s group accuses Moses of trying to set himself up as a ruler over them, not just leading but dominating.

Why Numbers 16:13 matters

  • Numbers 16:13 shows how rebellion can twist memory and perspective, with Korah’s group calling Egypt a land of "milk and honey"—a phrase usually reserved for the Promised Land.
  • The verse highlights the personal accusation against Moses, not just about the journey, but about his motives and leadership, which is central to the conflict in this chapter.
  • Understanding the original Hebrew helps clarify the intensity of the accusation: Korah’s group is not just complaining, but accusing Moses of self-promotion and abuse of power.

Where else these words appear

“make” Hebrew H8323 · used in 4 verses

  • Esther 1:22 For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.
  • Proverbs 8:16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
  • Isaiah 32:1 Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.

“floweth” Hebrew H2100 · used in 41 verses

  • Exodus 3:8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
  • Leviticus 15:19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.
  • Deuteronomy 26:15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

“that” Hebrew H3588 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
  • Exodus 13:17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
  • Joshua 2:24 And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.

“milk” Hebrew H2461 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 18:8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
  • Deuteronomy 14:21 Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.
  • Proverbs 30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.