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 16:13KJVWhat 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.