Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.

NUMBERS 16:14KJV
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Numbers 16:14 (KJV)

What does Numbers 16:14 mean?

Numbers 16:14 records a complaint from Korah’s followers against Moses, accusing him of failing to bring them into a promised land “flowing with milk and honey” or giving them fields and vineyards as an inheritance. They challenge Moses’ authority, asking if he intends to “put out the eyes” of the men, and refuse to come when summoned.

In this verse, Dathan and Abiram are speaking to Moses during the rebellion led by Korah. They are frustrated and disillusioned, claiming that Moses has not delivered on God’s promises of a fruitful land (referencing the “land that floweth with milk and honey”) and accusing him of trying to deceive or control them (“put out the eyes” is likely a figure of speech for blinding or misleading). Their refusal to “come up” shows open defiance and deep distrust.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 16:14

  • “Land” (אֶרֶץ, ’erets): This word means land or earth, and here it refers specifically to the Promised Land the Israelites expected to receive. The complaint centers on not reaching this destination.
  • “Floweth” (זָבַת, zavat): This verb means to flow or ooze, painting a vivid picture of abundance (“flowing with milk and honey”) that the people feel is missing.
  • “Put out” (נָקַר, naqar): This word means to gouge or dig out, and in this context, it is likely a metaphor for blinding or deceiving, suggesting that Moses is being accused of trying to keep the people in the dark or take advantage of them.
  • “Eyes” (עַיִן, ‘ayin): The use of “eyes” here strengthens the accusation, as eyes are often symbolic of perception and understanding. The people are essentially saying, “Are you trying to blind us or make us ignorant?”

Why Numbers 16:14 matters

  • This verse highlights the depth of distrust and bitterness among the rebels, showing that their opposition to Moses is not just about leadership but about broken expectations and perceived betrayal.
  • The accusation of “putting out the eyes” reveals the strong language and emotional intensity of the conflict, emphasizing how personal and serious the rebellion had become.
  • Understanding this complaint helps clarify the stakes of Korah’s rebellion in the wider narrative: it was not just a political dispute, but a crisis of faith and trust in God’s promises as represented by Moses.

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H5365 · used in 6 verses

  • Judges 16:21 But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.
  • 1 Samuel 11:2 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
  • Proverbs 30:17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

“Moreover” Hebrew H637 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
  • Deuteronomy 33:20 And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:32 And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them.

“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.

“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.