Numbers 20:12 (KJV)

What does Numbers 20:12 mean?

Numbers 20:12 explains why Moses and Aaron would not lead Israel into the land God had given them. The LORD tells them that their failure to trust him kept them from showing the people that he is holy—that he is set apart and worthy of honor.

The words “in the eyes of the children of Israel” place their failure before the gathered people. After Moses struck the rock and water came out, the LORD addressed both leaders about what had happened.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 20:12

• “believed” — אָמַן (ʾaman): The word can carry the sense of trusting or relying on someone. Here, the LORD describes the leaders’ conduct as a failure to rely on him.
• “sanctify” — קָדַשׁ (qadash): The word carries the sense of treating someone as holy, or set apart. Here, Moses and Aaron were to show the people the LORD’s distinct honor by how they acted.

Why Numbers 20:12 matters

• The LORD’s instruction had been specific. In Numbers 20:8, he told Moses to speak to the rock before the people; in verse 11, Moses struck it twice with his staff.
• Water came out, but the result did not settle the question of the leaders’ conduct. Verse 11 says the people and their animals drank, while verse 12 gives the LORD’s judgment on Moses and Aaron.
• The decision concerns who will lead the people into the land. The LORD says to Moses and Aaron, “ye shall not bring this congregation” there, while still calling the land one he has given Israel.