King James Version

What Does Numbers 11:15 Mean?

Numbers 11:15 in the King James Version says “And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not se...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.”

Numbers 11:15 · KJV

Prayer

Context

13

Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.

14

I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.

15

And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.

16

And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.

17

And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses' prayer reaches its climax: 'And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand.' This shocking request reveals the depth of Moses' despair—he preferred death to continued burden of leading rebellious Israel. Yet this wasn't merely despair but also faith: Moses believed death would be preferable to dishonoring God through inadequate leadership or to watching God judge the people.

The conditional 'if I have found favour in thy sight' shows Moses still sought God's will. He wasn't demanding death but requesting it as an alternative if the burden wouldn't otherwise be lifted. The phrase 'let me not see my wretchedness' (Hebrew ra'ati, רָעָתִי) could mean either 'my wretchedness' or 'their wretchedness'—Moses couldn't bear either his own misery or the people's impending judgment.

This prayer parallels other biblical figures who requested death under overwhelming burden: Elijah (1 Kings 19:4), Jonah (Jonah 4:3), and Job (Job 6:8-9). God's response to such prayers is typically not granting death but providing help and perspective. The request reveals both the reality of ministerial burden and the danger of focusing on circumstances rather than God's faithfulness. Christ alone legitimately said, 'My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death' (Matthew 26:38), bearing the ultimate burden of humanity's sin.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moses' death request must be understood in context of his mediatorial role. As the one who stood between God and Israel, Moses bore unique burden—seeing both God's holiness and the people's sin, experiencing the tension between divine justice and covenant mercy. Earlier, Moses had offered himself in Israel's place: 'Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book' (Exodus 32:32). Moses' willingness to suffer or die for Israel prefigured Christ's actual substitutionary death for His people.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Moses' request for death reveal about the reality of ministerial burden and the importance of having honest conversations with God about our struggles?
  2. How does God's response (providing elders to share the burden) rather than granting Moses' request demonstrate God's wisdom in answering prayers—often giving what we truly need rather than what we desperately want?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְאִם1 of 15
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

כָּ֣כָה׀2 of 15
H3602

just so, referring to the previous or following context

אַתְּ3 of 15
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עֹ֣שֶׂה4 of 15

“And if thou deal”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לִּ֗י5 of 15
H0
הָרֹ֔ג6 of 15

“me I pray thee out of hand”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

נָא֙7 of 15
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

הָרֹ֔ג8 of 15

“me I pray thee out of hand”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

אִם9 of 15
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

מָצָ֥אתִי10 of 15

“if I have found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

חֵ֖ן11 of 15

“favour”

H2580

graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ12 of 15

“in thy sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וְאַל13 of 15
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

אֶרְאֶ֖ה14 of 15

“and let me not see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בְּרָֽעָתִֽי׃15 of 15

“my wretchedness”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 11:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 11:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 19:4Philippians 1:20-24Jonah 4:3Jonah 4:8-9Jeremiah 20:18Zephaniah 3:15

Test Your Knowledge

Numbers 11 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterNumbers Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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