King James Version
Numbers 14:15 in the King James Version says “Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,”
Numbers 14:15 · KJV
And Moses said unto the LORD, Then the Egyptians shall hear it, (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;)
And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.
Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,
Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.
And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying,
KJV Study — Public Domain
“Now if thou shalt kill”
H4191to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“all this people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
“man”
H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
“then the nations”
H1471a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
“which have heard”
H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“the fame”
H8088something heard, i.e., a sound, rumor, announcement; abstractly, audience
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.
Numbers 14:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Numbers 14:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge