King James Version

What Does Numbers 14:36 Mean?

Numbers 14:36 in the King James Version says “And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by ... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land,

Numbers 14:36 · KJV


Context

34

After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year , shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise. breach: or, altering of my purpose

35

I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.

36

And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land,

37

Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.

38

But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of the men that went to search the land, lived still.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The ten faithless spies died 'by the plague before the LORD'—divine judgment fell immediately on the ringleaders of rebellion. This swift punishment demonstrated that leading God's people into unbelief carries severe consequences. Their influential position magnified both their responsibility and their guilt.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The plague (literally 'stroke') was a direct divine intervention, distinguishing these men's deaths from natural causes. While the whole generation would die in the wilderness over forty years, these leaders died immediately, their judgment serving as a warning to all Israel.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does leadership responsibility affect accountability before God?
  2. What warnings has God given about influencing others toward unbelief?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְהָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים1 of 17
H376

a 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)

אֲשֶׁר2 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שָׁלַ֥ח3 of 17

sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מֹשֶׁ֖ה4 of 17

which Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

לָת֣וּר5 of 17

to search

H8446

to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring

אֶת6 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאָֽרֶץ׃7 of 17

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַיָּשֻׁ֗בוּ8 of 17

who returned

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

וַיַּלִּ֤וֹנוּ9 of 17

to murmur

H3885

to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)

עָלָיו֙10 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֶת11 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל12 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה13 of 17

and made all the congregation

H5712

a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

לְהוֹצִ֥יא14 of 17

against him by bringing up

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

דִבָּ֖ה15 of 17

a slander

H1681

slander

עַל16 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאָֽרֶץ׃17 of 17

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


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 14:36 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 14:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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