King James Version

What Does Numbers 16:14 Mean?

Numbers 16:14 in the King James Version says “Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vi...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. put: Heb. bore out”

Numbers 16:14 · KJV

Context

12

And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:

13

Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?

14

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. put: Heb. bore out

15

And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

16

And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:

Read Numbers 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Dathan and Abiram mockingly asked if Moses would 'put out the eyes of these men'—accusing him of blinding deception. This inverts reality: their rebellion demonstrated spiritual blindness while Moses consistently revealed God's will. Rebels often accuse others of the very faults they themselves possess, projecting their own deception onto faithful leaders.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The phrase 'put out eyes' may allude to treatment of captured kings or slaves (Judges 16:21, 2 Kings 25:7). By using such violent imagery, they portrayed Moses as a tyrant when he had led with exceptional meekness (12:3). False accusation is a standard tool of rebellion.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you recognize projection when others accuse you of their own sins?
  2. What role does truth-telling play in exposing and resisting spiritual rebellion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
אַ֡ף1 of 19

“Moreover”

H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

לֹ֣א2 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֶל3 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶרֶץ֩4 of 19

“us into a land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

זָבַ֨ת5 of 19

“that floweth”

H2100

to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow

חָלָ֤ב6 of 19

“with milk”

H2461

milk (as the richness of kine)

וּדְבַשׁ֙7 of 19

“and honey”

H1706

honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup

הֲבִ֣יאֹתָ֔נוּ8 of 19

“thou hast not brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וַתִּ֨תֶּן9 of 19

“or given”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָ֔נוּ10 of 19
H0
נַֽחֲלַ֖ת11 of 19

“us inheritance”

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

שָׂדֶ֣ה12 of 19

“of fields”

H7704

a field (as flat)

וָכָ֑רֶם13 of 19

“and vineyards”

H3754

a garden or vineyard

הַֽעֵינֵ֞י14 of 19

“the eyes”

H5869

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

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֥ים15 of 19
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)

הָהֵ֛ם16 of 19
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

תְּנַקֵּ֖ר17 of 19

“wilt thou put out”

H5365

to bore (penetrate, quarry)

לֹ֥א18 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נַֽעֲלֶֽה׃19 of 19

“we will not come up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

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 16:14 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 16:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 20:24Numbers 36:8-10Exodus 22:5Exodus 3:8Exodus 3:17Numbers 20:5

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