King James Version

What Does Numbers 20:10 Mean?

Numbers 20:10 in the King James Version says “And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?”

Numbers 20:10 · KJV

Context

8

Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

9

And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.

10

And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?

11

And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

12

And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

Read Numbers 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses and Aaron gather the assembly before the rock, and Moses addresses them: 'Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?' Moses' frustration erupts in harsh words and the plural 'we' (instead of crediting God alone). This momentary lapse—taking credit for God's miracle—cost Moses entry into Canaan, showing how even great leaders must guard against pride in ministry.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This incident contrasts with earlier water-from-rock miracle at Rephidim (Exodus 17:6), where Moses obeyed exactly. Years of patient leadership under constant complaint apparently accumulated, resulting in this flash of frustrated pride.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can accumulated frustration in ministry lead to taking credit for God's work?
  2. What practices help you maintain humility in spiritual leadership despite opposition?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיַּקְהִ֜לוּ1 of 19

“gathered”

H6950

to convoke

מֹשֶׁ֧ה2 of 19

“And Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וְאַֽהֲרֹ֛ן3 of 19

“and Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

אֶת4 of 19
H853

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

הַקָּהָ֖ל5 of 19

“the congregation”

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

אֶל6 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פְּנֵ֣י7 of 19

“together before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַסֶּ֣לַע8 of 19

“out of this rock”

H5553

a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר9 of 19

“and he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶ֗ם10 of 19
H0
שִׁמְעוּ11 of 19

“unto them Hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

נָא֙12 of 19
H4994

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

הַמֹּרִ֔ים13 of 19

“now ye rebels”

H4784

to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)

הֲמִן14 of 19
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַסֶּ֣לַע15 of 19

“out of this rock”

H5553

a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)

הַזֶּ֔ה16 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

נוֹצִ֥יא17 of 19

“must we fetch”

H3318

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

לָכֶ֖ם18 of 19
H0
מָֽיִם׃19 of 19

“you water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

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 20:10 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 20:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 106:32-33Genesis 40:8Ephesians 4:26Numbers 11:22-23Genesis 41:16Matthew 5:22

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