Numbers 14:4

And they said to one another, “Let us appoint our leader, and so return to Egypt.”

Catholic Public Domain Version

In The King James Version

And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

In Context

3“If only we had died in Egypt,” and, “If only we would perish in this vast wilderness,” and, “May the Lord not lead us into this land, lest we fall by the sword, and our wives, as well as our children, be led away as captives. Is it not better to return to Egypt?”

5And when Moses and Aaron heard this, they fell prone on the ground in the sight of the multitude of the sons of Israel.

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Cross References

Numbers 11:20but for up to a month of days, until it exits from your nostrils, and until it turns into nausea for you, because you have slipped away from the Lord, who is in your midst, and because you have wept before him, saying: ‘Why did we go forth out of Egypt?’”

Deuteronomy 28:68The Lord will lead you back into Egypt with a fleet of ships, along the way, about which he said to you that you would not see it again. In that place, you will be put up for sale as men and women servants to your enemies, but there will be no one willing to buy you.”

Nehemiah 9:17And they were not willing to hear, and they did not remember, your miracles which you had accomplished for them. And they hardened their necks, and they offered their head, so that they would return to their servitude, as if in contention. But you, a forgiving God, lenient and merciful, longsuffering and full of compassion, did not abandon them.

Luke 17:32Remember Lot’s wife.

Hebrews 10:38For my just man lives by faith. But if he were to draw himself back, he would not please my soul.”

2 Peter 2:21For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of justice than, after acknowledging it, to turn away from that holy commandment which was handed on to them.

Matthew Henry on Numbers 14:2-5

The Murmuring of the Israelites. ( b. c. 1490.) 1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! 3 And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Numbers 14:4