Numbers 20:3
“And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!”
Numbers 20:3 in 7 translations
- KJVKing James Version
- And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!
- DRADouay–Rheims
- And making a sedition, they said: Would God we had perished among our brethren before the Lord.
- ASVAmerican Standard Version
- And the people strove with Moses, and spake, saying, Would that we had died when our brethren died before Jehovah!
- DARBYDarby
- And the people contended with Moses, and spoke, saying, Would that we had died when our brethren died before Jehovah!
- WEBThe World English Bible
- The people strove with Moses, and spoke, saying, We wish that we had died when our brothers died before Yahweh!
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- and the people strive with Moses, and speak, saying, 'And oh that we had expired when our brethren expired before Jehovah!
- BPVBiblePics Version
- The people argued with Moses, saying, "If only we had died with our brothers before the Lord!"
Context: Numbers 20
1Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.
2And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
3And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!
4And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?
5And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.
About Numbers 20: Water from the Rock
The Israelites are punished for not believing in God, as a result, Moses is not allowed to enter the promised land.
Commentary
In Numbers chapter 20, the Israelites are in the wilderness of Zin and are in need of water. Moses is instructed by God to take his staff and speak to a rock in order to bring forth water. However, instead of speaking to the rock, Moses strikes it twice with his staff. This angers God and He tells Moses and Aaron that because of their disobedience, they will not be allowed to enter the Promised Land.