New International Version Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors? New Living Translation Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors? English Standard Version Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child,’ to the land that you swore to give their fathers? Berean Standard Bible Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth, so that You should tell me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries an infant,’ to the land that You swore to give their fathers? Berean Literal Bible Did I conceive all this people? Or did I beget them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land that You swore to their fathers? King James Bible Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? New King James Version Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land which You swore to their fathers? New American Standard Bible Was it I who conceived all this people? Or did I give birth to them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your arms, as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which You swore to their fathers’? NASB 1995 “Was it I who conceived all this people? Was it I who brought them forth, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which You swore to their fathers ‘? NASB 1977 “Was it I who conceived all this people? Was it I who brought them forth, that Thou shouldest say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which Thou didst swear to their fathers’? Legacy Standard Bible Was it I who conceived all this people? Was it I who gave birth to them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom as a nurse carries a nursing baby, to the land which You swore to their fathers’? Amplified Bible Was it I who conceived all these people? Was it I who brought them forth, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your arms as a nurse carries the nursing infant, to the land which You swore to their fathers’? Berean Annotated Bible Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth, so that You should tell me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land that You swore to give their fathers? Christian Standard Bible Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth so you should tell me, ‘Carry them at your breast, as a nursing mother carries a baby,’ to the land that you swore to give their ancestors? Holman Christian Standard Bible Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth so You should tell me, ‘Carry them at your breast, as a nursing woman carries a baby,’ to the land that You swore to give their fathers? American Standard Version Have I conceived all this people? have I brought them forth, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing-father carrieth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? Contemporary English Version but they're not my children. You told me to nurse them along and to carry them to the land you promised their ancestors. English Revised Version Have I conceived all this people? have I brought them forth, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing-father carrieth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? GOD'S WORD® Translation Am I their mother? Did I give birth to them? Are you really asking me to carry them in my arms-as a nurse carries a baby-all the way to the land you promised their ancestors with an oath? Good News Translation I didn't create them or bring them to birth! Why should you ask me to act like a nurse and carry them in my arms like babies all the way to the land you promised to their ancestors? International Standard Version Did I conceive this people or give birth to them, so that you would tell me to carry them near my heart like a wet nurse carries a suckling baby to the land that you promised to their forefathers? NET Bible Did I conceive this entire people? Did I give birth to them, that you should say to me, 'Carry them in your arms, as a foster father bears a nursing child,' to the land which you swore to their fathers? New Heart English Bible Have I conceived all this people? Have I brought them forth, that you should tell me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which you swore to their fathers?' Webster's Bible Translation Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say to me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing-father beareth the sucking child, to the land which thou sworest to their fathers? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleDid I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth, so that You should tell me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries an infant,’ to the land that You swore to give their fathers? World English Bible Have I conceived all this people? Have I brought them out, that you should tell me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which you swore to their fathers?’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionI—have I conceived all this people? I—have I begotten it, that You say to me, Carry it in your bosom, as the one supporting carries the nursing suckling, to the ground which You have sworn to its fathers? Berean Literal Bible Did I conceive all this people? Or did I beget them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land that You swore to their fathers? Young's Literal Translation I -- have I conceived all this people? I -- have I begotten it, that Thou sayest unto me, Carry it in thy bosom as the nursing father beareth the suckling, unto the ground which Thou hast sworn to its fathers? Smith's Literal Translation Did I form all this people? did I beget them? for thou wilt say to me, Lift them up into thy bosom, as a nurse will lift up the sucking child upon the land which thou swarest to their fathers. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHave I conceived all this multitude, or begotten them, that thou shouldst say to me: Carry them in thy bosom as the nurse is wont to carry the little infant, and bear them into the land, for which thou hast sworn to their fathers? Catholic Public Domain Version Could I have conceived this entire multitude, or have given birth to them, so that you might say to me: Carry them in your bosom, as a nursemaid usually carries a little infant, and bring them into the land, about which you have sworn to their fathers? New American Bible Was it I who conceived all this people? or was it I who gave them birth, that you tell me to carry them at my breast, like a nurse carrying an infant, to the land you have promised under oath to their fathers? New Revised Standard Version Did I conceive all this people? Did I give birth to them, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a sucking child, to the land that you promised on oath to their ancestors’? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHave I conceived all this people? Or have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say to me, Carry them in your bosom, as a nursing father carries the suckling child, to the land which thou swearest to their fathers? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Have I conceived all this people or have I given birth to it, that you say to me, ‘Take it up into your bosom like a nurse taking up an infant, to the land that I swore to their fathers?.’ OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Have I conceived all this people? have I brought them forth, that Thou shouldest say unto me: Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing-father carrieth the sucking child, unto the land which Thou didst swear unto their fathers? Brenton Septuagint Translation Have I conceived all this people, or have I born them? that thou sayest to me, Take them into thy bosom, as a nurse would take her suckling, into the land which thou swarest to their fathers? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Complaint of Moses…11So Moses asked the LORD, “Why have You brought this trouble on Your servant? Why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid upon me the burden of all these people? 12Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth, so that You should tell me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries an infant,’ to the land that You swore to give their fathers? 13Where can I get meat for all these people? For they keep crying out to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’… Cross References Did I conceive all these people? Deuteronomy 32:6 Is this how you repay the LORD, O foolish and senseless people? Is He not your Father and Creator? Has He not made you and established you? Malachi 2:10 Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why then do we break faith with one another so as to profane the covenant of our fathers? Exodus 4:22-23 Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son, / and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’” Did I give them birth, Deuteronomy 32:18 You ignored the Rock who brought you forth; you forgot the God who gave you birth. Isaiah 66:9 Shall I bring a baby to the point of birth and not deliver it?” says the LORD. “Or will I who deliver close the womb?” says your God. Isaiah 66:7-8 “Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before she was in pain, she delivered a boy. / Who has heard of such as this? Who has seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be delivered in an instant? Yet as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children. so that You should tell me, Deuteronomy 1:9-12 At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone. / The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. / May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised. … Exodus 18:18 Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone. Numbers 27:17 who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” ‘Carry them in your bosom, Isaiah 40:11 He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes. Deuteronomy 1:31 and in the wilderness, where the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way by which you traveled until you reached this place.” Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you. as a nurse carries an infant,’ Isaiah 66:12 For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flowing stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm, and bounced upon her knees. Isaiah 49:23 Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.” 1 Thessalonians 2:7 On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children. to the land that You swore to give their fathers? Deuteronomy 1:8 See, I have placed the land before you. Enter and possess the land that the LORD swore He would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to their descendants after them.” Treasury of Scripture Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that you should say to me, Carry them in your bosom, as a nursing father bears the sucking child, to the land which you swore to their fathers? carry them Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Ezekiel 34:23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. as a nursing Isaiah 49:15,23 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee… Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, 1 Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: the land Genesis 13:15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. Genesis 22:16,17 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: … Genesis 26:3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; Jump to Previous Arms Beareth Begotten Bosom Carries Carrieth Carry Child Conceive Infant Promised Shouldest Shouldst Sucking Swarest Swear Swore SworestJump to Next Arms Beareth Begotten Bosom Carries Carrieth Carry Child Conceive Infant Promised Shouldest Shouldst Sucking Swarest Swear Swore SworestNumbers 11 1. The burning at Taberah quenched by Moses' prayer4. The people crave meat, and loathe manna 10. Moses complains of his charge 16. God promises to divide his burden unto seventy elders, 18. and to give the people meat for a month 21. Moses' faith is staggered 31. Quails are given in wrath at Kibroth Hattaavah Did I conceive all these people? Moses voices the strain of bearing responsibility for a nation whose complaints had become relentless. He had led Israel out of Egypt at God’s command, but he could not regard the entire people as his own children or supply all their needs. Deu 32:6 Is this how you repay the LORD, O foolish and senseless… Did I give them birth, The maternal image stresses that Israel belonged to God, who had formed them into a people and entered covenant with their fathers. Moses could guide them, but he could not carry the weight of sustaining them by his own strength. Deu 32:18 You ignored the Rock who brought you forth;… so that You should tell me, Moses speaks openly before the Lord, bringing his exhaustion and confusion directly to the One who had appointed him. Deu 1:9-12 At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden… ‘Carry them in your bosom, God’s charge required patient, protective care for a people often fearful, rebellious, and demanding. Moses was to lead them as one entrusted with the welfare of those unable to provide for themselves. Isa 40:11 He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs… as a nurse carries an infant,’ The comparison reveals the tenderness and endurance required of Israel’s leader. Their dependence was not temporary; throughout the wilderness journey, they repeatedly needed instruction, correction, provision, and intercession. Isa 66:12 For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her… to the land that You swore to give their fathers? The destination remained certain because God had sworn to give Canaan to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses’ weakness did not cancel the promise, but it exposed his need for God’s help in carrying out the task. Deu 1:8 See, I have placed the land before you. Enter and possess… Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. In this verse, Moses is expressing his frustration and feeling of inadequacy in bearing the burden of leading the Israelites. 2. The Israelites The people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now journeying through the wilderness to the Promised Land. They are often depicted as grumbling and complaining, which adds to Moses' burden. 3. The Wilderness The setting for this event, representing a place of testing and reliance on God. It is a physical and spiritual journey for the Israelites. 4. The Promised Land The land God swore to give to the forefathers of the Israelites. It symbolizes God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. 5. God The sovereign Lord who called Moses to lead His people. He is the one who provides guidance, strength, and sustenance for the journey. Teaching Points The Burden of LeadershipLeadership often comes with heavy burdens and responsibilities. Like Moses, leaders may feel overwhelmed and inadequate. It is important to seek God's guidance and strength in these times. Dependence on God Moses' cry to God reflects a deep dependence on divine help. Believers are encouraged to rely on God for strength and wisdom, especially when facing overwhelming tasks. Shared Responsibility Just as Moses needed to share the burden of leadership, we are reminded of the importance of community and delegation. In the body of Christ, we are called to support one another. God's Faithfulness Despite the challenges, God remains faithful to His promises. The journey to the Promised Land is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His people. Prayer and Honest Communication with God Moses' honest prayer shows that we can bring our frustrations and concerns to God. He invites us to communicate openly with Him, trusting in His understanding and provision. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 11:12?2. How does Numbers 11:12 reflect Moses' feelings of leadership responsibility? 3. What does Moses' question reveal about his relationship with God in Numbers 11:12? 4. How can we trust God with burdens, as Moses did in Numbers 11:12? 5. Compare Moses' leadership struggles in Numbers 11:12 to Jesus' servant leadership. 6. How can we apply Moses' honesty with God to our prayer life today? 7. How does Numbers 11:12 reflect God's relationship with Moses and the Israelites? 8. What does Numbers 11:12 reveal about Moses' leadership challenges? 9. How does Numbers 11:12 illustrate God's provision for His people? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 11? (12) Have I conceived . .?--The personal pronoun is emphatic in this and the following clause: Is it I who have conceived all this people? Is it I who have brought them forth? (or, begotten them), as in Genesis 4:18; Genesis 10:8.Verse 12. - Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father. Probably he meant to say that this was the part and the duty of God himself as the Creator and Father of Israel. Compare the reading, which is perhaps the correct one, in Acts 13:18: Τεσσαρακονταετῆ χρόνον ἐτροφοόρησεν αὐτοὺς ἑν τῇ ἐρήμῳ. Moses’ five-part lament underscores two truths: • Leadership burdens are real, but ultimate responsibility for God’s people always remains with God. • The covenant promise of the land is anchored in God’s sworn word, guaranteeing that He Himself will supply the strength, guidance, and care needed to complete the journey. Hebrew Did Iהֶאָנֹכִ֣י (he·’ā·nō·ḵî) Article | Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I conceive הָרִ֗יתִי (hā·rî·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 2029: To conceive, become pregnant all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every these הַזֶּ֔ה (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that people? הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock Did I אָנֹכִ֖י (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I give them birth, יְלִדְתִּ֑יהוּ (yə·liḏ·tî·hū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage so that כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction You should tell תֹאמַ֨ר (ṯō·mar) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say me, אֵלַ֜י (’ê·lay) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to ‘Carry them שָׂאֵ֣הוּ (śā·’ê·hū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take in your bosom, בְחֵיקֶ֗ךָ (ḇə·ḥê·qe·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 2436: The bosom as כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that a nurse הָאֹמֵן֙ (hā·’ō·mên) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 539: To confirm, support carries יִשָּׂ֤א (yiś·śā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take a nursing infant,’ הַיֹּנֵ֔ק (hay·yō·nêq) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3243: To suck, to give milk to עַ֚ל (‘al) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the land הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה (hā·’ă·ḏā·māh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 127: Ground, land that אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that You swore to give נִשְׁבַּ֖עְתָּ (niš·ba‘·tā) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear their fathers? לַאֲבֹתָֽיו׃ (la·’ă·ḇō·ṯāw) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1: Father Additonal Resources Numbers 11:12 Blue Letter BibleNumbers 11:12 Bible Gateway Numbers 11:12 Bible.com Numbers 11:12 NIV |
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