New International Version Why did you bring the LORD’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? New Living Translation Why have you brought the congregation of the LORD’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? English Standard Version Why have you brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? Berean Standard Bible Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? Berean Literal Bible And why have you⁺ brought up the assembly of YHWH into this wilderness to die here—we and our livestock? King James Bible And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? New King James Version Why have you brought up the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our animals should die here? New American Standard Bible Why then have you brought the LORD’S assembly into this wilderness, for us and our livestock to die here? NASB 1995 “Why then have you brought the LORD’S assembly into this wilderness, for us and our beasts to die here? NASB 1977 “Why then have you brought the LORD’S assembly into this wilderness, for us and our beasts to die here? Legacy Standard Bible Why then have you brought the assembly of Yahweh into this wilderness, for us and our beasts to die here? Amplified Bible Why have you brought up the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness to die here, we and our livestock? Berean Annotated Bible Why have you⁺ brought the LORD’s {YHWH} assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? Christian Standard Bible Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? Holman Christian Standard Bible Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? American Standard Version And why have ye brought the assembly of Jehovah into this wilderness, that we should die there, we and our beasts? Contemporary English Version You brought us into this desert, and now we and our livestock are going to die! English Revised Version And why have ye brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we should die there, we and our cattle? GOD'S WORD® Translation Did you bring the LORD's assembly into this desert just to have us and our animals die here? Good News Translation Why have you brought us out into this wilderness? Just so that we can die here with our animals? International Standard Version Why did you bring the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness? So we and our cattle could die here? NET Bible Why have you brought up the LORD's community into this wilderness? So that we and our cattle should die here? New Heart English Bible Why have you brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we should die there, we and our animals? Webster's Bible Translation And why have ye brought the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhy have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? World English Bible Why have you brought Yahweh’s assembly into this wilderness, that we should die there, we and our animals? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd why have you brought in the assembly of YHWH to this wilderness to die there, we and our beasts? Berean Literal Bible And why have you⁺ brought up the assembly of YHWH into this wilderness to die here—we and our livestock? Young's Literal Translation and why have ye brought in the assembly of Jehovah unto this wilderness to die there, we and our beasts? Smith's Literal Translation And for what brought ye the gathering of Jehovah into this desert to die there, we and our cattle. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhy have you brought out the church of the Lord into the wilderness, that both we and our cattle should die? Catholic Public Domain Version Why have you led away the Church of the Lord, into the wilderness, so that both we and our cattle would die? New American Bible Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? New Revised Standard Version Why have you brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhy have you brought the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die here? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Why have you brought the assembly of LORD JEHOVAH to this wilderness that we should die here, we and our animals? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And why have ye brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, to die there, we and our cattle? Brenton Septuagint Translation And wherefore have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, to kill us and our cattle? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Water from the Rock…3The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD! 4Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? 5Why have you led us up out of Egypt to bring us to this wretched place? It is not a place of grain, figs, vines, or pomegranates—and there is no water to drink!”… Cross References Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly Numbers 14:2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! Exodus 16:2 And there in the desert the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. into this wilderness Exodus 16:3 “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!” Numbers 14:3 Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” for us and our livestock to die here? Exodus 17:3 But the people thirsted for water there, and they grumbled against Moses: “Why have you brought us out of Egypt—to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” Numbers 16:13 Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? Must you also appoint yourself as ruler over us? Exodus 14:11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us into the wilderness to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Psalm 106:32-33 At the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD, and trouble came to Moses because of them. / For they rebelled against His Spirit, and Moses spoke rashly with his lips. Deuteronomy 1:26-27 But you were unwilling to go up; you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. / You grumbled in your tents and said, “Because the LORD hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to be annihilated. Deuteronomy 9:23-24 And when the LORD sent you out from Kadesh-barnea, He said, “Go up and possess the land that I have given you.” But you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. You neither believed Him nor obeyed Him. / You have been rebelling against the LORD since the day I came to know you. Numbers 21:5 and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!” 1 Corinthians 10:10 And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel. Hebrews 3:16-19 For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? / And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed? … Numbers 11:4-6 Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat? / We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. / But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!” Psalm 78:19-20 They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? / When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?” John 6:30-31 So they asked Him, “What sign then will You perform, so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do? / Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Treasury of Scripture And why have you brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? why Numbers 11:5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: Exodus 5:21 And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us. Exodus 17:3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? that we Numbers 16:13,14,41 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? … Exodus 14:11,12 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? … Exodus 16:3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. Jump to Previous Animals Assembly Beasts Cattle Community Congregation Death Desert Die LORD'S Waste WildernessJump to Next Animals Assembly Beasts Cattle Community Congregation Death Desert Die LORD'S Waste WildernessNumbers 20 1. The children of Israel come to Zin, where Miriam dies.2. They murmur for want of water 7. Moses smiting the rock, brings forth water at Meribah 14. Moses at Kadesh desires passage through Edom, which is denied him 22. At Mount Hor Aaron resigns his place to Eleazar, and dies Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly Israel still identified itself as the people gathered by the LORD, yet the complaint against Moses and Aaron revealed distrust of the God who had redeemed and led them. Their words continued the pattern of grumbling that had marked the wilderness journey. Num 14:2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron,… into this wilderness The people were in the Desert of Zin, a barren region where water and pasture were scarce. God had brought them there according to His purpose, but Israel treated the hardship as evidence that their leaders had failed them. Exo 16:3 If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!… for us and our livestock to die here? Fear for their families and herds drove the complaint. Livestock were essential to Israel’s food, clothing, wealth, and worship, but their concern overlooked God’s past provision and His promise to bring the nation into the land He had given them. Exo 17:3 But the people thirsted for water there, and they grumbled… Persons / Places / Events 1. Moses and AaronLeaders of the Israelites, responsible for guiding them through the wilderness. 2. The Israelites The people of God, who are expressing their frustration and lack of faith in God's provision. 3. The Wilderness of Zin A desolate area where the Israelites are camped, highlighting their physical and spiritual challenges. 4. The LORD’s Assembly Refers to the congregation of Israel, emphasizing their identity as God's chosen people. 5. The Event of Complaint The Israelites' grumbling against Moses and Aaron due to the lack of water, reflecting a recurring theme of doubt and rebellion. Teaching Points Trust in God's ProvisionDespite the challenging circumstances, believers are called to trust in God's faithfulness and provision, just as the Israelites were expected to do. The Danger of Complaining Complaining can lead to a hardened heart and a lack of faith. Christians should cultivate gratitude and trust in God's plan. Leadership Under Pressure Moses and Aaron faced immense pressure from the people. This highlights the need for leaders to rely on God for wisdom and strength in difficult times. The Importance of Community The term "LORD’s assembly" reminds us of the importance of community in our faith journey. Believers should support and encourage one another, especially in times of trial. Learning from the Past The Israelites' repeated failures serve as a cautionary tale. Christians should learn from these accounts to avoid similar pitfalls in their spiritual walk. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 20:4?2. Why did the Israelites question being brought to "this wilderness" in Numbers 20:4? 3. How can we trust God's plan when facing our own "wilderness" today? 4. What past events in Exodus relate to the Israelites' complaint in Numbers 20:4? 5. How does Numbers 20:4 challenge us to rely on God's provision daily? 6. In what ways can we avoid grumbling against God's guidance like the Israelites? 7. Why did God allow the Israelites to wander in the desert for so long? 8. What does Numbers 20:4 reveal about God's provision and guidance? 9. How does Numbers 20:4 reflect the Israelites' lack of faith? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 20? Verse 4. - Why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness? These words are almost exactly repeated from Exodus 17:3. They, and those which follow, are no doubt out of place if considered as expressing the feelings of the great bulk of the people, who had no knowledge of Egypt, and had grown up in the wilderness. But on such occasions it is always the few who put words into the months of the many, and the ringleaders in this gainsaying would naturally be the survivors of the elder generation, whose dis. position was exactly the same as ever, and who had always shown a remarkable want of originality in their complaints. Numbers 20:4 captures a moment when God’s redeemed people, faced with fresh hardship, reinterpret His faithful leading as reckless abandonment. Each phrase exposes a layer of unbelief: questioning God’s motives, forgetting their privileged identity, resenting His chosen path, prioritizing temporal security, and assuming the worst outcome. The verse stands as a sober reminder that grumbling is not a trivial complaint but a direct challenge to the character of the God who unfailingly provides for His own. Trusting His proven faithfulness turns the wilderness from a graveyard of doubt into a training ground for deeper obedience. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Whyוְלָמָ֤ה (wə·lā·māh) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what have you brought הֲבֵאתֶם֙ (hă·ḇê·ṯem) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go the LORD’s יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel assembly קְהַ֣ל (qə·hal) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6951: Assembly, convocation, congregation into אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to this הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that wilderness הַמִּדְבָּ֖ר (ham·miḏ·bār) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech for us אֲנַ֖חְנוּ (’ă·naḥ·nū) Pronoun - first person common plural Strong's 587: We and our livestock וּבְעִירֵֽנוּ׃ (ū·ḇə·‘î·rê·nū) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural Strong's 1165: Beasts, cattle to die לָמ֣וּת (lā·mūṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 4191: To die, to kill here? שָׁ֔ם (šām) Adverb Strong's 8033: There, then, thither Additonal Resources Numbers 20:4 Blue Letter BibleNumbers 20:4 Bible Gateway Numbers 20:4 Bible.com Numbers 20:4 NIV |
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