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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They quarreled with Moses and said, &#8220If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The people blamed Moses and said, “If only we had died in the LORD’s presence with our brothers!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the people contended with Moses and spoke, saying: “If only we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the people argued with Moses and spoke, saying, “If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The people thus contended with Moses and spoke, saying, &#8220If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The people thus contended with Moses and spoke, saying, “If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The people thus contended with Moses and spoke, saying, “If only we had breathed our last when our brothers breathed their last before Yahweh!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The people contended with Moses, and said, “If only we had perished when our brothers perished [in the plague] before the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The people quarreled with Moses and said, &#8220If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the people strove with Moses, and spake, saying, Would that we had died when our brethren died before Jehovah!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and complained, "Moses, we'd be better off if we had died along with the others in front of the LORD's sacred tent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the people strove with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The people complained to Moses and said, "If only we had died when the other Israelites died in the LORD's presence!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and complained: "It would have been better if we had died in front of the LORD's Tent along with the other Israelites. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />As the people argued with Moses, they told him, "We wish that we had died when our relatives died in the LORD's presence! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The people quarreled with Moses and said, ?If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The people contended with Moses, saying, "If only we had died when our brothers died before the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The people strove with Moses, and spoke, saying, "We wish that we had died when our brothers died before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the people chid with Moses, and spoke, saying, O that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The people quarreled with Moses, and spoke, saying, “We wish that we had died when our brothers died before Yahweh! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the people strive with Moses and speak, saying, “And oh that we had expired when our brothers expired before YHWH!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the people strive with Moses, and speak, saying, 'And oh that we had expired when our brethren expired before Jehovah!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will contend with Moses, and will speak, saying, Would that we died in the dying of our brethren before Jehovah!<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And making a sedition, they said: Would God we had perished among our brethren before the Lord. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And as it turned into sedition, they said: “If only we had perished among our brothers in the sight of the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The people quarreled with Moses, exclaiming, “Would that we had perished when our kindred perished before the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The people quarreled with Moses and said, “Would that we had died when our kindred died before the LORD!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the people quarreled with Moses and with Aaron, saying, Would God that we had died with the death with which our brethren died before the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the people contended with Moshe and they said to him: “Oh that we had died in the plague of our brethren before LORD JEHOVAH!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the people strove with Moses, and spoke, saying: 'Would that we had perished when our brethren perished before the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the people reviled Moses, saying, Would we had died in the destruction of our brethren before the Lord!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/20-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=6243" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/20.htm">Water from the Rock</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">The people</a> <a href="/hebrew/7378.htm" title="7378: way·yā·reḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- Or ruwb; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. Grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. Hold a controversy; to defend.">quarreled</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">Moses</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3863.htm" title="3863: wə·lū (Conj-w:: Prep) -- If, oh that. Or lu; or luw; a conditional particle; if; by implication would that!">“If only</a> <a href="/hebrew/1478.htm" title="1478: ḡā·wa‘·nū (V-Qal-Perf-1cp) -- To expire, perish, die. A primitive root; to breathe out, i.e. expire.">we had perished</a> <a href="/hebrew/1478.htm" title="1478: biḡ·wa‘ (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To expire, perish, die. A primitive root; to breathe out, i.e. expire."></a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’a·ḥê·nū (N-mpc:: 1cp) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">with our brothers</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD!</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2-3</a></span><br />So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?” / 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?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-32.htm">Psalm 106:32-33</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-10.htm">1 Corinthians 10:10</a></span><br />And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2-3</a></span><br />And there in the desert the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. / “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!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-26.htm">Deuteronomy 1:26-27</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/15-24.htm">Exodus 15:24</a></span><br />So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-11.htm">Exodus 14:11-12</a></span><br />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? / Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-2.htm">Numbers 14:2-3</a></span><br />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! / 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?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/21-5.htm">Numbers 21:5</a></span><br />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!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/9-22.htm">Deuteronomy 9:22-24</a></span><br />You continued to provoke the LORD at Taberah, at Massah, and at Kibroth-hattaavah. / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-7.htm">Hebrews 3:7-11</a></span><br />Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/11-4.htm">Numbers 11:4-6</a></span><br />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!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/16-41.htm">Numbers 16:41</a></span><br />The next day the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the LORD’s people!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-18.htm">Psalm 78:18-20</a></span><br />They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved. / 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?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-41.htm">John 6:41-43</a></span><br />At this, the Jews began to grumble about Jesus because He had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” / They were asking, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then can He say, ‘I have come down from heaven?’” / “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus replied.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the people strived with Moses, and spoke, saying, Would God that we had died when our brothers died before the LORD!</p><p class="hdg">God</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/14-1.htm">Numbers 14:1,2</a></b></br> And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2,3</a></b></br> And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2</a></b></br> Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?</p><p class="hdg">when</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/11-1.htm">Numbers 11:1,33,34</a></b></br> And <i>when</i> the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard <i>it</i>; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed <i>them that were</i> in the uttermost parts of the camp… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/14-36.htm">Numbers 14:36,37</a></b></br> And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/16-31.htm">Numbers 16:31-35,49</a></b></br> And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that <i>was</i> under them: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/16-22.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/genesis/31-36.htm">Chid</a> <a href="/genesis/31-36.htm">Chode</a> <a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Contended</a> <a href="/numbers/19-18.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/numbers/20-1.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/20-1.htm">Died</a> <a href="/numbers/17-12.htm">Expired</a> <a href="/numbers/20-2.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/numbers/17-12.htm">Overtaken</a> <a href="/numbers/17-12.htm">Perished</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-10.htm">Quarreled</a> <a href="/numbers/19-2.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-10.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-10.htm">Strove</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/22-22.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/judges/8-1.htm">Chid</a> <a href="/genesis/31-36.htm">Chode</a> <a href="/numbers/20-13.htm">Contended</a> <a href="/numbers/20-29.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/numbers/20-4.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/20-28.htm">Died</a> <a href="/numbers/20-29.htm">Expired</a> <a href="/numbers/20-7.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-16.htm">Overtaken</a> <a href="/numbers/21-29.htm">Perished</a> <a href="/numbers/20-13.htm">Quarreled</a> <a href="/numbers/20-8.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-11.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/numbers/20-13.htm">Strove</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-1.htm">The children of Israel come to Zin, where Miriam dies.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-2.htm">They murmur for want of water</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-7.htm">Moses smiting the rock, brings forth water at Meribah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-14.htm">Moses at Kadesh desires passage through Edom, which is denied him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-22.htm">At Mount Hor Aaron resigns his place to Eleazar, and dies</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The people quarreled with Moses</b><br>This phrase highlights the recurring theme of Israel's dissatisfaction and rebellion during their wilderness journey. The Israelites often expressed their grievances against Moses, who was God's appointed leader. This reflects a lack of faith and trust in God's provision and plan. The quarrel here is not just a disagreement but a deeper spiritual rebellion against God's authority. This pattern of behavior is seen throughout the Exodus narrative, such as in <a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2-3</a> and <a href="/numbers/14-2.htm">Numbers 14:2</a>, where the people also grumbled against Moses and Aaron.<p><b>and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD!</b><br>This statement reveals the depth of despair and frustration among the Israelites. The reference to "our brothers" likely alludes to the previous generation that died in the wilderness due to their disobedience and lack of faith, as seen in <a href="/numbers/14-29.htm">Numbers 14:29-35</a>. The phrase "before the LORD" indicates that these deaths were seen as direct judgments from God. This longing for death rather than facing current hardships shows a lack of understanding of God's purpose and promise for them. It also reflects a failure to remember God's past deliverance and faithfulness, as seen in the crossing of the Red Sea and the provision of manna. This attitude contrasts with the New Testament call to perseverance and faith in trials, as seen in <a href="/james/1-2.htm">James 1:2-4</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of Israel, who were wandering in the desert after their exodus from Egypt. They often struggled with faith and obedience, leading to frequent complaints and rebellions against God and Moses.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. Moses often found himself mediating between God and the Israelites.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_desert_of_zin.htm">The Desert of Zin</a></b><br>The location where the Israelites camped and where this particular event of quarreling took place. It was a harsh environment that tested the faith and patience of the Israelites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_quarrel.htm">The Quarrel</a></b><br>A significant event where the Israelites expressed their frustration and lack of faith by wishing they had died earlier, showing their despair and lack of trust in God's provision.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who had delivered them from Egypt and was guiding them to the Promised Land. The Israelites' complaints were ultimately against Him, despite His continuous provision and guidance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_complaining.htm">The Danger of Complaining</a></b><br>Complaining reflects a lack of trust in God's provision and plan. It can lead to a hardened heart and distance from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>Moses' experience highlights the challenges leaders face when guiding people through difficult times. It underscores the need for patience, prayer, and reliance on God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_adversity.htm">Faith in Adversity</a></b><br>The Israelites' situation teaches us the importance of maintaining faith and trust in God, even when circumstances seem dire.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_rebellion.htm">The Consequences of Rebellion</a></b><br>The Israelites' repeated rebellion serves as a warning of the spiritual and practical consequences of turning away from God's guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>Despite the Israelites' complaints, God remained faithful, providing for their needs and guiding them. This reassures us of God's unchanging nature and His commitment to His promises.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_patmos_in_the_bible.htm">What occurred at Meribah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_moses'_ban_affect_his_account's_credibility.htm">Deuteronomy 3:26 indicates Moses was forbidden to enter the land--how does this affect the credibility of his supposed firsthand account?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_one_act_bar_moses_from_canaan.htm">Numbers 20:12 - Why would a single act of disobedience prevent Moses and Aaron from entering the Promised Land, despite their lifelong dedication?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_definition_of_mosaic_law.htm">What is the definition of Mosaic Law?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">Would God that we had died . . . --</span>The reference seems to be to the plague which broke out after the insurrection of Korah. The language of the murmurers is very similar to that which is recorded in <a href="/numbers/16-14.htm" title="Moreover you have not brought us into a land that flows with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: will you put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.">Numbers 16:14</a>, and the word <span class= "ital">gava </span>(die, or expire), which is twice used in this verse, and which occurs in <a href="/numbers/16-26.htm" title="And he spoke to the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins.">Numbers 16:26</a>; <a href="/numbers/16-28.htm" title="And Moses said, Hereby you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of my own mind.">Numbers 16:28</a>, in connection with the history of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, is found only in one other place throughout the last four books of the Pentateuch--viz., <a href="/numbers/20-29.htm" title="And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel.">Numbers 20:29</a>. The probability that that plague was of comparatively recent occurrence, and not separated from the present murmuring by a period of nearly forty years, has been inferred from the use of the word <span class= "ital">brethren </span>in this verse. The generation which was contemporary with those who perished in the plague which followed the rebellion of Korah is supposed by some to have been almost extinct at the time to which the events recorded in this chapter are commonly referred, and the word <span class= "ital">fathers, </span>it is alleged, would, in that case, have been more applicable to those who perished than <span class= "ital">brethren. </span>It may be observed, further, that the inquiry, "Wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt?" is more natural when regarded as the language of the generation which had come up out of Egypt as adults, and who looked back to the exodus as to a recent event, than when regarded as that of a generation of which a large number had been born in the wilderness, and the rest had left Egypt nearly forty years previously. These considerations, however, do not appear to be entitled to much weight. The older portion of the congregation, who would naturally be the spokesmen, would speak of those who perished in the insurrection of Korah as their <span class= "ital">brethren, </span>whether the event itself was of recent occurrence or not; and the words which are rendered "Why have ye brought up, &c.?" may, with equal propriety, be rendered "Why did ye bring up, &c.?"(Comp. <a href="/numbers/20-16.htm" title="And when we cried to the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and has brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of your border:">Numbers 20:16</a> and Note).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the people abode with Moses.</span> As their fathers had done in similar circumstances, as recorded in <a href="/exodus/17.htm">Exodus 17</a>. <span class="cmt_word">Would God that we had died.</span> See on Numbers 14:2. <span class="cmt_word">When our brethren died before the Lord.</span> This is difficult, because the visitations of God at Kibroth-hattaavah (<a href="/numbers/11-34.htm">Numbers 11:34</a>) and at Kadesh (<a href="/numbers/14-37.htm">Numbers 14:37</a>) had overtaken not their brethren, but their fathers, some thirty-eight years before. On the other hand, the daily mortality which had carried off their brethren is clearly excluded by the phrase, "before the Lord." It may he that the rebellion of Korah happened towards <span class="cmt_word">the</span> end of the period of wandering, and that the reference is to the plague which followed it; or it may be that the formula of complaint had become stereotyped, as those of children often do, and was employed from time <span class="cmt_word">to</span> time without variation and without definite reference. The latter supposition is strongly supported by the character of the words which follow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/20-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The people</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">quarreled</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֥רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7378.htm">Strong's 7378: </a> </span><span class="str2">To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">עִם־</span> <span class="translit">(‘im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Moses</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“If only</span><br /><span class="heb">וְל֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3863.htm">Strong's 3863: </a> </span><span class="str2">If, would that!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we had perished</span><br /><span class="heb">גָוַ֛עְנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḡā·wa‘·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1478.htm">Strong's 1478: </a> </span><span class="str2">To breathe out, expire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when our brothers</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחֵ֖ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fell dead</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּגְוַ֥ע</span> <span class="translit">(biḡ·wa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1478.htm">Strong's 1478: </a> </span><span class="str2">To breathe out, expire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/20-3.htm">Numbers 20:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/20-3.htm">Numbers 20:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/20-3.htm">Numbers 20:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/20-3.htm">Numbers 20:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/20-3.htm">Numbers 20:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/20-3.htm">Numbers 20:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/20-3.htm">Numbers 20:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/20-3.htm">Numbers 20:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/20-3.htm">Numbers 20:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/20-3.htm">Numbers 20:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/20-3.htm">OT Law: Numbers 20:3 The people strove with Moses and spoke (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/20-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 20:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 20:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/20-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 20:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 20:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>