Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 14:14
And they will tell [it] to the inhabitants of this land: [for] they have heard that thou LORD [art] among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and [that] thy cloud standeth over them, and [that] thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.
14. and they will tell it ] and they will say. What they will say is not related till Num 14:16, which is introduced by the last words of Num 14:15: ‘will speak, saying.’ Num 14:13-14 appear to be composed of a series of glosses; and Num 14:14 seems to be corrupt; the LXX. , Syr. and Vulg. each presupposes a different reading. It is probable that Moses’ words originally began at Num 14:15.
this land ] i.e. Canaan, which the people have just refused to enter.
and thy cloud standeth over them ] A conception of the cloud different from that in the following clauses; ‘standeth over them’ implies that the cloud stood over the Tabernacle which was in their midst. The words are probably a priestly gloss, based upon Num 10:34.
and thou goest before them &c.] This is the conception of the cloud found in J . See note on Num 9:15-23.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 14. That thy cloud standeth over them] This cloud, the symbol of the Divine glory, and proof of the Divine presence, appears to have assumed three different forms for three important purposes.
1. It appeared by day in the form of a pillar of a sufficient height to be seen by all the camp, and thus went before them to point out their way in the desert. Ex 40:38.
2. It appeared by night as a pillar of fire to give them light while travelling by night, which they probably sometimes did; (see Nu 9:21😉 or to illuminate their tents in their encampment; Ex 13:21-22.
3. It stood at certain times above the whole congregation, overshadowing them from the scorching rays of the sun; and probably at other times condensed the vapours, and precipitated rain or dew for the refreshment of the people. He spread a cloud for their covering; and fire to give light in the night; Ps 105:39. It was probably from this circumstance that the shadow of the Lord was used to signify the Divine protection, not only by the Jews, but also by other Asiatic nations. See Clarke on Nu 14:9, and see particularly Clarke’s note on “Ex 13:21“.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
To the inhabitants of this land, for there was much intercourse between these two nations.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And they will tell [it] to the inhabitants of this land,…. The land of Canaan, between which and Egypt there was an intercourse, though not by the way of the wilderness, being neighbours, and their original ancestors brethren, as Mizraim and Canaan were; or “they will say” t, and that with joy, as the Targum of Jonathan adds; but what they would say does not appear so plain; either it was that the Israelites were killed in the wilderness, a tale they would tell with pleasure; but that the Canaanites would hear of doubtless before them, and not need their information, since the Israelites were upon their borders; or that the Lord had brought them out of Egypt indeed, but could carry them no further, could not introduce them into the land he had promised them; or rather they would say to them what follows, for the preposition “for” is not in the text, and may be omitted; and so the sense is, they will tell them,
they have heard that thou Lord [art] among this people; in the tabernacle that was in the midst of them, in the most holy place of it:
that thou Lord art seen face to face: as he was by Moses, who was at the head of them:
and [that] thy cloud standeth over them; and sheltered and protected them from the heat of the sun in the daytime, when it rested upon them in their encampment:
and [that] thou goest before them, by daytime in a pillar of a cloud,
and in a pillar of fire by night; in their journeys; they will tell of those favours thou hast shown Israel; and yet, after all, will observe that thou hast destroyed them, which will not redound to thine honour and glory.
t “et dicent”, Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius, &c.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
14. They have heard The inspired prediction of Moses in his song (Exo 15:14-16) was already fulfilled. See Num 14:9, note, and Jos 2:9-11.
Seen face to face This is equivalent to the phrase, “speak mouth to mouth.” Num 12:8, note. Strictly speaking, Moses never saw the face of Jehovah. “Thou canst not see my face; for there shall no man see me, and live.” Exo 33:20.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Num 14:14. And they will tell it, &c. Houbigant, remarking justly the embarrassment of this verse, by a slight alteration of the text reads it thus: and in truth, all the inhabitants of this land have heard that though, &c. which is agreeable to the LXX. for , vemru, they will tell, he reads , veulem, in truth; the reader will observe, that it and for are not in the Hebrew.
Thou Lord art seen face to face Houbigant has it, ut in oculis eorum appares, that thou appearest in their sight. The literal version of the Hebrew is, that thou hast been seen eye to eye; i.e. that thy presence has been brightly revealed to them; not obscurely, or at a distance.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Num 14:14 And they will tell [it] to the inhabitants of this land: [for] they have heard that thou LORD [art] among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and [that] thy cloud standeth over them, and [that] thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.
Ver. 14. And they will tell it. ] The proverb is, Oculus et fama non patiuntur iocos, A man’s eye and his good name can bear no jests. And he a was no fool that said, Negligere quid de se quisque dicat, non solum arrogantis est, sed et dissolati, He shall pass for a proud fool that makes no matter what men say of him. God is most tender of his glory; and we must take heed how we cast any slur upon it; for we quarter arms, as it were, with God.
a Cicero.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
face to face. Hebrew eye to eye.
Thy cloud. Compare Exo 13:21.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
they have: Exo 15:14, Jos 2:9, Jos 2:10, Jos 5:1
art seen: Num 12:8, Gen 32:30, Exo 33:11, Deu 5:4, Deu 34:10, Joh 1:18, Joh 14:9, 1Co 13:12, 1Jo 3:2
thy cloud: Num 9:15-21, Num 10:34, Exo 13:21, Exo 13:22, Exo 40:38, Neh 9:12, Neh 9:19, Psa 78:14, Psa 105:39
Reciprocal: Gen 32:25 – that he Exo 33:16 – in that Num 16:3 – the Lord Deu 1:33 – in fire Deu 7:21 – the Lord Jdg 6:13 – if the Lord 2Sa 7:23 – went Isa 63:11 – Where is he that brought Joe 2:17 – wherefore Zec 8:23 – we have 1Co 10:1 – were