What does Numbers 11:14-15 mean?

"I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness." - Numbers 11:14-15

Numbers 11:14-15 - "I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me. If I am to do this, you must do me the favor of killing me at once, so I am no longer face my own ruin."

Numbers 11:14-15 - "I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me. If I am to do this, you must do me the favor of killing me at once, so I am no longer face my own ruin."

Numbers 11:14-15 in the King James Version of the Bible reads:

14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.

15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.

This passage comes from the book of Numbers in the Old Testament, which tells the story of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. In these verses, Moses is expressing his frustration with the burden of leading the Israelites, and he is crying out to God for help.

Moses' words reveal the immense pressure and sense of overwhelming responsibility he feels as the leader of the Israelites. He acknowledges that he is unable to bear the weight of caring for the entire nation on his own. This reflects the human struggle of feeling inadequate and unable to handle the challenges and difficulties of life without support.

Moses' desperation is further emphasized in verse 15 when he says, "And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness." This statement illustrates the depth of Moses' despair, as he essentially asks God to take his life if he cannot find relief from the burden he is carrying. It is a poignant expression of the emotional and mental toll that leadership and responsibility can take on individuals.

This passage also highlights an important aspect of Moses' relationship with God. Despite his distress and feelings of inadequacy, Moses does not turn away from God. Instead, he turns to God in prayer, expressing his innermost thoughts and emotions. This demonstrates the intimacy and honesty that characterize Moses' relationship with God, as well as the importance of seeking divine guidance and support in times of desperation.

One of the key themes in this passage is the human experience of feeling overwhelmed and burdened by the challenges of life. It reflects the universal struggle of carrying the weight of responsibilities and the emotional toll it can take. This theme resonates with people from all walks of life who have experienced moments of despair and desperation, feeling unable to cope with the demands placed upon them.

Another theme that emerges from this passage is the importance of seeking help and support from God and others in times of need. Moses' willingness to turn to God and express his vulnerability serves as a powerful example of the value of turning to a higher power for strength and comfort during difficult times. It also reminds readers of the importance of seeking support from community and loved ones when facing overwhelming challenges.

The context of these verses within the broader narrative of the book of Numbers also sheds light on their significance. The Israelites have been journeying through the wilderness, facing numerous trials and hardships along the way. Moses has been tasked with leading and guiding them, a responsibility that weighs heavily on him. This context adds depth to Moses' cry for help, as it is set against a backdrop of struggle and adversity.

Symbolism can also be found in this passage, particularly in Moses' plea for death if he cannot find relief from his burden. This can be seen as a symbolic representation of the human desire to escape from overwhelming suffering and limitations. It reflects the universal experience of feeling crushed under the weight of life's challenges and the longing for release from that burden.

In conclusion, Numbers 11:14-15 captures the raw and honest expression of Moses' emotional struggle and desperation as a leader. It resonates with readers as a poignant portrayal of the human experience of feeling overwhelmed and burdened by life's challenges. It also underscores the importance of seeking help and support from God and others in times of need. This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of turning to a higher power for strength and comfort during moments of despair, and the value of seeking support from community and loved ones.

Numbers 11:14-15 Artwork

Numbers 11:14-15 - "I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me. If I am to do this, you must do me the favor of killing me at once, so I am no longer face my own ruin."

Numbers 11:14-15 - "I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me. If I am to do this, you must do me the favor of killing me at once, so I am no longer face my own ruin."

Numbers 11:15

Numbers 11:15

Numbers 15:11 - "Thus shall it be done for one bullock, or for one ram, or for a lamb, or a kid."

Numbers 15:11 - "Thus shall it be done for one bullock, or for one ram, or for a lamb, or a kid."

Numbers 11:14 - "I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me."

Numbers 11:14 - "I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me."

Numbers 29:15 - "And a several tenth deal to each lamb of the fourteen lambs:"

Numbers 29:15 - "And a several tenth deal to each lamb of the fourteen lambs:"

Numbers 14:15 - "¶ Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,"

Numbers 14:15 - "¶ Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,"

Numbers 1:15 - "Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan."

Numbers 1:15 - "Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan."

Numbers 15:14 - "And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever be among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; as ye do, so he shall do."

Numbers 15:14 - "And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever be among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; as ye do, so he shall do."

Numbers 11:15 - "And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness."

Numbers 11:15 - "And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness."

Numbers 14:11 - "¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?"

Numbers 14:11 - "¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?"

Numbers 27:15 - "¶ And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying,"

Numbers 27:15 - "¶ And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying,"

Numbers 15:17 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Numbers 15:17 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Numbers 15:37 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Numbers 15:37 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Numbers 1:14 - "Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel."

Numbers 1:14 - "Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel."

Numbers 1:11 - "Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni."

Numbers 1:11 - "Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni."

Numbers 26:11 - "Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not."

Numbers 26:11 - "Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not."

Numbers 15:1 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Numbers 15:1 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Numbers 13:15 - "Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi."

Numbers 13:15 - "Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi."

Numbers 13:14 - "Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi."

Numbers 13:14 - "Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi."

Numbers 14:32 - "But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness."

Numbers 14:32 - "But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness."

Numbers 5:11 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Numbers 5:11 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Numbers 3:11 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Numbers 3:11 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Numbers 33:15 - "And they departed from Rephidim, and pitched in the wilderness of Sinai."

Numbers 33:15 - "And they departed from Rephidim, and pitched in the wilderness of Sinai."

Numbers 18:14 - "Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine."

Numbers 18:14 - "Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine."

Numbers 3:14 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,"

Numbers 3:14 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,"

Numbers 7:14 - "One spoon of ten shekels of gold, full of incense:"

Numbers 7:14 - "One spoon of ten shekels of gold, full of incense:"

Numbers 10:15 - "And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar."

Numbers 10:15 - "And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar."

Numbers 11:7 - "And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium."

Numbers 11:7 - "And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium."

Numbers 26:14 - "These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred."

Numbers 26:14 - "These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred."

Numbers 14:26 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,"

Numbers 14:26 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,"