Numbers 11:12
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?
Original Language Analysis
הָרִ֗יתִי
Have I conceived
H2029
הָרִ֗יתִי
Have I conceived
Strong's:
H2029
Word #:
2 of 24
to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively)
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֣ם
all this people
H5971
הָעָ֣ם
all this people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
7 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יְלִדְתִּ֑יהוּ
have I begotten
H3205
יְלִדְתִּ֑יהוּ
have I begotten
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
9 of 24
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תֹאמַ֨ר
them that thou shouldest say
H559
תֹאמַ֨ר
them that thou shouldest say
Strong's:
H559
Word #:
11 of 24
to say (used with great latitude)
יִשָּׂ֤א
beareth
H5375
יִשָּׂ֤א
beareth
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
13 of 24
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִשָּׂ֤א
beareth
H5375
יִשָּׂ֤א
beareth
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
16 of 24
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
הָֽאֹמֵן֙
as a nursing father
H539
הָֽאֹמֵן֙
as a nursing father
Strong's:
H539
Word #:
17 of 24
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַ֚ל
H5921
עַ֚ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
20 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
22 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Isaiah 40:11He 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.Isaiah 49:23And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.Exodus 13:5And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.1 Thessalonians 2:7But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:Genesis 50:24And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.Genesis 26:3Sojourn 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;
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures used familial metaphors for political relationships—kings as fathers, subjects as children. Moses' use of pregnancy/childbirth imagery was striking in a patriarchal culture where such language typically applied to mothers, not male leaders. This underscored the unnaturalness of Moses' burden—he was being forced into a role (nurturing parent) that wasn't his by right or nature. Only God is properly the parent of Israel (Exodus 4:22: 'Israel is my son, even my firstborn').
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that God's people belong to Him (not to human leaders) prevent both controlling manipulation and irresponsible abandonment in ministry?
- What does Moses' use of childbirth imagery reveal about the costly, painful nature of faithful spiritual leadership?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Moses' rhetorical questions intensify: 'Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them?' uses pregnancy and childbirth imagery to describe the relationship between leader and people. The implied answer ('No, God did') redirects responsibility to its proper source. God created Israel as His people through redemption from Egypt; Moses merely served as God's instrument. The servant cannot be held ultimately responsible for what belongs to the Master.
The question emphasizes a crucial leadership principle: leaders don't own the people they serve—God does. Moses recognized his role as steward, not owner. This prevents both tyrannical control (claiming ownership over people) and escapist abandonment (refusing responsibility God has assigned). Moses was neither dictator nor deserter but faithful servant seeking to honor both God's sovereignty and his own calling.
The childbirth metaphor anticipates Paul's description of pastoral ministry: 'My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you' (Galatians 4:19). Spiritual leadership involves birth-like labor—pain, effort, and burden—yet the children belong to God, not the human minister. This provides both comfort (ultimate responsibility rests with God) and accountability (we must serve faithfully as stewards of souls).