Numbers Chapter 11 · Verse 12

Authorized King James Version

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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

הֶאָֽנֹכִ֣י H595
הֶאָֽנֹכִ֣י
Strong's: H595
Word #: 1 of 24
i
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
הַזֶּ֔ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 6 of 24
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
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
אָֽנֹכִ֖י H595
אָֽנֹכִ֖י
Strong's: H595
Word #: 8 of 24
i
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)
אֵלַ֜י H413
אֵלַ֜י
Strong's: H413
Word #: 12 of 24
near, with or among; often in general, to
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
בְחֵיקֶ֗ךָ them in thy bosom H2436
בְחֵיקֶ֗ךָ them in thy bosom
Strong's: H2436
Word #: 14 of 24
the bosom (literally or figuratively)
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)
הַיֹּנֵ֔ק the sucking child H3243
הַיֹּנֵ֔ק the sucking child
Strong's: H3243
Word #: 19 of 24
to suck; causatively, to give milk
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
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה unto the land H127
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה unto the land
Strong's: H127
Word #: 21 of 24
soil (from its general redness)
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
נִשְׁבַּ֖עְתָּ which thou swarest H7650
נִשְׁבַּ֖עְתָּ which thou swarest
Strong's: H7650
Word #: 23 of 24
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
לַֽאֲבֹתָֽיו׃ unto their fathers H1
לַֽאֲבֹתָֽיו׃ unto their fathers
Strong's: H1
Word #: 24 of 24
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

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).

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