Numbers 14:5

Authorized King James Version

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Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּפֹּ֥ל fell H5307
וַיִּפֹּ֥ל fell
Strong's: H5307
Word #: 1 of 11
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
מֹשֶׁ֛ה Then Moses H4872
מֹשֶׁ֛ה Then Moses
Strong's: H4872
Word #: 2 of 11
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
וְאַֽהֲרֹ֖ן and Aaron H175
וְאַֽהֲרֹ֖ן and Aaron
Strong's: H175
Word #: 3 of 11
aharon, the brother of moses
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 4 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לִפְנֵ֕י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֕י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 5 of 11
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לִפְנֵ֕י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֕י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 6 of 11
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 7 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
קְהַ֥ל all the assembly H6951
קְהַ֥ל all the assembly
Strong's: H6951
Word #: 8 of 11
assemblage (usually concretely)
עֲדַ֖ת of the congregation H5712
עֲדַ֖ת of the congregation
Strong's: H5712
Word #: 9 of 11
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
בְּנֵ֥י of the children H1121
בְּנֵ֥י of the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 10 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 11 of 11
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Cross References

Numbers 16:4And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:Numbers 16:22And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?Numbers 16:45Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.1 Chronicles 21:16And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.Genesis 17:3And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,Ezekiel 9:8And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?Joshua 5:14And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?Leviticus 9:24And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.Revelation 5:14And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.Revelation 4:10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

Analysis & Commentary

Moses and Aaron 'fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation.' This posture of intercession and humility demonstrated true spiritual leadership - not defending their authority but pleading with God and people. The Hebrew 'naphal al panim' (fell on faces) indicates prostrate worship and desperate prayer. Their response to rebellion was prayer, not retaliation. This foreshadows Christ who interceded for His enemies (Luke 23:34). True leaders respond to opposition with intercession, not vengeance. Their physical position - faces to ground - expressed spiritual reality: complete dependence on God when human resources fail.

Historical Context

This occurred after the congregation agreed to choose new leadership and return to Egypt (v.4). Rather than asserting authority, Moses and Aaron prostrated themselves, demonstrating their mediatorial role. This public intercession before the entire assembly showed they served God and Israel, not personal ambition. The posture appears repeatedly in Numbers during crises (14:5, 16:4, 22, 45), showing Moses' consistent response to rebellion was prayer. Similarly, Christ repeatedly withdrew for prayer during ministry challenges (Luke 5:16, 6:12). The pattern teaches that spiritual leadership's power comes through prayer, not position.

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