Numbers 16:14
Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.
Original Language Analysis
אַ֡ף
Moreover
H637
אַ֡ף
Moreover
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
1 of 19
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
זָבַ֨ת
that floweth
H2100
זָבַ֨ת
that floweth
Strong's:
H2100
Word #:
5 of 19
to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow
הֲבִ֣יאֹתָ֔נוּ
thou hast not brought
H935
הֲבִ֣יאֹתָ֔נוּ
thou hast not brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
8 of 19
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וַתִּ֨תֶּן
or given
H5414
וַתִּ֨תֶּן
or given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
9 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
נַֽחֲלַ֖ת
us inheritance
H5159
נַֽחֲלַ֖ת
us inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
הַֽעֵינֵ֞י
the eyes
H5869
הַֽעֵינֵ֞י
the eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
14 of 19
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֥ים
H376
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֥ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
15 of 19
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Historical Context
The phrase 'put out eyes' may allude to treatment of captured kings or slaves (Judges 16:21, 2 Kings 25:7). By using such violent imagery, they portrayed Moses as a tyrant when he had led with exceptional meekness (12:3). False accusation is a standard tool of rebellion.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you recognize projection when others accuse you of their own sins?
- What role does truth-telling play in exposing and resisting spiritual rebellion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Dathan and Abiram mockingly asked if Moses would 'put out the eyes of these men'—accusing him of blinding deception. This inverts reality: their rebellion demonstrated spiritual blindness while Moses consistently revealed God's will. Rebels often accuse others of the very faults they themselves possess, projecting their own deception onto faithful leaders.