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Numbers 14:3 - Fear overrides faith's promise?

Numbers 14:3 - במדבר 14:3

Hebrew Text

וְלָמָה יְהוָה מֵבִיא אֹתָנוּ אֶל־הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת לִנְפֹּל בַּחֶרֶב נָשֵׁינוּ וְטַפֵּנוּ יִהְיוּ לָבַז הֲלוֹא טוֹב לָנוּ שׁוּב מִצְרָיְמָה׃

English Translation

And why has the Lord brought us to this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return to Miżrayim?

Transliteration

Velama Adonai mevi otanu el-ha'aretz hazot linpol bachev nashaynu v'tapeinu yihyu lavaz halo tov lanu shuv Mitzrayimah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְלָמָ֣ה יְ֠הֹוָ֠ה מֵבִ֨יא אֹתָ֜נוּ אֶל־הָאָ֤רֶץ הַזֹּאת֙ לִנְפֹּ֣ל בַּחֶ֔רֶב נָשֵׁ֥ינוּ וְטַפֵּ֖נוּ יִהְי֣וּ לָבַ֑ז הֲל֧וֹא ט֦וֹב לָ֖נוּ שׁ֥וּב מִצְרָֽיְמָה׃
וְלָמָ֣ה יְ֠הֹוָ֠ה מֵבִ֨יא אֹתָ֜נוּ אֶל־הָאָ֤רֶץ הַזֹּאת֙ לִנְפֹּ֣ל בַּחֶ֔רֶב נָשֵׁ֥ינוּ וְטַפֵּ֖נוּ יִהְי֣וּ לָבַ֑ז הֲל֧וֹא ט֦וֹב לָ֖נוּ שׁ֥וּב מִצְרָֽיְמָה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse appears in Bamidbar (Numbers) 14:3, where the Israelites, upon hearing the discouraging report of the spies, express fear and despair about entering Eretz Yisrael. They question Hashem's plan, fearing destruction at the hands of the Canaanites and preferring to return to Egypt.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi comments that the phrase "לִנְפֹּל בַּחֶרֶב" ("to fall by the sword") reflects their exaggerated fear—they assumed they would die in battle, despite Hashem's promise to give them the land. Rashi also notes that their desire to return to Egypt was irrational, as they had already witnessed Hashem's miracles in their redemption.

Rambam on Human Nature and Fear

Rambam (Maimonides), in Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed), discusses how fear can distort judgment. The Israelites' reaction demonstrates how even after witnessing miracles, human beings can succumb to panic and forget divine providence.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash Tanchuma (Shelach 7) highlights the ingratitude in their words: rather than trusting Hashem after the Exodus, they preferred slavery over the challenges of conquering the land. The Midrash compares this to a prince who, after being rescued from a pit, refuses to enter his father's palace out of fear.

Spiritual Consequences

  • The Talmud (Sotah 35a) states that this complaint was one of the sins that led to the decree of wandering for 40 years.
  • Rabbeinu Bachya explains that their lack of faith in Hashem's promise was a rejection of their covenantal mission.

Lesson in Emunah (Faith)

This verse serves as a warning against allowing fear to override trust in Hashem. The Chofetz Chaim teaches that challenges are tests of faith, and the proper response is to seek strength through Torah and tefillah rather than despair.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the context of Numbers 14:3?
A: This verse is spoken by the Israelites after hearing the negative report from the spies about the Land of Israel. Fearing the inhabitants of the land, they express a desire to return to Egypt rather than face potential danger (Rashi on Numbers 14:1-3).
Q: Why did the Israelites want to return to Egypt?
A: The Israelites were overcome with fear after hearing about the strong nations in Canaan. Despite witnessing God's miracles in Egypt and the wilderness, they lacked faith that God could help them conquer the land (Ramban on Numbers 14:3).
Q: What was wrong with wanting to return to Egypt?
A: This showed a complete lack of trust in God who had promised them the land. The Midrash (Tanchuma Shelach 7) compares this to a prince who, after being freed from prison, asks to return there rather than go to his father's palace.
Q: How does this verse relate to faith in God?
A: This incident teaches that even after witnessing miracles, people can still struggle with faith when facing new challenges. The Talmud (Sotah 35a) explains this was one of the ten times the Israelites tested God in the wilderness.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Numbers 14:3 today?
A: The verse teaches us about the danger of letting fear override our trust in God. When facing difficulties, we should remember God's past kindnesses and have faith in His promises (based on Rambam's Hilchot De'ot 2:3 about proper trust in God).