And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?
English Standard Version (ESV)
God's question isn't just about when they'll believe, but carries a deep exasperation. The wording implies their persistent lack of trust is a direct insult, a repeated "despising" of Him, despite all the overwhelming evidence of His power and faithfulness they've already witnessed.
And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites have just been terrified by the spies' negative report about the land of Canaan, leading them to rebel against God and Moses, even wanting to stone Joshua and Caleb. In response, God’s glory appears, and He expresses His immense frustration to Moses over their persistent lack of faith and disrespect, despite all the miracles He’s performed for them. This sets the stage for Moses's intercession and God's subsequent judgment on the rebellious generation.
Imagine seeing countless miracles, yet still doubting the One who performed them. What does that kind of disbelief do to God?
The Lord's question, 'How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me...?' reveals the profound hurt caused by their persistent unbelief. It wasn't just a lack of faith; it was an act of despising God Himself.
God is often described as slow to anger. But even His incredible patience has a limit. What does this verse tell us about His endurance?
The repeated question, 'How long...?', underscores God's incredible, yet tested, patience. He had endured their grumbling, their complaints, and their outright rebellion for a long time, even after performing numerous miracles for them.
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Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the one true God of Israel, revealed to Moses as 'I AM WHO I AM'. It signifies His covenant faithfulness, self-existence, and holiness.
na'ats · Hebrew Verb
To treat with contempt or lack of reverence; to reject the value, authority, or holiness of someone or something, specifically God's character and works.
aman · Hebrew Verb
To trust, rely upon, or have confidence in; in a biblical sense, it signifies an active, committed faith rather than mere intellectual assent.
oth · Hebrew Noun
A miraculous act or event intended to serve as a witness or proof of God’s power, presence, and divine authority.
This verse captures God's profound disappointment and anger at His people's persistent disbelief, even after witnessing His mighty acts. It highlights the gravity of their rebellion, which occurred shortly after the miraculous Exodus and their arrival at the borders of the Promised Land.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, demonstrating His power through ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.
c. 1446 BC
Wilderness Journey Begins
Following their deliverance, the Israelites begin their journey through the wilderness towards the Promised Land, sustained by God's provision.
c. 1445 BC
Spies Sent to Canaan
Moses sends twelve spies into the land of Canaan to explore it. Ten return with a fearful report, emphasizing the strength of the inhabitants and the impossibility of conquest.
c. 1445 BC— this verse
Israelites Rebel Against God
Following the negative report of the spies, the Israelites riot and threaten to stone Moses and Aaron, refusing to trust God's promise to give them the land.
c. 1445 BC
God Decrees Wilderness Wandering
In response to their rebellion and lack of faith, God decrees that the entire generation that came out of Egypt will not enter the Promised Land, but wander in the wilderness for 40 years.
This passage shows a similar moment of divine anger towards Israel's unfaithfulness (the golden calf incident) and Moses interceding on their behalf, mirroring the dynamic in Numbers 14.
Deuteronomy 1:32-35Moses recounts this very event years later, emphasizing God's sorrow and the consequence of their disbelief – not entering the promised land due to their failure to trust Him.
Psalm 106:7-13This psalm reflects on Israel's repeated rebellions and disbelief, specifically mentioning their contempt for God's promises and His signs, leading to His anger and their subsequent wandering.
Hebrews 3:7-19The New Testament author directly applies the lesson from this Numbers passage, warning believers not to harden their hearts in unbelief as the Israelites did in the wilderness, lest they also fail to enter God's rest.
John 6:36Jesus speaks about the consequence of disbelief, stating that those who do not believe in Him will not be with Him. This echoes the consequence for the Israelites who, due to disbelief, did not enter the land.
gillNumbers 14:11: "And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?"
And the Lord said unto Moses,.... Out of the cloud upon the tabernacle: how long will this people provoke me? which suggests that they had often provoked him, and had done it long ago, and still continued to do so; and he had long bore their provocations; but it was not reasonable, nor could it be expected by Moses or…
calvinNumbers 14:10-38: "But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel."
But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.
Tunc dixit tota multitudo, ut eos lapidibus obruerent: et gloria Jehovae apparuit in tabernaculo conventionis omnibus filiis Israel.
And the…
God's question isn't just about when they'll believe, but carries a deep exasperation. The wording implies their persistent lack of trust is a direct insult, a repeated "despising" of Him, despite all the overwhelming evidence of His power and faithfulness they've already witnessed.
The Israelites have just been terrified by the spies' negative report about the land of Canaan, leading them to rebel against God and Moses, even wanting to stone Joshua and Caleb. In response, God’s glory appears, and He expresses His immense frustration to Moses over their persistent lack of faith and disrespect, despite all the miracles He’s performed for them. This sets the stage for Moses's intercession and God's subsequent judgment on the rebellious generation.
The Israelites have just been terrified by the spies' negative report about the land of Canaan, leading them to rebel against God and Moses, even wanting to stone Joshua and Caleb. In response, God’s glory appears, and He expresses His immense frustration to Moses over their persistent lack of faith and disrespect, despite all the miracles He’s performed for them. This sets the stage for Moses's intercession and God's subsequent judgment on the rebellious generation.
"And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?" — God's question isn't just about when they'll believe, but carries a deep exasperation. The wording implies their persistent lack of trust is a direct insult, a repeated "despising" of Him, despite…
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Last reviewed October 2026