But Moses said to the LORD, “Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for you brought up this people in your might from among them,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Moses doesn't just argue for the Israelites' survival; he appeals to God's reputation. If God destroys the people He so powerfully rescued from Egypt, the Egyptians and other nations will say God couldn't finish what He started, not that He wouldn't.
But Moses said to the LORD, “Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for you brought up this people in your might from among them,
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the Israelites' fearful spies reported that the land of Canaan was unconquerable, the people panicked and threatened to stone their faithful scouts, Caleb and Joshua. God's glory appeared, and He declared His intention to destroy them and start over with Moses. Moses, however, immediately interceded, arguing that such a destruction would disgrace God's name among the Egyptians, who knew of His mighty power used to deliver Israel.
When God's people mess up, it's not just their reputation on the line. Moses reminds God that the whole world is watching, and God's own name is at stake.
Moses steps into the gap when God is ready to strike down Israel. He doesn't argue for Israel's innocence, but he powerfully argues for God’s reputation.
The World's Witness
Moses points out that the Egyptians and other nations know about God's incredible power. They saw Him deliver Israel from slavery with mighty acts. If God now destroys them in the wilderness, what will the nations think?
Blasphemy Alert!
They’ll say, 'God wasn't strong enough to finish the job. He brought them out but couldn't bring them in.' This would be a massive blow to God's honor and make Him look weak and unreliable. Moses pleads, 'Don't let that happen!'
God is ready to unleash judgment, but Moses throws himself in the way. Discover how he uses God's own nature and past actions to plead for mercy.
Moses isn't just begging; he's strategically appealing to God's character and promises.
Reminding God of His Word
Moses reminds God of His declared nature: 'long-suffering, and of great mercy' (Numbers 14:18). He also points to God's track record of forgiveness, 'as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now' (Numbers 14:19).
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Shielding God's Glory
His primary argument, as we saw, is protecting God's glory. He shows God that showing mercy to Israel, despite their sin, is actually the way to magnify His own greatness and faithfulness, not diminish it.
Moses' argument highlights the critical importance of God's reputation among the nations. The miraculous Exodus was a public display of divine power, and their subsequent destruction would have been interpreted by Egyptians and Canaanites as God's weakness, undermining His testimony.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through Moses, demonstrating His mighty power to all of Egypt and the surrounding nations.
c. 1446 BC
The Spies Explore Canaan
Moses sent twelve spies to explore the land of Canaan, which God had promised to the Israelites.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Spies Report Back to Israel
Ten of the spies returned with a frightening report, emphasizing the strength of the inhabitants and instilling fear in the Israelites, leading them to rebel against God and Moses.
c. 1446 BC
God's Judgment Declared
In response to their rebellion and lack of faith, God declared that the Israelites would wander in the wilderness for 40 years, and the generation that came out of Egypt would not enter the Promised Land.
c. 1446 BC
Moses Intercedes for Israel
Moses pleaded with God not to destroy the Israelites, arguing that their destruction would bring reproach upon God's name among the Egyptians and Canaanites.
c. 1446 BC
God Relents from Total Destruction
God heard Moses' prayer and pardoned the people, but the judgment of 40 years of wandering in the wilderness for that generation stood.
This passage shows Moses interceding for Israel after they made the golden calf, arguing similarly that God's reputation among the Egyptians would be jeopardized if He destroyed them.
Deuteronomy 32:26-27Moses reflects on the potential for foreign nations, specifically the Egyptians, to mock God's power if He were to completely destroy Israel after bringing them out of Egypt.
Joshua 7:8-9After Israel's defeat at Ai, Joshua appeals to God, referencing how the Canaanites would hear of it and question God's power and faithfulness, similar to Moses' concern here.
Ezekiel 36:20-23The prophet Ezekiel addresses God's actions regarding Israel's exile, stating that God scattered them among the nations for His own name's sake, so that His holiness might be displayed when He restores them, echoing the concern for God's reputation raised by Moses.
Psalm 106:7-8This psalm recounts Israel's rebellion at the Red Sea and their subsequent murmuring, noting that God saved them for His name's sake, to make known His mighty power, aligning with Moses' argument that God's past mighty acts should influence His present decision.
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…
ellicottNumbers 14:13: "And Moses said unto the LORD, Then the Egyptians shall hear it, (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;)"
(13, 14) And Moses said unto the Lord . . . — There is considerable difficulty as to the correct rendering of these verses. They may be rendered in accordance with the Authorised Version, or they may be rendered as follows:— And Moses said unto the LORD, The Egyptians have both heard that thou hast brought up this people from among them by thy might…
Moses doesn't just argue for the Israelites' survival; he appeals to God's reputation. If God destroys the people He so powerfully rescued from Egypt, the Egyptians and other nations will say God couldn't finish what He started, not that He wouldn't.
After the Israelites' fearful spies reported that the land of Canaan was unconquerable, the people panicked and threatened to stone their faithful scouts, Caleb and Joshua. God's glory appeared, and He declared His intention to destroy them and start over with Moses. Moses, however, immediately interceded, arguing that such a destruction would disgrace God's name among the Egyptians, who knew of His mighty power used to deliver Israel.
After the Israelites' fearful spies reported that the land of Canaan was unconquerable, the people panicked and threatened to stone their faithful scouts, Caleb and Joshua. God's glory appeared, and He declared His intention to destroy them and start over with Moses. Moses, however, immediately interceded, arguing that such a destruction would disgrace God's name among the Egyptians, who knew of His mighty power used to deliver Israel.
"But Moses said to the LORD, “Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for you brought up this people in your might from among them," — Moses doesn't just argue for the Israelites' survival; he appeals to God's reputation. If God destroys the people He so powerfully rescued from Egypt, the Egyptians and other nations will say God *co…
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Last reviewed October 2026