Numbers 11:12 Meaning and Explanation
“Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moses protests that he did not create this people and cannot care for them as God expects.
The Context of Numbers 11:12
Moses contends that the people are God's responsibility, not his alone.
What Does Numbers 11:12 Mean?
Moses uses the metaphor of a nursing father caring for a nursing child—a picture of tenderness and constant attention. He argues that he did not conceive or beget this people, so he cannot provide the kind of nurturing care God is demanding of him.
Moses points out the absurdity: God brought them into being and chose to lead them to the promised land, yet now God places the burden of their care entirely on Moses. His complaint reveals the gap between the responsibility assigned and the ability to fulfill it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 11:12
What does Numbers 11:12 mean?
Moses protests that he did not create this people and cannot care for them as God expects.
What is the context of Numbers 11:12?
Moses contends that the people are God's responsibility, not his alone.