Numbers 14:27 Meaning and Explanation
“How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God reiterates His exasperation with the people's persistent complaining against Him.
The Context of Numbers 14:27
God expresses the extent of His patience with the murmuring congregation.
What Does Numbers 14:27 Mean?
God returns to the question He posed earlier: How long? His patience has limits. The congregation is 'evil'—not in any personal moral sense, but in their orientation against God's will. Their murmuring is not a momentary outburst but a pattern; they have murmured repeatedly, and God has heard it all.
The repetition—'murmurings...murmur'—emphasizes the constant nature of their complaint. It is not a one-time mistake but an orientation of the heart. God's forbearance is not endless, and the people's persistent resistance has crossed a threshold.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 14:27
What does Numbers 14:27 mean?
God reiterates His exasperation with the people's persistent complaining against Him.
What is the context of Numbers 14:27?
God expresses the extent of His patience with the murmuring congregation.