Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,
Now if you kill all these people at once, then the nations who have heard about your reputation will say,
This verse begins Moses' argument to God that destroying Israel would damage God's reputation among other nations.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Numbers, the Israelites were on the edge of entering the Promised Land but had rebelled against God after hearing the spies' fearful report about its inhabitants. Moses interceded in prayer, pleading with God not to destroy the people outright, as it would lead other nations to question God's power and faithfulness. This context highlights the ancient Near Eastern concern for a deity's reputation among surrounding peoples, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
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