Charles Ellicott Commentary Numbers 16:14

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Numbers 16:14

1819–1905
Anglican
Charles Ellicott
Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Numbers 16:14

1819–1905
Anglican
SCRIPTURE

"Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up." — Numbers 16:14 (ASV)

Moreover you have not brought us ... — The words which the Lord had spoken to Moses (Exodus 3:8) concerning the deliverance from Egypt, and the bringing of the people into a land flowing with milk and honey, had been communicated by Aaron to the people (Exodus 4:30). Dathan and Abiram reproach Moses, as though he was responsible for their protracted sojourn in the wilderness.

Will you put out the eyes of these men?— Hebrew, those men. The same expression is employed in its literal signification in regard to Samson (Judges 16:21). It is probably used here in the same manner; or, it may be, to denote an alleged attempt on the part of Moses to blind the eyes of the people to the violation of promises solemnly made to them, and to impose upon them a law of blind obedience to his own arbitrary injunctions.