Numbers 14:9 (LSB)

Passage

But as for you, only do not rebel against Yahweh; and do not fear the people of the land, for they are our bread. Their protection has been removed from them, and Yahweh is with us; do not fear them.”

Nearby Context

Numbers 14:7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land.

Numbers 14:8 If Yahweh is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us—a land which flows with milk and honey.

Numbers 14:9 But as for you, only do not rebel against Yahweh; and do not fear the people of the land, for they are our bread. Their protection has been removed from them, and Yahweh is with us; do not fear them.”

Numbers 14:10 But all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Then the glory of Yahweh appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel.

Numbers 14:11 Yahweh said to Moses, “How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have done in their midst?

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "only", "rebel", "against", "yahweh", "fear", "people", "land", and "bread". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "only" and "rebel", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 8's "If Yahweh is pleased with us then..." into verse 10's "But all the congregation said to stone...", so "only" and "rebel" belong inside that flow. In Numbers context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "only" and "rebel" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.