I cannot carry all these people by myself; it is too burdensome for me.
Parallel translations
- WEB I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
- KJV I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
- NKJV I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me.
- NASB I am not able to carry all this people by myself, because it is too burdensome for me.
- NLT I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Moses confesses he cannot carry the people alone—it is too heavy. Honest admission of limits prepares the way for God's help.
Overview
Moses plainly states his inability to bear the burden by himself. This humble confession is the turning point that leads God to provide shared leadership. It models the dependence God honors, as human weakness becomes the occasion for divine provision (2 Cor. 12:9).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Exod 18:18Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone.
- Deut 1:9–12At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone.
- Zech 6:13Yes, He will build the temple of the LORD; He will be clothed in splendor and will sit on His throne and rule. And He will be a priest on His throne, and there will be peaceful counsel between the two.’
- 2 Cor 2:16To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?
- Isa 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Ps 89:19You once spoke in a vision; to Your godly ones You said, “I have bestowed help on a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
In the wilderness Christ is the water from the rock, the bronze serpent lifted up that the dying might look and live (John 3:14), and the star and scepter that Balaam saw rising out of Jacob.
How Numbers 11:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.