I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
Parallel translations
- KJV I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
- BSB I cannot carry all these people by myself; it is too burdensome 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 18:18You will surely wear away, both you, and this people that is with you; for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to perform it yourself alone.
- Deut 1:9–12I spoke to you at that time, saying, “I am not able to bear you myself alone.
- Zech 6:13even he shall build Yahweh’s temple; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on his throne; and he shall be a priest on his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
- 2 Cor 2:16to the one a stench from death to death; to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
- Isa 9:6For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Ps 89:19Then you spoke in vision to your saints, and said, “I have given strength to the warrior. I have exalted a young man 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.