I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
Parallel translations
- WEB 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 18:18Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
- Deut 1:9–12And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:
- Zech 6:13Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
- 2 Cor 2:16To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
- Isa 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
- Ps 89:19Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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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.