John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces , etc.] Through shame and confusion of face for them, at hearing so shocking a proposal made, and such wretched ingratitude expressed; they blushed at it, and were in the utmost distress on account of it, and therefore threw themselves into this posture; or it may be this was done either to beg of them that they would lay aside all thoughts of this kind, or to supplicate the divine Majesty that he would convince them of their sin and folly, and give them repentance for it and forgiveness of it; and this they did before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel ; to affect them the more with a sense of their sin and danger.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 5-10 - Moses and Aaron were astonished to see a people throw away their ow mercies. Caleb and Joshua assured the people of the goodness of the land. They made nothing of the difficulties in the way of their gainin it. If men were convinced of the desirableness of the gains of religion, they would not stick at the services of it. Though the Canaanites dwell in walled cities, their defence was departed from them. The other spies took notice of their strength, but these of their wickedness. No people can be safe, when they have provoked God to leav them. Though Israel dwell in tents, they are fortified. While we have the presence of God with us, we need not fear the most powerful forc against us. Sinners are ruined by their own rebellion. But those who like Caleb and Joshua, faithfully expose themselves for God, are sure to be taken under his special protection, and shall be hid from the rage of men, either under heaven or in heaven. (Nu 14:11-19)
Original Hebrew ויפל5307 משׁה4872 ואהרן175 על5921 פניהם6440 לפני6440 כל3605 קהל6951 עדת5712 בני1121 ישׂראל׃3478
