Numbers 14:17
New International Version
“Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared:

New Living Translation
“Please, Lord, prove that your power is as great as you have claimed. For you said,

English Standard Version
And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying,

Berean Standard Bible
So now I pray, may the power of my Lord be magnified, just as You have declared:

King James Bible
And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying,

New King James Version
And now, I pray, let the power of my Lord be great, just as You have spoken, saying,

New American Standard Bible
So now, please, let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared, saying,

NASB 1995
“But now, I pray, let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared,

NASB 1977
“But now, I pray, let the power of the Lord be great, just as Thou hast declared,

Legacy Standard Bible
So now, I pray, let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared,

Amplified Bible
But now, please, let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared, saying,

Christian Standard Bible
“So now, may my Lord’s power be magnified just as you have spoken:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So now, may my Lord’s power be magnified just as You have spoken:

American Standard Version
And now, I pray thee, let the power of the Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying,

Contemporary English Version
Show us your great power, LORD. You promised

English Revised Version
And now, I pray thee, let the power of the Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Lord, let your power be as great as when you said,

Good News Translation
So now, LORD, I pray, show us your power and do what you promised when you said,

International Standard Version
"Now, let the power of the LORD be magnified, just as you promised when you said,

NET Bible
So now, let the power of my Lord be great, just as you have said,

New Heart English Bible
Now please let the power of the Lord be great, according as you have spoken, saying,

Webster's Bible Translation
And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying,
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
So now I pray, may the power of my Lord be magnified, just as You have declared:

World English Bible
Now please let the power of the Lord be great, according as you have spoken, saying,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And now, please let the power of my Lord be great, as You have spoken, saying,

Young's Literal Translation
'And now, let, I pray Thee, the power of my Lord be great, as Thou hast spoken, saying:

Smith's Literal Translation
And now shall the strength of the Lord be great, as thou spakest, saying,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Let their the strength of the Lord be magnified, as thou hast sworn, saying:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, may the strength of the Lord be magnified, just as you swore, saying:

New American Bible
Now then, may my Lord’s forbearance be great, even as you have said,

New Revised Standard Version
And now, therefore, let the power of the LORD be great in the way that you promised when you spoke, saying,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And now, let thy power, O LORD, be great according as thou hast spoken, saying,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And now let your power be great LORD JEHOVAH, as you have spoken and you have said.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And now, I pray Thee, let the power of the Lord be great, according as Thou hast spoken, saying:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And now, O Lord, let thy strength be exalted, as thou spakest, saying,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses Intercedes for the People
16‘Because the LORD was unable to bring this people into the land He swore to give them, He has slaughtered them in the wilderness.’ 17So now I pray, may the power of my Lord be magnified, just as You have declared: 18‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children to the third and fourth generation.’…

Cross References
Exodus 34:6-7
Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

Psalm 86:15
But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness.

Nehemiah 9:17
They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them.

Joel 2:13
So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Jonah 4:2
So he prayed to the LORD, saying, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster.

Psalm 103:8
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.

Psalm 145:8
The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion.

Micah 7:18-19
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? / He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. / They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

2 Chronicles 30:9
For if you return to the LORD, your brothers and sons will receive mercy in the presence of their captors and will return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful; He will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.”

Ephesians 2:4-5
But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, / made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!

Romans 2:4
Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

James 5:11
See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.


Treasury of Scripture

And now, I beseech you, let the power of my LORD be great, according as you have spoken, saying,

Micah 3:8
But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.

Matthew 9:6,8
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house…

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Beseech Declared Displayed Power Prayer Promised Strength
Numbers 14
1. The people murmur at the news
6. Joshua and Caleb labor to still them
11. God threatens them
13. Moses intercedes with God, and obtains pardon
26. The Murmurers are debarred from entering into the land
36. The men who raised the evil report die by a plague
40. The people that would invade the land against the will of God are smitten














So now I pray
This phrase indicates a direct appeal to God, showcasing the importance of prayer in the life of a believer. Moses, as the intercessor for Israel, demonstrates the role of a mediator, which is a type of Christ who intercedes on behalf of humanity (Hebrews 7:25). The urgency in "now" reflects the immediate need for divine intervention.

may the power of my Lord be magnified
Moses is asking for God's power to be displayed, not for personal gain, but for the glory of God. This reflects the biblical theme that God's strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). The term "Lord" here is a reference to Yahweh, emphasizing a personal relationship and covenant with God. The magnification of God's power is a recurring theme, seen in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the miracles in the wilderness.

just as You have declared
Moses reminds God of His own words, showing the importance of God's promises and faithfulness. This phrase underscores the reliability of God's word, as seen in Isaiah 55:11, where God's word does not return void. It also reflects the covenantal relationship where God’s declarations are binding and trustworthy. Moses is invoking God's past declarations of mercy and forgiveness, as seen earlier in Exodus 34:6-7, where God describes Himself as compassionate and gracious.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who intercedes on behalf of the people after they express doubt and fear about entering the Promised Land.

2. The Israelites
The people of God, who are journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land but are struggling with faith and obedience.

3. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

4. The Lord (Yahweh)
The God of Israel, who is characterized by His power, mercy, and faithfulness.

5. The Wilderness of Paran
The location where the Israelites are camped when they express their fear and rebellion against entering Canaan.
Teaching Points
The Power of Intercession
Moses' prayer demonstrates the importance and power of interceding for others. Believers are called to pray for one another, especially in times of doubt and fear.

God's Unchanging Character
Moses appeals to God's consistent nature. Understanding God's attributes helps believers trust Him in difficult circumstances.

Faith in God's Promises
The Israelites' fear contrasts with the faith required to enter the Promised Land. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's promises despite challenges.

Magnifying God's Power
Moses seeks to glorify God through his prayer. Believers should aim to magnify God's power and presence in their lives through their actions and prayers.

The Consequences of Unbelief
The Israelites' account serves as a warning about the consequences of unbelief. Believers are reminded to cultivate faith and obedience.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Numbers 14:17?

2. How does Numbers 14:17 demonstrate God's patience and mercy towards Israel?

3. In what ways can we apply God's "great power" in our daily lives?

4. How does Moses' plea in Numbers 14:17 connect to intercessory prayer today?

5. What scriptural examples show God's "great power" in other parts of the Bible?

6. How can understanding God's character in Numbers 14:17 strengthen our faith?

7. How does Numbers 14:17 reflect God's character and patience with Israel's rebellion?

8. What historical context surrounds the plea in Numbers 14:17?

9. How does Numbers 14:17 demonstrate Moses' role as an intercessor?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 14?

11. How does the Bible address resistance to change?

12. Does God change His mind? (Numbers 23:19 vs. Exodus 32:14)

13. How did Jehoshaphat's army manage to march forth singing and then gather the spoils without engaging in a standard military offensive (2 Chronicles 20:21-25)?

14. How does the portrayal of Aaron's role in Exodus 32 align with other biblical depictions of him, and does it reveal inconsistencies across different texts?
What Does Numbers 14:17 Mean
So now I pray,

Moses has just heard the LORD’s judgment on Israel’s unbelief (Numbers 14:11-16). He does not argue that the people deserve mercy; instead, he immediately turns to prayer.

• “So now” signals urgency—much like Exodus 32:11-13, when Moses interceded after the golden calf.

• Intercession flows from confidence that God hears His covenant people (James 5:16; 1 John 5:14).

• Moses approaches boldly yet humbly, illustrating Hebrews 4:16 long before it was written: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence.”

Prayer, then, is the first and best response whenever judgment is deserved but mercy is desired.


may the power of my Lord

The request centers on God’s “power”—not human ability. Scripture consistently portrays this power as:

• Creative (Genesis 1:3; Isaiah 40:26)

• Redemptive (Exodus 15:6; Jeremiah 32:17)

• Sustaining (Colossians 1:17)

Calling God “my Lord” personalizes the plea; Moses trusts the LORD he knows from the burning bush (Exodus 3:6). He believes divine power is sufficient to forgive and restore, just as later believers rely on “the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe” (Ephesians 1:19).


be magnified,

To magnify God’s power is to make it visible and admired among people, much like Psalm 34:3, “Magnify the LORD with me.”

• God’s power is already infinite; the prayer asks that it be displayed so unmistakably that Israel—and the watching nations (Numbers 14:13-14)—cannot miss it.

• Every act of mercy enhances God’s reputation, showing He is both mighty and gracious (Psalm 145:8-12).

• When believers today testify to answered prayer, they likewise “make His deeds known among the peoples” (Isaiah 12:4).


just as You have declared:

Moses anchors his request in God’s own words, echoing Exodus 34:6-7, where the LORD proclaimed Himself “abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity.”

• Appealing to God’s self-revelation is a model of faith: what God has spoken, He will do (Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 55:11).

• By quoting the LORD back to Himself, Moses highlights divine consistency—God’s character does not change (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17).

• This approach teaches us to pray Scripture, aligning our desires with God’s promises (John 15:7).


summary

Numbers 14:17 records Moses’ urgent, Scripture-saturated plea: he prays immediately, trusts the LORD’s limitless power, longs for that power to be publicly honored, and grounds every word in what God has already said about Himself. The verse invites believers to intercede with the same confidence—knowing that when we ask God to act according to His declared character, His magnified power brings mercy, maintains His reputation, and strengthens faith for all who witness it.

(17, 18) And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great.--The word Lord in Numbers 14:17 should not be printed in large capitals in this place, as in the Authorised Version of 1611, inasmuch as it is the rendering of Adonai, not of Jehovah, as in Numbers 14:18. Moses here employs a second argument, founded on the revelation of God's name (i.e., His nature), as made to him on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:6-7), the substance of which he here recites in the same terms.

Verse 17. - And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great. Here the argument of Moses rises to a higher level; he ventures to put God in mind of what he had himself declared to Moses in the fullest revelation which he had ever made of his own unchangeable character, viz., that of all Divine prerogatives, the most Divine was that of forgiving sins and showing mercy. According as thou hast spoken. See on Exodus 34:6, 7. The words are not quoted exactly as there given, but are substantially the same.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So now
וְעַתָּ֕ה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

I pray,
נָ֖א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

may the power
כֹּ֣חַ (kō·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3581: A small reptile (of unknown species)

of the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֑י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

be magnified,
יִגְדַּל־ (yiḡ·dal-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great

just as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

You have declared:
דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ (dib·bar·tā)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue


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OT Law: Numbers 14:17 Now please let the power (Nu Num.)
Numbers 14:16
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