Numbers 14:1-10

Numbers 14:1 (P). The People's Discouragement at the Report of the Spies. This section is also a fusion of JE and P: its composite character is suggested by the repetitions in Numbers 14:1. In Numbers 14:6 the minority report proceeds from Joshua and Caleb (not from Caleb only, as in Numbers 13:30, JE), and so is derived from P. But the protest in Numbers 14:7 f., though appearing to be made by both jointly, is really Caleb's, for like Numbers 13:30 it is directed against the argument (Numbers 13:28) that the Canaanites were too strong to be overcome.

9. are bread for us: i.e. can be consumed as easily as men consume bread (cf. Numbers 24:8; Deuteronomy 7:16; Psalms 14:4). their defence (literally, shadow): i.e. their gods (cf. Isaiah 25:4; Isaiah 30:2; Psalms 91:1).

Numbers 14:10. the glory of Yahweh: i.e. the fire that symbolized the Divine presence (Numbers 9:15 *, Exodus 24:17).