Numbers 16:4

16:4 When Moses heard it he fell down with his face to the ground.

Numbers 16:45

16:45 “Get away from this community, so that I can consume them in an instant!” But they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground.

Numbers 14:5

14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell down with their faces to the ground before the whole assembled community of the Israelites.


tn Heb “fell on his face.”

tn Heb “they fell on their faces.”

sn This action of Moses and Aaron is typical of them in the wilderness with the Israelites. The act shows self-abasement and deference before the sovereign Lord. They are not bowing before the people here, but in front of the people they bow before God. According to Num 17:6-15 this prostration is for the purpose of intercessory prayer. Here it prevents immediate wrath from God.

tn Heb “before all the assembly of the congregation.”