Numbers 11:14

11:14 I am not able to bear this entire people alone, ¹  because it ²  is too heavy for me!

Numbers 22:6

22:6 So ³  now, please come and curse this nation ⁴  for me, for they are too powerful for me. Perhaps I will prevail so that we may conquer them ⁵  and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, ⁶  and whoever you curse is cursed.”

[11:14]  ¹ tn The word order shows the emphasis: “I am not able, I by myself, to bear all this people.” The infinitive לָשֵׂאת (lase’t) serves as the direct object of the verb. The expression is figurative, for bearing or carrying the people means being responsible for all their needs and cares.

[11:14]  ² tn The subject of the verb “heavy” is unstated; in the context it probably refers to the people, or the burden of caring for the people. This responsibility was turning out to be a heavier responsibility than Moses anticipated. Alone he was totally inadequate.

[22:6]  ³ tn The two lines before this verse begin with the particle הִנֵּה (hinneh), and so they lay the foundation for these imperatives. In view of those circumstances, this is what should happen.

[22:6]  ⁴ tn Heb “people.” So also in vv. 10, 17, 41.

[22:6]  ⁵ tn The construction uses the imperfect tense אוּכַל (’ukhal, “I will be able”) followed by the imperfect tense נַכֶּה (nakkeh, “we will smite/attack/defeat”). The second verb is clearly the purpose or the result of the first, even though there is no conjunction or particle.

[22:6]  ⁶ tn The verb is the Piel imperfect of בָּרַךְ (barakh), with the nuance of possibility: “whomever you may bless.” The Pual participle מְבֹרָךְ (mÿvorakh) serves as the predicate.