“Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?”
'Did I conceive all this people? Did I give birth to them, that you should say to me, "Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a sucking child, to the land that you promised on oath to their ancestors?"' — Moses uses intimate metaphors (conception, birth, nursing) to express his rejection of paternal responsibility. He did not father these people; God did (through the exodus). Yet God places on Moses the burden of carrying them like an infant. The 'bosom' (chor, lit. 'breast') suggests physical intimacy and constant care. Moses' desperate question implies he is overwhelmed.
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a note on this verse
0/2000
No notes on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!