A captain, instead of Moses, one who will be more faithful to our interest than he. This was but a purpose or desire, and yet it is imputed to them as if they had done it, Nehemiah 9:16,17, they appointed a captain, &c., even as Abraham's purpose to offer up Isaac is reckoned for the deed, Hebrews 11:17. Let us return into Egypt. Stupendous madness! Whence should they have protection against the many hazards, and provision against all the wants of the wilderness? Could they expect either God's cloud to cover and guide them, or manna from Heaven to lead them? Who should conduct them over the Red Sea? or, if they went another way, who should defend them against those nations whose borders they were to pass? What entertainment could they expect if the Egyptians, whom they had deserted and brought to so much ruin?
Related Commentaries of Numbers 14:4
Numbers 14:4
4 And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.