Numbers 14:18

18 'Yahweh [is] {slow to anger} and great of loyal love, {forgiving} sin and rebellion; but surely he leaves nothing unpunished, visiting the sin of the fathers on the sons to the third and fourth generations.'

Numbers 14:18 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 14:18

The Lord [is] longsuffering
Towards all men, and especially towards his own people:

and of great mercy,
being abundant in goodness, and keeping mercy for thousands:

forgiving iniquity and transgression,
all sorts of sin:

and by no means clearing [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the
fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation];
which may seem to make against the plea of Moses for mercy and forgiveness; but the reason of these words being expressed seems to be, because they go along with the others in the passage referred to, and are no contradiction to the forgiving mercy of God in a way of justice; nor did Moses request to have the guilty cleared from punishment altogether, but that God would show mercy, at least to such a degree as not to cut off the whole nation, and leave no posterity to inherit the land; which is supposed in visiting the sin of the fathers to the third or fourth generation.

Numbers 14:18 In-Context

16 'Yahweh was unable to bring this people in the land that he swore by an oath, and he slaughtered them in the desert.'

17 But now, please, let the power of my Lord be great, just has you spoke,

18 'Yahweh [is] {slow to anger} and great of loyal love, {forgiving} sin and rebellion; but surely he leaves nothing unpunished, visiting the sin of the fathers on the sons to the third and fourth generations.'

19 Please forgive the sin of this people according to the greatness of your loyal love, just as you {forgave} this people, from Egypt until now."

20 Yahweh said, "I have forgiven [them] according to your word;

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "slow of noses"
• [b]. Literally "lifting up"