Numbers 14:42

42 "¹Do not go up, or you will be struck down before your enemies, for the LORD is not among you.

Numbers 14:42 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 14:42

Go not up, for the Lord [is] not among you
And therefore could not expect success, for victory is of the Lord; the Targum of Jonathan adds,

``the ark, and the tabernacle, and the cloud of glory move not,''

which were a plain indication that the Lord would not go with them, and therefore could not hope to prevail over their enemies and enter the land, but on the contrary might expect to be defeated by them, as follows:

that ye be not smitten before your enemies;
of which they would be in great danger should they attempt to go up the hill, and the Lord not with them.

Numbers 14:42 In-Context

40 In the morning, however, they rose up early and went up to the ridge of the hill country, saying, "Here we are; we have indeed sinned, but we will go up to the place which the LORD has promised."

41 But Moses said, "Why then are you transgressing the commandment of the LORD , when it will not succeed?

42 "Do not go up, or you will be struck down before your enemies, for the LORD is not among you.

43 "For the Amalekites and the Canaanites will be there in front of you, and you will fall by the sword, inasmuch as you have turned back from following the LORD . And the LORD will not be with you."

44 But they went up heedlessly to the ridge of the hill country; neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses left the camp.

Cross References

• 1. Deuteronomy 1:42