Numbers 14:39-45

Israel Repulsed

39 When Moses spoke 1these words to all the sons of Israel, 2the people mourned greatly.
40 In the morning, however, they rose up early and went up to the ridge of the hill country, saying, "3Here we are; we have indeed sinned, but we will go up to the place which the LORD has promised."
41 But Moses said, "4Why then are you transgressing the commandment of the LORD, when it will not succeed?
42 "5Do 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 6the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses left the camp.
45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down, and struck them and beat them down as far as 7Hormah.

Numbers 14:39-45 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 14

This chapter treats or the murmurings of the children of Israel upon the evil report of the spies, which greatly distressed Moses and Aaron, Nu 14:1-5; and of the endeavours of Joshua and Caleb to quiet the minds of the people with a good account of the land, and of the easy conquest of it, but to no purpose, Nu 14:6-10; and of the Lord's threatening to destroy the people with the pestilence, Nu 14:11,12; and of the intercession of Moses for them, which so far succeeded as to prevent their immediate destruction, Nu 14:13-20; nevertheless they are assured again and again, in the strongest terms, that none of them but Joshua and Caleb should enter into the land, but their carcasses should fall in the wilderness, even all the murmurers of twenty years old and upwards, Nu 14:21-35; and the ten men that brought the evil report of the good land died of a plague immediately, but the other two lived, Nu 14:36-38; and the body of the people that attempted to go up the mountain and enter the land were smitten and discomfited by their enemies, after they had with concern heard what the Lord threatened them with, Nu 14:39-45.

Cross References 7

Footnotes 4

  • [a]. Or "top of the mountain"
  • [b]. Or "and we will go up...for we have sinned"
  • [c]. Lit "mouth"
  • [d]. Or "top of the mountain"
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