Numbers 14:18-28

18 The LORD is slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and disobedience; and that will by no means clear [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation.

19 Pardon, Please, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your lovingkindness, and according as you have forgiven this people, from Mitzrayim even until now.

20 The LORD said, I have pardoned according to your word:

21 but in very deed, as I live, and as all the eretz shall be filled with the glory of the LORD;

22 because all those men who have seen my glory, and my signs, which I worked in Mitzrayim and in the wilderness, yet have tempted me these ten times, and have not listened to my voice;

23 surely they shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers, neither shall any of those who despised me see it:

24 but my servant Kalev, because he had another spirit with him, and has followed me fully, him will I bring into the land into which he went; and his seed shall possess it.

25 Now the `Amaleki and the Kana`ani dwell in the valley: tomorrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way to the Sea of Suf.

26 The LORD spoke to Moshe and to Aharon, saying,

27 How long [shall I bear] with this evil congregation, that murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Yisra'el, which they murmur against me.

28 Tell them, As I live, says the LORD, surely as you have spoken in my ears, so will I do to you:

Numbers 14:18-28 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.