Numbers 14:20-23

God Promises Judgment

20 Then the LORD said, "I have pardoned, 1according to your word.
21 But truly, as I live, and as all 2the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD,
22 3none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these 4ten times and have not obeyed my voice,
23 5shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it.

Numbers 14:20-23 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 5

  • 1. Psalms 106:23; [James 5:16]; See 1 John 5:14-16
  • 2. Psalms 72:19; Habakkuk 2:14
  • 3. Deuteronomy 1:35; Psalms 95:11; Psalms 106:26; Hebrews 3:17, 18
  • 4. [Genesis 31:7; Job 19:3]
  • 5. Numbers 32:11; Ezekiel 20:15; [Numbers 26:64]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.