Deuteronomy 1:42

42 ait mihi Dominus dic ad eos nolite ascendere neque pugnetis non enim sum vobiscum ne cadatis coram inimicis vestris

Deuteronomy 1:42 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:42

And the Lord said unto me
When the people had armed themselves, and were in motion, or ready to set forward to ascend the hill:

say unto them, go not up, neither fight;
neither go up the hill, and if they did, contrary to this order, and should meet with enemies, not fight them, but retreat:

for I am not among you:
the ark of the covenant, the symbol of his presence, was then among them, but it did not go with them, it continued in the camp, ( Numbers 14:44 ) nor did the Lord exert his power, or show himself present with them, or to be on their side, but left them to themselves, and to their enemies:

lest ye be smitten before your enemies;
God not being with them to fight for them, protect and defend them, and give them victory.

Deuteronomy 1:42 In-Context

40 vos autem revertimini et abite in solitudinem per viam maris Rubri

41 et respondistis mihi peccavimus Domino ascendemus atque pugnabimus sicut praecepit Dominus Deus noster cumque instructi armis pergeretis in montem

42 ait mihi Dominus dic ad eos nolite ascendere neque pugnetis non enim sum vobiscum ne cadatis coram inimicis vestris

43 locutus sum et non audistis sed adversantes imperio Domini et tumentes superbia ascendistis in montem

44 itaque egressus Amorreus qui habitabat in montibus et obviam veniens persecutus est vos sicut solent apes persequi et cecidit de Seir usque Horma