Numbers 32:23

23 But if ye do not that, that ye say, it is no doubt to any man, that not ye sin against God; and know ye, that your sin shall take (hold of) you. (But if ye do not do what ye say ye will, no one shall have any doubt, but that ye have sinned against God; and know ye, that your sin shall catch up with you.)

Numbers 32:23 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 32:23

But if ye will not do so
As they promised they would, and Moses insisted on it that they should:

behold, ye have sinned against the Lord
making such a request, and not fulfilling the conditions on which it was granted:

and be sure your sin will find you out;
fly in their faces, accuse them in their consciences, charge and load them with guilt, and bring deserved punishment upon them: sin may be put, as it often is, for the punishment of sin, which sooner or later will find out and come upon the impenitent and unpardoned sinner.

Numbers 32:23 In-Context

21 and each fighting man be armed, and pass he [over] Jordan (and cross he over the Jordan River, and remain there), till the Lord destroy his enemies,
22 and all the land be made subject to him; then ye shall be made guiltless with God, and with Israel, and ye shall wield the countries, which ye will, before the Lord. (and all the land be made subject to him; then ye shall have fulfilled your obligation to God, and to Israel, and ye shall possess the land, which ye desire, in the sight of the Lord.)
23 But if ye do not that, that ye say, it is no doubt to any man, that not ye sin against God; and know ye, that your sin shall take (hold of) you. (But if ye do not do what ye say ye will, no one shall have any doubt, but that ye have sinned against God; and know ye, that your sin shall catch up with you.)
24 Therefore build ye cities to your little children, and folds, and stables to your sheep, and to beasts; and [ful]fill ye that, that ye have promised. (And so build ye cities for your little children, and folds for your sheep, and stables for your beasts; but then fulfill ye, what ye have promised to do.)
25 And the sons of Gad and of Reuben said to Moses, We be thy servants; we shall do that, that our lord commandeth.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.