Deuteronomy 1:39
Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.
Original Language Analysis
וְטַפְּכֶם֩
Moreover your little ones
H2945
וְטַפְּכֶם֩
Moreover your little ones
Strong's:
H2945
Word #:
1 of 19
a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִֽהְיֶ֗ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֗ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
5 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וּ֠בְנֵיכֶם
and your children
H1121
וּ֠בְנֵיכֶם
and your children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדְע֤וּ
had no knowledge
H3045
יָדְע֤וּ
had no knowledge
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
9 of 19
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
הַיּוֹם֙
which in that day
H3117
הַיּוֹם֙
which in that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
10 of 19
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
ט֣וֹב
between good
H2896
ט֣וֹב
between good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
11 of 19
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
יָבֹ֣אוּ
they shall go in
H935
יָבֹ֣אוּ
they shall go in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
14 of 19
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
שָׁ֑מָּה
H8033
שָׁ֑מָּה
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
15 of 19
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
Cross References
Numbers 14:3And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?Romans 9:11(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)Jonah 4:11And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?Numbers 14:31But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.
Historical Context
Refers to all Israelites under age 20 at Kadesh-barnea (Numbers 14:29-31), approximately 600,000+ individuals who would enter Canaan 38 years later. This included future leaders like Joshua, who was exempt due to his faithful spy report. The phrase indicates these children, now adults, would conquer Canaan under Joshua's leadership circa 1406-1400 BC.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise to the children demonstrate His covenant faithfulness across generations?
- What does this verse teach about God's view of covenant children and their inclusion in redemptive promises?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The children, originally cited as potential captives (Numbers 14:3), become the covenant heirs who 'shall go in thither.' Their innocence—'had no knowledge between good and evil'—doesn't imply sinlessness but rather lack of covenant accountability at Kadesh-barnea. God's promise to give them the land demonstrates that His purposes span generations. The Reformed doctrine of covenant succession appears: God's promises extend to believers' children, who receive the inheritance their parents forfeited through unbelief. This prefigures the New Covenant principle that God saves households (Acts 16:31).