Deuteronomy 1:41
Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽתַּעֲנ֣וּ׀
Then ye answered
H6030
וַֽתַּעֲנ֣וּ׀
Then ye answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
חָטָאנוּ֮
unto me We have sinned
H2398
חָטָאנוּ֮
unto me We have sinned
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
יְהוָ֣ה
according to all that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
according to all that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לַֽעֲלֹ֥ת
to go up
H5927
לַֽעֲלֹ֥ת
to go up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
7 of 21
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
כְּכֹ֥ל
H3605
כְּכֹ֥ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֣ה
according to all that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
according to all that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ
our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
13 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וַֽתַּחְגְּר֗וּ
us And when ye had girded
H2296
וַֽתַּחְגְּר֗וּ
us And when ye had girded
Strong's:
H2296
Word #:
14 of 21
to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)
אִ֚ישׁ
on every man
H376
אִ֚ישׁ
on every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
15 of 21
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כְּלֵ֣י
his weapons
H3627
כְּלֵ֣י
his weapons
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
17 of 21
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
מִלְחַמְתּ֔וֹ
of war
H4421
מִלְחַמְתּ֔וֹ
of war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
18 of 21
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
וַתָּהִ֖ינוּ
ye were ready
H1951
וַתָּהִ֖ינוּ
ye were ready
Strong's:
H1951
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, to be naught, i.e., (figuratively) to be (causatively, act) light
Historical Context
Occurred immediately after God's judgment at Kadesh-barnea (Numbers 14:39-45). Despite Moses' warning that the LORD was not with them, Israel presumed to attack the Amalekites and Canaanites dwelling in the hill country. This battle happened circa 1445 BC, shortly after the failed spy mission.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Israel's presumptuous 'repentance' warn against trying to earn God's favor through self-directed religious activity?
- What does this verse teach about the importance of submitting to God's sovereign timing rather than presuming upon His grace?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Israel's presumptuous response—'We have sinned...we will go up and fight'—reveals superficial repentance and self-sufficiency. True repentance submits to God's declared will; false repentance tries to earn restoration through religious activity. The phrase 'ye were ready to go up' (Hebrew 'tahinnu') suggests reckless presumption. They had refused to advance in faith when God commanded; now they presume to advance after God forbade it. This illustrates the Reformed doctrine that genuine conversion involves submitting to God's sovereign timing, not manipulating circumstances through presumptuous works.