Deuteronomy 1:43
So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill.
Original Language Analysis
וָֽאֲדַבֵּ֥ר
So I spake
H1696
וָֽאֲדַבֵּ֥ר
So I spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 11
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֑ם
unto you and ye would not hear
H8085
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֑ם
unto you and ye would not hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
4 of 11
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וַתַּמְרוּ֙
but rebelled
H4784
וַתַּמְרוּ֙
but rebelled
Strong's:
H4784
Word #:
5 of 11
to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פִּ֣י
against the commandment
H6310
פִּ֣י
against the commandment
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
7 of 11
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
Describes Israel's reckless military campaign circa 1445 BC despite Moses' explicit warning. They advanced into the hill country without the Ark of the Covenant, without Moses' leadership, and crucially, without God's presence or blessing. This unauthorized offensive against the Amalekites and Canaanites ended in catastrophic defeat (Numbers 14:45).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Israel's pattern of double rebellion (refusing to go when commanded, going when forbidden) reveal the human heart's fundamental self-will?
- What does 'going up presumptuously' teach about the danger of religious activity undertaken in disobedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Israel's persistent rebellion—'ye would not hear, but rebelled'—demonstrates the pattern of covenant violation. The Hebrew 'tamaradu' (rebelled) indicates willful defiance of divine authority. Having rejected God's command to advance in faith, they now reject His command to refrain. This double rebellion reveals the human heart's natural enmity against God (Romans 8:7). Their presumption in going up 'presumptuously' (Hebrew 'zidu') without authorization illustrates that disobedience takes many forms—both refusal to act in faith and unauthorized religious zeal stem from the same root of self-will.