Deuteronomy 1:45
And ye returned and wept before the LORD; but the LORD would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear unto you.
Original Language Analysis
וַתָּשֻׁ֥בוּ
And ye returned
H7725
וַתָּשֻׁ֥בוּ
And ye returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 11
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 11
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָה֙
but the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
but the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמַ֤ע
would not hearken
H8085
שָׁמַ֤ע
would not hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
6 of 11
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָה֙
but the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
but the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
Set at Kadesh-barnea circa 1445 BC immediately following Israel's catastrophic defeat. After suffering severe casualties in their presumptuous attack, Israel wept before the tabernacle. However, their tears stemmed from consequences (defeat, loss) rather than contrition over covenant violation. This superficial sorrow could not reverse God's declared judgment of 40 years wilderness wandering.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's refusal to hear Israel's weeping distinguish between worldly sorrow and godly repentance?
- What does this passage teach about God's sovereign freedom to grant or withhold mercy according to His purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Israel's weeping before the LORD appears as genuine remorse, yet God's refusal to hear reveals it as worldly sorrow, not godly repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). The Hebrew 'lo-shama' (would not hearken) demonstrates that God sovereignly determines when to extend mercy. This verse illustrates the Reformed doctrine of divine sovereignty in salvation—God is not obligated to respond favorably to human emotions or religious performances. The repetition 'the LORD would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear' emphasizes God's judicial hardening following persistent rebellion. True repentance requires brokenness over sin itself, not merely its consequences.