Deuteronomy 2:14
And the space in which we came from Kadesh-barnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them.
Original Language Analysis
וְהַיָּמִ֞ים
And the space
H3117
וְהַיָּמִ֞ים
And the space
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 26
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
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָלַ֣כְנוּ׀
in which we came
H1980
הָלַ֣כְנוּ׀
in which we came
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
3 of 26
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עַ֤ד
H5704
עַ֤ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
6 of 26
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָבַ֙רְנוּ֙
until we were come over
H5674
עָבַ֙רְנוּ֙
until we were come over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
8 of 26
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַ֣חַל
the brook
H5158
נַ֣חַל
the brook
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
10 of 26
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
וּשְׁמֹנֶ֖ה
and eight
H8083
וּשְׁמֹנֶ֖ה
and eight
Strong's:
H8083
Word #:
13 of 26
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
15 of 26
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
תֹּ֨ם
were wasted out
H8552
תֹּ֨ם
were wasted out
Strong's:
H8552
Word #:
16 of 26
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַדּ֜וֹר
until all the generation
H1755
הַדּ֜וֹר
until all the generation
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
18 of 26
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
אַנְשֵׁ֤י
H376
אַנְשֵׁ֤י
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
19 of 26
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)
הַמִּלְחָמָה֙
of war
H4421
הַמִּלְחָמָה֙
of war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
20 of 26
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
מִקֶּ֣רֶב
from among
H7130
מִקֶּ֣רֶב
from among
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
21 of 26
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
the host
H4264
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
the host
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
22 of 26
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִשְׁבַּ֥ע
sware
H7650
נִשְׁבַּ֥ע
sware
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
24 of 26
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
Cross References
Psalms 95:11Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.Ezekiel 20:15Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;Psalms 106:26Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:Deuteronomy 1:19And when we departed from Horeb, we went through all that great and terrible wilderness, which ye saw by the way of the mountain of the Amorites, as the LORD our God commanded us; and we came to Kadesh-barnea.Deuteronomy 1:2(There are eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadesh-barnea.)Numbers 13:26And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.
Historical Context
This 38-year period (plus the initial 2 years from Egypt to Kadesh) completed the 40-year judgment pronounced in Numbers 14:33-34. The entire generation of fighting men (age 20+) who left Egypt died in the wilderness except Joshua and Caleb. This demonstrates both God's justice in judging rebellion and His faithfulness in preserving a remnant.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's faithfulness in fulfilling warnings demonstrate His trustworthiness in promises?
- What consequences of past disobedience are you living with while trusting God for future grace?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The time marker 'the space of thirty and eight years' from Kadesh-barnea to crossing Zered documents the period of wilderness wandering. The sobering fulfillment 'until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host' shows God's judgment was complete and precise. The phrase 'as the LORD sware unto them' confirms God keeps both promises and warnings—His word is reliable for blessing and judgment alike.