Deuteronomy 3:26

Authorized King James Version

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But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּתְעַבֵּ֨ר was wroth H5674
וַיִּתְעַבֵּ֨ר was wroth
Strong's: H5674
Word #: 1 of 19
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
יְהוָ֤ה But the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֤ה But the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בִּי֙ H0
בִּי֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 3 of 19
לְמַ֣עַנְכֶ֔ם H4616
לְמַ֣עַנְכֶ֔ם
Strong's: H4616
Word #: 4 of 19
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
וְלֹ֥א H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 5 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמַ֖ע with me for your sakes and would not hear H8085
שָׁמַ֖ע with me for your sakes and would not hear
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 6 of 19
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֵלָ֑י H413
אֵלָ֑י
Strong's: H413
Word #: 7 of 19
near, with or among; often in general, to
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר said H559
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 8 of 19
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֤ה But the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֤ה But the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 9 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֵלַי֙ H413
אֵלַי֙
Strong's: H413
Word #: 10 of 19
near, with or among; often in general, to
רַב unto me Let it suffice H7227
רַב unto me Let it suffice
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 11 of 19
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
לָ֔ךְ H0
לָ֔ךְ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 12 of 19
אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 13 of 19
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תּ֗וֹסֶף no more H3254
תּ֗וֹסֶף no more
Strong's: H3254
Word #: 14 of 19
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
דַּבֵּ֥ר thee speak H1696
דַּבֵּ֥ר thee speak
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 15 of 19
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֵלַ֛י H413
אֵלַ֛י
Strong's: H413
Word #: 16 of 19
near, with or among; often in general, to
ע֖וֹד H5750
ע֖וֹד
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 17 of 19
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
בַּדָּבָ֥ר unto me of this matter H1697
בַּדָּבָ֥ר unto me of this matter
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 18 of 19
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַזֶּֽה׃ H2088
הַזֶּֽה׃
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 19 of 19
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis & Commentary

God's response—'the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes'—reveals that Moses' consequences resulted from Israel's provocation. The command 'would not hear me' shows even persistent, passionate prayer doesn't guarantee the answer we desire. God's refusal 'speak no more unto me of this matter' establishes boundaries—some decisions are final. Submission to God's 'no' is as important as faith for His 'yes.'

Historical Context

Moses' sin at Meribah occurred because Israel's rebellion provoked him to angry disobedience (Psalm 106:32-33). Though Moses bore personal responsibility, the people's pattern of complaint contributed to his failure. This illustrates how sustained exposure to negativity can erode even strong leadership, requiring vigilant self-control.

Questions for Reflection

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