Deuteronomy 9:23
Likewise when the LORD sent you from Kadesh-barnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you; then ye rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God, and ye believed him not, nor hearkened to his voice.
Original Language Analysis
וּבִשְׁלֹ֨חַ
sent
H7971
וּבִשְׁלֹ֨חַ
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 24
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יְהוָה֙
Likewise when the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
Likewise when the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶתְכֶ֗ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֗ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בַּרְנֵ֙עַ֙
you from Kadeshbarnea
H6947
בַּרְנֵ֙עַ֙
you from Kadeshbarnea
Strong's:
H6947
Word #:
5 of 24
kadesh-barnea, a place in the desert
עֲלוּ֙
Go up
H5927
עֲלוּ֙
Go up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
7 of 24
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
וּרְשׁ֣וּ
and possess
H3423
וּרְשׁ֣וּ
and possess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
8 of 24
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֖תִּי
which I have given
H5414
נָתַ֖תִּי
which I have given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
12 of 24
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וַתַּמְר֗וּ
you then ye rebelled
H4784
וַתַּמְר֗וּ
you then ye rebelled
Strong's:
H4784
Word #:
14 of 24
to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פִּ֤י
against the commandment
H6310
פִּ֤י
against the commandment
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
16 of 24
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יְהוָה֙
Likewise when the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
Likewise when the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔ם
your God
H430
אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 24
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
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הֶֽאֱמַנְתֶּם֙
and ye believed
H539
הֶֽאֱמַנְתֶּם֙
and ye believed
Strong's:
H539
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
22 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Hebrews 4:2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.Isaiah 63:10But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.Psalms 78:22Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:
Historical Context
The Kadesh-Barnea rebellion occurred after the twelve spies returned from reconnoitering Canaan. Ten spies gave a negative report focusing on obstacles; only Joshua and Caleb urged faithful obedience. The people believed the fearful majority rather than God's promise.
As consequence, God decreed that generation would die in the wilderness. Only their children, along with Joshua and Caleb, would enter the Promised Land forty years later.
Questions for Reflection
- How does unbelief manifest in practical disobedience to God's clear commands?
- What obstacles tempt you to doubt God's promises despite His proven faithfulness?
- Why is listening to faithless voices more natural than trusting God's word?
- How does the Kadesh rebellion illustrate the principle that unbelief excludes from rest (Hebrews 3-4)?
- What does it mean that God had already 'given' them the land before they possessed it?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Likewise when the LORD sent you from Kadeshbarnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you; then ye rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God, and ye believed him not, nor hearkened unto his voice. The rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea represents Israel's decisive failure - when commanded to enter the Promised Land, they refused in unbelief. This sin cost an entire generation their inheritance.
The phrase possess the land which I have given you emphasizes the certainty of God's promise. The land was already theirs by divine decree; they needed only to take what God had granted. Their refusal demonstrated fundamental unbelief in God's word and power.
Three progressive failures are identified: ye rebelled (active disobedience), believed him not (lack of faith), and hearkened not (refused to hear). Unbelief manifests in rebellion, and rebellion stems from failure to believe God's promises. Hebrews 3-4 later expounds this incident as warning against hardening hearts through unbelief.
Reformed theology sees here the essential nature of faith - not mere intellectual assent but trusting obedience that acts on God's word. Saving faith always results in obedience; faith without works is dead.