Numbers 14:23
Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:
Original Language Analysis
אִם
Surely they shall not
H518
אִם
Surely they shall not
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 11
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִרְאֽוּהָ׃
me see
H7200
יִרְאֽוּהָ׃
me see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
2 of 11
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 11
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 #:
5 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִשְׁבַּ֖עְתִּי
which I sware
H7650
נִשְׁבַּ֖עְתִּי
which I sware
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
6 of 11
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
לַֽאֲבֹתָ֑ם
unto their fathers
H1
לַֽאֲבֹתָ֑ם
unto their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
7 of 11
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְנַֽאֲצַ֖י
neither shall any of them that provoked
H5006
מְנַֽאֲצַ֖י
neither shall any of them that provoked
Strong's:
H5006
Word #:
9 of 11
to scorn; or (in ecclesiastes 12:5), by interchange for h5132, to bloom
Cross References
Numbers 32:11Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me:Numbers 26:64But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.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;
Historical Context
The land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:7, 26:3, 28:13) would be inherited not by the Exodus generation but by their children. God's faithfulness spans generations even when individuals fail.
Questions for Reflection
- What opportunities to obey God might you forfeit by delay and unbelief?
- How does God's faithfulness to His promises comfort you even when individuals fail?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God swears that the faithless generation 'shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers.' The irony is profound: they refused to enter when commanded, now they cannot enter when willing (v. 40-45). This illustrates the tragedy of missed opportunity when God's patience expires. Yet He remains faithful to covenant promises—their children would enter (v. 31).