Numbers 14:25
(Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley.) To morrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָֽעֲמָלֵקִ֥י
Now the Amalekites
H6003
וְהָֽעֲמָלֵקִ֥י
Now the Amalekites
Strong's:
H6003
Word #:
1 of 12
an amalekite (or collectively the amalekites) or descendants of amalek
וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י
and the Canaanites
H3669
וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י
and the Canaanites
Strong's:
H3669
Word #:
2 of 12
a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c
יוֹשֵׁ֣ב
dwelt
H3427
יוֹשֵׁ֣ב
dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
מָחָ֗ר
To morrow
H4279
מָחָ֗ר
To morrow
Strong's:
H4279
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
פְּנ֨וּ
turn
H6437
פְּנ֨וּ
turn
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
6 of 12
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
וּסְע֥וּ
you and get
H5265
וּסְע֥וּ
you and get
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
הַמִּדְבָּ֖ר
you into the wilderness
H4057
הַמִּדְבָּ֖ר
you into the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
9 of 12
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
דֶּ֥רֶךְ
by the way
H1870
דֶּ֥רֶךְ
by the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
10 of 12
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Cross References
Deuteronomy 1:40But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.Numbers 13:29The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.
Historical Context
The Red Sea route meant heading back toward Egypt rather than forward to Canaan. This generation that wanted to return to Egypt (14:3-4) would indeed go that direction, though not as they imagined. They would wander in the wilderness between Canaan and Egypt until they died.
Questions for Reflection
- What progress have you forfeited through unbelief or disobedience?
- How does God discipline His people to bring them back to the path of obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God commands Israel to turn back toward the Red Sea, retracing steps already taken. This humiliating retreat was a direct consequence of unbelief—they forfeited forward progress and must return to where they began. Disobedience doesn't merely delay God's blessings; it often requires retracing steps and starting over.