Numbers 14:29
Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,
Original Language Analysis
בַּמִּדְבָּ֣ר
in this wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּ֣ר
in this wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
1 of 15
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
הַ֠זֶּה
H2088
יִפְּל֨וּ
shall fall
H5307
יִפְּל֨וּ
shall fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
3 of 15
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
פִגְרֵיכֶ֜ם
Your carcases
H6297
פִגְרֵיכֶ֜ם
Your carcases
Strong's:
H6297
Word #:
4 of 15
a carcase (as limp), whether of man or beast; figuratively, an idolatrous image
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
פְּקֻֽדֵיכֶם֙
and all that were numbered
H6485
פְּקֻֽדֵיכֶם֙
and all that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
6 of 15
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִסְפַּרְכֶ֔ם
of you according to your whole number
H4557
מִסְפַּרְכֶ֔ם
of you according to your whole number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
8 of 15
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
מִבֶּ֛ן
old
H1121
מִבֶּ֛ן
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וָמָ֑עְלָה
and upward
H4605
וָמָ֑עְלָה
and upward
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
12 of 15
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Numbers 1:45So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel;Hebrews 3:17But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?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.1 Corinthians 10:5But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Historical Context
No recorded instance exists of the earth opening to swallow people alive prior to this event. This 'new thing' served as supernatural vindication of Moses' authority and warning against rebellion.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God sometimes use unprecedented miracles to vindicate His servants and judge rebellion?
- How do divine judgments in Scripture serve as warnings to future generations?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God promises an unprecedented sign: 'if the LORD make a new thing' (Hebrew 'beriah', create something new) and the earth swallows the rebels, then Israel will know 'these men have provoked the LORD.' This creative miracle would unmistakably demonstrate divine judgment, removing any doubt about who was truly God's representative. The phrase 'go down quick into the pit' (alive into Sheol) indicates conscious descent into death.